Take it, Lassie, It's Meant for Sinners

Eucharistic Meditation | Lord's Day—March 23, AD 2025

Each week when we come to this Table we remember that our Lord Jesus died, and that He died for our sin. "He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, so that by His wounds we would be healed" (Isa. 53:5). And so this meal is a reminder of our sin, but even more so, it is a reminder of Christ’s great love. It is His great love for you, that has bought you in blood and seated you at His Table. 

This covenant meal then is for repentant and forgiven sinners. Do you know of your need for Christ? That apart from Him and the grace of God that you have no right to be here? Then you are most welcome. For this bread and this wine are symbols of forgiveness. And to receive them is not to confess your own righteousness, but to confess your sin, to confess your faith in Christ, and to embrace the mercy of your God.

There is an old story regarding a Scottish minister named John Duncan, who once noticed in his congregation a godly young woman who was distraught over her sinfulness as they celebrated the Lord’s Supper, to the point of her refusing the cup. And so he went to her, and he comforted her with these words, “Take it, Lassie! It’s meant for sinners.” 

It’s meant for sinners. 

This cup of the new covenant is a cup of reconciliation. Far from disqualifying her, this woman’s acknowledgment of her own unworthiness demonstrated that she belonged at that Table – there was a seat reserved for her by her Savior. As King David wrote, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). 

Like this woman, you may be burdened this morning with lingering shame of your sin. You have confessed it, you have sought forgiveness, and you are trying to walk in the light – but you still remember it all too clearly. And so what you need to do now is look to Christ, thank Him for His forgiveness, and receive Him now in faith. 

And having done that: Come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.