A WHOLE OFFERING by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 14, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 28.

A WHOLE OFFERING.

By W. N. G.

IN the eleventh chapter of 1 Corinthians, verse 24, referring to the institution of the Lord’s supper, we read that Jesus took bread, “and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you.” The Revised Version and Rotherham’s Version omit the word “broken.” This is worthy of notice, as the expression “the broken body of Christ” is very commonly used, and it is evidently erroneous. None of the evangelists use the word “broken.” Luke has it, “This is my body which is given for you.” Chapter 22:19. Matthew and Mark simply say, “This is My body.”

Christ is everywhere presented in the Scriptures as a whole offering. In giving directions concerning the Passover lamb, the Lord said, “In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth aught of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.” Ex. 12:46. David refers to this in Ps. 34:20: “He keepeth all His bones; not one of them is broken.” When officers were sent to break the legs of the victims on the day of the Crucifixion, they broke the legs of the thieves, but, on coming to Jesus, they found that He was dead, and “they brake not His legs.” Thus was fulfilled the scripture which says, “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” See John 19:31-37. Christ’s body was stricken, wounded, bruised (Isa. 53:4, 5, 10), and pierced (Zech. 12:10; John 19:34), but it was not broken. Christ can not be divided amongst the believers; each one receives a whole Saviour; nothing short of this would suffice as a substitute for the sinner. It would have required the whole offering for one sinner’s salvation just as much as for the whole world. His body was given for you. He suffered for you, “the just for the unjust.” He is now making intercession for those who will accept His services at the judgment bar. Now is the time for you to employ Him as your Counselor. His word is, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

W. N. G.