‘Which Is Shed For Many’

‘Which is Shed For Many’

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:28

As we continue to meditate upon the Communion Feast and the thankfulness it engenders in us, we come to consider the company of those for whom Christ died.  Christ is quite explicit about who these people are.  He says, among other things, ‘I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.’  Later in that same passage, He reiterates, ‘I lay down My life for the sheep.’  He is also clear that there were others who were not His.  He remarks to His enemies, ‘you are not of My sheep.’  He makes the distinction, in Matthew 25, between the ‘sheep’ and the ‘goats.’  This brings us back to His statement in our text, that His Blood is shed for many.  We need not fear that Christ is somehow being miserly with His redemption.  In truth, the redeemed are ‘a great multitude, which no man can number.’  If, ‘in all things (Christ) must have the preeminence,’ then the number of the redeemed is likely greater than the number of the unredeemed.  How thankful we are that Christ has included us in that number.  We do not deserve it.  We can take no credit for it.  We marvel at it.  As we come to the Table, we come with an overwhelming thankfulness that God has chosen us in Christ, and that Christ has shed His Blood for us.

Our Living and Sovereign God,
we rejoice in Your Plan and Purpose of redemption.
We praise You that Christ has shed His blood for the many,
and that His Work is well done.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning