Lamb of God and the Table of Grace

St. Stephen’s UCC                                                                            August 2, 2026

Lamb of God and the Table of Grace

John 1:29-34; 1 Peter 1:18, 19;  2: 24, 25.

The apostle Peter draws us close. He reminds us that we were ransomed, with the precious blood of Christ—like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. This is the gospel-the good news: a perfect life given for imperfect people. A spotless Lamb for a stained humanity.

Jesus, the Lamb, Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree. By His wounds you have been healed. This is personal mercy. Your sin borne. Your wounds addressed. Your soul restored.

Our merciful God gives us a gift – a way to witness and receive it.

That gift is Holy Communion. At this Table, the Lamb of God is set before us—not crucified again, but remembered, proclaimed, and truly given to us in grace. And Christ says, “This is my body, given for you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.” What was accomplished once for all on the cross is now placed into your hands as a promise. Not repeated. But received. God takes what is ordinary—bread and cup—and fills it with extraordinary grace. Communion is not for the perfect; it is for the ransomed—that is, for you and for me.

Witness the Lamb of God—not just to be seen, but to be received.

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

 

Witness the Lamb in silent mercy given,

Whose wounded side pours grace upon the earth;

The spotless Son, the sacrifice of heaven,

Through death bestows a sinner’s second birth.

 

Our griefs He bears, our wandering souls he claims,

The weight of sin upon His shoulders laid;

Love writes redemption in eternal flames,

And darkness trembles at the price He paid.

 

Yet still He calls us to His sacred feast,

Where broken bread reveals His living grace,

The cup declares the covenant increased,

And mercy meets us, face to wounded face.

O Lamb of God, our hearts in awe proclaim:

Through bread and cup, we know your saving name.

Ned Holderby August 02, 2026 Lamb and communion

 

In the love of Christ,

Ned