When my Dad and brother and I used to deer hunt, we would bring venison home. It’s the best meat I’ve ever tasted that wasn’t cured. A specific, natural taste you don’t find anywhere else. And people call it “gamy”; write articles on how to cover it up or disguise it.

I’ve always thought it tasted something like blood. A reminder of where we got it.

A reminder that God created animals as miracles of engineering, muscle and bone and tendons connecting. That God created animals and declared them “good” (Genesis 1:25).

A reminder that God slaughtered an animal to clothe His children, when we disobeyed Him and discovered shame (3:21).

A reminder that when the world was cursed because of us, and became thorny and hostile, and we could only grow food by labor and sweat (3:17-19). . . that then God gave us flesh to eat as well (9:2-3).

That when the Law was too hard for us, when we failed at perfection, Jesus said instead, “this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).