Scapegoat

Leviticus 16:6-28

Today’s reading from Leviticus describes what Aaron must do to atone for his sins and the sins of the Israelites.  There’s an awful lot of steps he must take, but then again this is the Old Testament where rituals and sacrifices were commonplace.

Thanks be to God for sending his Son so that today’s story is quite different.  No longer are we required to slaughter bulls and goats and then sprinkle blood with our finger seven times before the atonement cover.

No, the ultimate sacrifice was made by way of Jesus’s death on the cross.  He shed his blood for our sins.  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering (Isaiah 53:4).

Jesus became the new scapegoat.

In Leviticus 16:21-22, Aaron is to “lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.”

Hebrews 9:11-14 gives us a new story, one to rejoice over: But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Witnessing Old Testament foretelling come to light in the New Testament is fascinating.

Thank you, Father, for fulfilling your promises and giving us the ultimate gift of mercy - a willing scapegoat for our sins. 

Eat and Drink

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

I grew up in the Catholic church, so at the age of eight, I began receiving communion at least once a week depending on how many times we went to Mass.  There’s no doubt that over the years, I have taken communion for granted.

Even as an adult, worshipping in the Lutheran church, I don’t always stop to think about what I’m doing.  Once a month, I get up when instructed, eat the bread, drink the wine and sit back down.  Am I humbling myself before taking on the body and blood of Christ?  No.

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to receive their friend’s offering.  How special that meal must have been!  But because we weren’t there when Jesus broke the bread and took the cup, we may feel like we aren’t experiencing the same supper that Peter, John and the others did.  But we are!

Every time we accept the bread and wine, Jesus is with us.  Catholics and Lutherans believe that during communion, the bread IS Jesus’s body and the wine his blood.  They are not symbols, but the real deal.  That’s why it’s so important that we take time to pause and acknowledge what’s happening.  We are taking on Jesus.  He is becoming part of us and we are experiencing Him in a way that’s uniquely different than reading the Bible or praying.  This sacramental encounter has the power to transform us like no other.  We must not take it for granted.

Father, thank you for giving us your Son who died and offered us his body and blood.  May we remember how precious a gift the Eucharist is and acknowledge your presence.  “For when we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again” (Liturgy of the Eucharist).  Amen

The Endless Meal

Luke 22:7-20

Though called “the Last Supper” it was truly the beginning.

Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you….” NIV

Reflecting on my childhood, I recall a large, rectangular, paint by number Last Supper picture that hung on the wall of my grandparents’ home near the kerosene heater my grandfather called “the oil burner.” It warmed their modest living quarters, and kept my grandfather busy monitoring the level of the oil.

 My grandmother patiently followed the number chart, intricately stroking the robe and face of each disciple. I saw the completed painting as a masterpiece. Gazing up at the scene from a mere three feet, my perspective was one of awe, respect, and admiration. I imagined what it would be like to have been at the table sharing bread with Jesus himself.

My observation was one of a young child of God, seeing the surface event rather than the long-standing, symbolic meaning it truly held.

Imagine the perspective of Jesus during this “supper.” Food and drink were not the focus, but instead, the undeserved reward for us, the children of God. The promise of eternal life for the multitudes not even born yet, as he prepared to sacrifice his body and blood.

Communion with other believers is our opportunity to re-enact this historic event. To honorably recognize the sacrifice of the Trinity, and acknowledge the meaning of “given for you” and “poured out for you” is a tremendous privilege. 

May the image of this meal be etched in our minds as not a social event, but the beginning of something new.  A pledge of God’s endless love.  Because we are his children, he will forever nourish us with this “Endless Meal.” 

Read/Listen to Luke 22:7-20