Allergy
Originally scheduled for July 3
One of the more annoying medical procedures is to be tested for a
series of allergies. In some cases, allergies can be a cause of
death; therefore, care and precaution are required in preparing an
allergy test.
First, the allergist prepares a series of small samples to be used
to determine if you are allergic to the particular item in question.
Note the word “small.” The intention is to find out if you’re
allergic to the substance, not to see if we can kill you with it.
Second, that small sample is injected just under the skin or in any
other appropriate location. Locations are carefully marked so that
if you’re testing many samples you know which ones produce the
reaction. The idea is that the samples just big enough to produce
the reaction without producing any harmful effects.
Finally, of course, the results are observed after a suitable
waiting.. It may be as helpful to know your non-allergies as well as
your allergies.
There is a similar test for Christians:
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and
people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works
were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and
does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
(John 3:19-20 ESV)
The Christian allergy test follows a similar
procedure. There is a small reminder in the form of communion. It is
applied rather formally and solemnly, as is appropriate. You may
then observe the results. Did you examine yourself, or simply go
through the motions of a common ritual?
Communion is a time
for self-examination it is a reminder that the Light of the World
has come and has been displayed to us quite clearly. Consider, too,
the price that was paid for that display — the Cross.
Communion
is also a reminder that you need to Savior. If we were not sinners,
he would not have needed to make such a sacrifice on the Cross. It
is not open to question whether or not we are all sinners. The
question is, “what am I going to do about it?” The answer is best
determined by your response to the Light. Do you move towards that
Light, or away from it? Strange as it may sound, you have a choice
as to whether or not you are allergic to the Light.
