WE HAVE AN ALTAR!

The people of God are blessed with a degree of participation never known before the glorification of Christ Jesus. In salvation, we become capable of imbibing the Divine Nature--a requisite to eternal life.

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Heb 13:9-14).

Devotion 8 of 12

CHRIST IS TO BE EATEN

The Word of God reminds us that "Christ" is "our Passover," and was "sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). The clear reference is to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The evening of their departure, they were to kill a lamb, apply its blood to the door posts, and consume it in a solemn meal.

At this point we touch upon a vital aspect of salvation. When Jesus spoke of this matter, His words were characterized by the greatest solemnity and blessing. "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh. The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying How can this man give us His flesh to eat? Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever" (John 6:51-58, NASB).

This was a highly offensive word to Christ's listeners. They equated His words with cannibalism, and Jesus did nothing to change their minds. The way Jesus stated the case appeared to justify the conclusion of the people. Christ uses the word "flesh" five times in John 6:51-56. All five references use the word "sarx." There is no question about what this word means etymologically. "Flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit] . . . "

The term "blood" comes from "aima." This word means "blood, literally (of men or animals) . . . "

The word "eat" comes from "phagate" (v.53) and "trogon" (v.54,56,57). The first word means "to eat, meat." The second is even more precise. " . . . the idea of a crunching sound; to gnaw or chew, i.e., (generally) to eat." This text cannot be comprehended etymologically. It requires some understanding of the ceremonies of Law, instituted by God to foreshadow coming realities. As with all key words in Scripture, Divine meanings are assigned to, what men conceive as, ordinary words.

The clear reference is to the eating of the sacrifices of old. Christ's hearers did not make the connection, and He made no further effort to clarify the matter to them. His action was determined by the hardness of their hearts.

Suffice it to say, this is one of our Lord's most serious words. Although it is rare to hear the text proclaimed, it is an essential part of the faith life. Unless a person ingests the Son of God, there is no hope of possessing eternal life. Aloofness from God, and salvation from sin, cannot be put together. Let it be clear, we were saved from the guilt and power of sin in order to partake of Christ (Heb 3:14). If that partaking does not take place, there can be no participation in the great salvation of God.

These disheartening words are written concerning the impact of Christ's words upon the hearers. "After this many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him" (John 6:66, NIV). They were offended by His word, and wanted nothing more to do with Him. It appears that this remains a dividing point among professed followers of Jesus. Myriad are willing to follow a routine, make a profession, and subscribe to a creed in the name of Christ. They are not, however, willing to imbibe His Person. They have no desire to have their lives "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). But God will have no such arrangement!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You through Christ for providing a salvation in which we partake of the supreme sacrifice, and ingest the Savior Himself.

-- Tomorrow: IS THIS REFERRING TO THE LORD'S TABLE? --