Saving Us from Ourselves

Even when we are trying to “do the right thing,” ignorance gets us into mistakes and sins that range from minor to major. The Proverbial writer noted long ago, “There’s a way that seems right, but it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Jesus’ amazing words on the cross were, “Forgive them, Father; they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34). In the early days of the church, Peter told the Jewish crowd, “You killed the Prince of life. . . . I know you did it in ignorance as did your rulers” (Acts 3:14, 17). Much later Paul, the “chief of sinners,” told Timothy, “I received forgiveness because I did it ignorantly in disbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13).

These comments apply to us too. Our situation comes from what we have done whether by ignorance or weakness, and it is reversed by forgiveness from the one we have sinned against. It is a big relief to have someone give us a way out of a serious situation, especially if it costs as much as this one did. He gave his body and blood to make that possible. Taking these emblems of his body and blood pictures our appreciation for what he gave as well as our accepting the salvation that his giving made available to each of us who partakes.