Scripture reading 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Take and Eat
Take, eat; this is my body. (Matthew 26:26)
“Take and eat,” the Tempter said, and pointing to the tree, I saw a luscious piece of fruit, so beautiful to see.
Suspended there so daintily, between the earth and sky,
Its powerful attraction stopped my steps as I passed by.
“Forbidden fruit tastes wonderful, and it will make you wise
It proves that you’re the one in charge and opens wide your eyes.
You cannot trust this God of yours, he’s holding out on you Are you convinced his love is real and that his word is true?”
Ravenous cravings of desire Set my lusting soul on fire! How I long to fill the hole, Quench this raging in my soul; Maybe if this food I tried My hunger would be satisfied.
And so I took and ate the food he offered me that day,
And fell into a life of sin and self-absorbed decay.
I lived my life cut off from God and from the tree of life,
And wandered in an alien land of wickedness and strife.
O God, my appetites are such, I fear sin’s strong attraction Will cause me to drift far from you in search of satisfaction.
If only there were stronger food, to counteract the yearning
That gnaws within me constantly and keeps my passions burning.
“Take and eat,” the Savior said, and pointing to the tree,
I saw a sight that gripped my heart; transfixed, I stopped to see.
Suspended there so tortuously between the earth and sky, The Lamb of God was dying in my place; I wondered Why?
“My body is the food you crave, my blood will quench your thirst;
Your hungers will be satisfied when this meal you seek first.
The food is good, the meal is free, so come as you are able
You’ll find that sin has lost its power as you come to the table.
Ravenous cravings of desire Set my lusting soul on fire! How I long to fill the hole, Quench this raging in my soul; Maybe if this food I tried My hunger would be satisfied.
The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the x-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. —John Piper
point to ponder • You are what you eat.
prayer focus • Hungers and desires that rage. Look to the cross.