Do we remember with gratitude the gift of forgiveness?Today's Scripture:
As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:26
Every time you take part in Communion at church, you are preaching a silent sermon. The message you are sharing proclaims the truth that Jesus willingly gave his body and his blood through death on a cross so you could spend eternity with him. It is a message that carries multiple emotions. Sorrow over Jesus's suffering. Joy over his resurrection. Gratitude for the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.
The power of remembrance can become meaningless ritual if you allow your actions to become automatic.
That is when you cease to proclaim, or to make public, the message Jesus shared during his Last Supper. It was at that final meal with his disciples that Jesus first used bread and wine as symbols for his own sacrifice. It was there that he explained that his broken body and spilled blood sealed God's New Covenant with his followers. The Old Covenant that temporarily covered a person's sins through animal sacrifice was null and void. The New Covenant of absolute forgiveness was available to all.
Jesus asked his followers to keep on proclaiming this message until his return to earth. While verbal messages communicate to the masses, the silent sermon of verbal messages is actually one you and I preach ourselves. It is a consistent reminder to stay focused on the basics. You commune with Jesus by looking back at what he did. You look forward to when you'll meet face-to-face. You look within to see what needs to be changed or confessed because of what Jesus has done for you.
Selah people' and friends different churches celebrate Communion in different ways. The how isn't as important as the why , and 1 Corinthians 11:26 clearly points you the the why. Keep it in mind every time you have the opportunity to celebrate the Lord's Supper.
"His Peace I leave with you as we remember with gratitude the gift He offers of forgiveness and eternal life.
Your pastor,
Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)
Posts
