Taste and See

Welcome to the Unfettered Grace blog! It is indeed a challenge to start a new blog and bring something new to the blogosphere. There is a myriad of blogs devoted to everything imaginable out there. The only novelty I can promise to bring is myself - my opinions, quirky remarks, and beliefs. So, come along and enjoy the ride.

Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

This is a frequently quoted verse that is often turned into nothing more than an evangelistic cliche. But the depth of this verse goes far beyond a slogan or a postlude to the Romans Road. During the Lenten worship service tonight at church, we sang a communion hymn that gave me some insight into this passage from the Psalms, especially in the context of New Testament Christianity:

What is this bread? Christ's body risen from the dead: This bread we break, This life we take, Was crushed to pay for our release. Oh, taste and see - the Lord is peace.

What is this wine? The blood of Jesus shed for mine; The cup of grace brings His embrace of life and love until I sing! Oh taste and see - the Lord is King.

So who am I, that I should live and He should die under the rod? My God, my God, Why have you not forsaken me? Oh, taste and see - the Lord is free.

Yet is God here? Oh, yes! By Word and promise clear. In mouth and soul He makes us whole - Christ, truly present in this meal. Oh, taste and see - the Lord is free.

Is this for me? I am forgiven and set free! I do believe that I receive His very body and His blood. Oh taste and see - the Lord is good.
"What is this Bread?" - Fred and Jean Baue, Copyright 1998

So often we read verses such as these and gloss over them as irrelevant to our lives. We Christians have already "tasted" of the Lord - and we know he is good. But this isn't just a one time event that happens in our lives. The psalmist had tasted the goodness of the Lord as well, but that did not stop him from penning this psalm, which also urges saints of the Lord to fear God, cry out to God, magnify God, etc. Just as we constantly must fear God, cry out to God, and magnify God, we must also continually taste of the Lord's goodness. For those of us who believe in the real presence in communion (Lutherans, Episcopalians, Catholics, etc.), the Lord's Supper is the most tangible way that we can accomplish this. Receiving Christ's body and blood in the sacrament of Holy Communion is indeed an amazing experience that draws us close to Christ, remembering what he did for us on the cross while being reminded that He is coming again in power and great glory. Taste of what he did for you on the cross...see that the Lord is good, and that his mercy does indeed endure forever. But there are many other ways we can "taste and see" as well: taste and see that the Lord is good when Christ's love and compassion shines through in someone's life - when a soul is saved - when a sinner repents - when a person is baptized - when God bestows blessings - when a Pastor faithfully preaches the Word - and in every instance in which God is involved. Taste...see...trust...be blessed.

May Christ richly bless those who read this blog, and may you experience the riches of His unfettered grace.