Heidelberg Catechism
"Question 76. What is it then to eat the crucified body, and drink the shed blood of Christ?
Answer: It is not only to embrace with believing heart all the sufferings and death of Christ and thereby to obtain the pardon of sin, and life eternal; (a) but also, besides that, to become more and more united to his sacred body, (b) by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in Christ and in us; so that we, though Christ is in heaven (c) and we on earth, are notwithstanding "flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone" (d) and that we live, and are governed forever by one spirit, (e) as members of the same body are by one soul."
I just returned from a solo road trip to California, and this past week, was my first Lord's Day back. The church 'care group' to which Rick and I belong, has been making its way through Kevin DeYoung's fine book, 'The Good News We Almost Forgot', which takes the reader systematically through each Lord's Day. This last Sunday we came to Lord's Day 28, which contains the above question.
From time to time I have had occasion to ponder the Christian's state of being sojourners and pilgrims in this world. I think the answer to Question 76 brings out an important point regarding that fact. Christ is, indeed, in Heaven and we, His followers, are on earth, but we are UNITED, '...flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone...' together, though separated by a vast gulf!
David M. VanDrunen, WSC, puts it this way:
"....The New Testament refers to Christians as
“sojourners and exiles” in this world (1 Peter 1:1, 17; 2:11). By God’s grace in Christ we are already citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20), but we live temporarily away from home, “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:15)....
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| Rick and new friend, Kiki! |
I enjoyed seeing friends and family in California, and I felt so welcome in the fellowship in which I joyfully found myself, but it was an even GREATER joy to return to my earthly beloved, Rick! In our brief sojourn, I've gotten quite fond of this dear man - and it's only been thirty-nine years!
I don't know about you, but I find it quite a comfort to realize I'm just 'temporarily' living away from home', but some day, I get to return for the first time to my Beloved who has known me and loved me from the foundation of the world!
1 comment:
As we continue to study and grow in God, our journey should be to look forward to the end. With full assurance that we will see our maker. As Job said "I know that my redeemer livith", while he was in the dust and covered in sores. If we could only be so courages even in our smallest trials.
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