Exemption
Originally scheduled for January 14
Americans love a good story about government bumbling
inefficiency, especially when it concerns the Army. One such tale
made the rounds during the Vietnam War. The story goes that a young
man had lost both of his legs in a traffic accident. As this was a
disability which hardly needs medical verification — I mean, he is
missing his legs — he saw no reason to inform his draft board by
submitting a medical record from a doctor. It should be sufficient,
he reasoned, just to show them the fact that his legs were missing.
According to the story, it was not sufficient. He was duly ordered
to report to be shipped to an induction center. Even getting on the
bus with the drill sergeant present made no difference. The story
says that he finally was caught up by the system when he asked for
shorts instead of G.I. pants when being issued his uniforms. Someone
then thought to send him over to the hospital where it was
discovered that he was unfit for service. Imagine that!
I
bring the story to your attention after having discovered that the
Hebrew word we usually translate as “Passover” literally means
exemption. If you look at the end original instructions for Passover
you will see that Moses was quite strict about where the blood was
to be placed on the door posts, what was to be eaten is the Passover
meal and how it was to be handled. It was not sufficient just to be
Jewish; you had to apply for the exemption in the way God
prescribed. This is a distinct imperative as well in the New
Testament. We are told that those whose names are written in the
“Book of Life” are those who are to be saved. God insists that you
go through the formalities so that he knows that you really mean to
be saved. There is a definite difference between someone who has
been baptized in someone who has not. If you don’t follow the
directions, you don’t get the exemption.
In a small way this
also applies to communion. He told you exactly how he wants it done.
You are to take the bread — adapted from the Passover feast — and
eat it. As you do, you are to see his body and remember his bodily
sacrifice. Likewise with the cup; you are to see his blood. You are
to remember that he bled and died for your sins. The entire ceremony
is to be done in remembrance of his sacrifice.
So as you partake
today, remember that he gave you directions on what you are supposed
to do. Follow them carefully and respectfully. Examine yourself,
repent and partake with his sacrifice and atonement in mind. As one
old man put it, “do it God’s way the first time — it works.”
