10/2 Grow: communion

Showing posts with label communion. Show all posts

Communion 5

A few years back we knew that we would be unable to visit with our families over the Easter weekend. It was just not part of our busy schedule that year and we decided we would simply have a nice Easter Sunday meal at home as a family. We prepared a nice ham and all the side dishes – salad, mashed potatoes, corn and so on. It was a lot of food but we went ahead with our plans.

Then, unexpectedly, my sister and mother showed up at our house. We were excited at that point to have prepared such a large meal of abundance. And we were pleased that someone had come to share it with us.

After the resurrection of Jesus and after he was taken up into heaven the faithful believers continued to meet together as the beginnings of the church we know today. What did they do? What was their attitude?

The love and grace of Jesus Christ did not stop with his death. It continued on among the faithful and still flows today. The early believers would gather together in informal bands of worshipers. As part of their worship there was the sharing of food.

The believers would break bread together – eat – and they did it with glad hearts. They were pleased to be with one another and they were gladdened by the fact that each of them had a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Such should be our attitude as we celebrate Communion in our places of worship. Communion may be a time when we examine ourselves, where we realize that we are not worthy to receive such grace from God. But it should also be a time of celebration and gladness. We should take part in Communion with glad hearts, realizing that although we are unworthy, still Jesus loves us so much that he continues to open himself up to us so that we might be in his loving presence.

Let us rejoice as we take part in Communion. Let us be glad that Jesus loves us. And let us also take the opportunity of Communion to once more invite the Spirit of God to live in our hearts.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain to have a glad heart when you take part in Communion?

Communion 4

John 6:48-51

If you are a parent you have likely encountered problems with getting your child to eat the proper foods. Many children, perhaps most children, would rather eat sweets and candies rather than healthy vegetables no matter how they are cooked and presented.

As adults we know what is best for our children. We know what foods will give them healthier, stronger bodies. But it isn’t always something the child will accept.

When addressing the crowds that followed him Jesus offered a comment on just who he was. What does Jesus say that he is? What is the difference between his bread and the manna the Jews ate in the wilderness? What is special about the “bread” of Christ?

This was a difficult message for people to hear and understand. First, Jesus claimed that he was living bread. He told them that they should eat his flesh (verse 51) and that would provide eternal life.

Additionally, he made a comment about the miracle that the Jews had experienced during the Exodus, a miracle revered by the faithful. He pointed out that even though these people had eaten a gift from God they were still mortal and did eventually die.

The confusion came when people took Jesus literally. During the institution of Communion at the Last Supper Jesus explained that the bread the disciples would eat was his flesh. What he meant was that, like the bread, his body would be broken. Like the bread, the presence of Jesus would give eternal life.

We cannot take these words too literally. We must learn to understand that we must take part in the presence, grace and teaching of Jesus to gain everlasting life. By taking part in Jesus, the way we might take part in a daily meal, we are given a new life, a new way of living and loving and being children of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you take part in the flesh of Christ?

Communion 3

Luke 22:14-20
Many years ago some of the youth group at our church presented a service, part of which involved the taking of Communion. Unfortunately through inexperience, the leader used the passage from Luke 22 for Communion which resulted in everyone drinking of the cup first and then eating the bread.
It is not a horrible thing to have happen, but traditionally the bread is eaten first and then the cup is drunk. This makes it a bit easier to swallow the bread knowing that a small drink follows.
What does Jesus say about his attitude toward this special meal? How many cups does Jesus give to his disciples?
We may wonder why it is that this presentation of the Last Supper differs from those in Matthew and Mark. Jesus offers a cup first, and then the bread. After the bread a second cup is offered. What is going on?
We must first understand that the Last Supper, part of which we mirror in Communion, is a Seder meal. It is a special and symbolic meal to celebrate the Passover – the saving of the Jewish people from the final plague that afflicted the Egyptians.
As part of the meal there are several cups of wine provided, each with its own meaning. The first cup that Jesus uses in verse 17 is likely the second cup of the meal. This cup is the Cup of Deliverance, a reminder that the Jews were spared the final plague.
In using this cup Jesus was showing the disciples that he was the new deliverer for them. He would be saving them from an eternal death.
The next cup that Jesus used was likely the Cup of Redemption. Again, it showed the disciples that he was the one who would redeem them, and in fact all believers. He would remove our sins through the shedding of his blood.
What also stands out is his comment as he reclines at table. Jesus said that he “eagerly desired” to eat the Passover with them. He very much was willing to be a part of the disciples and for them to be a part of him and what he was doing.
We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus eagerly desires that we also receive his salvation, his deliverance, his redemption. His love is so great for each of us that he was willing to die for our salvation.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Are you eager to take part in Christ’s redemption?

Communion 2

1 Corinthians 11:27-29

So often in our lives and in our work we can accomplish things while functioning on “automatic pilot.” Working at a job a half an hour away from home I drove the same route day in and day out, back and forth from home to work. There were many days when I would get home and realize that I had no recollection of anything that I did on the way home. The entire trip passed without my even noticing.

It can be a scary thought to know that you have been driving without focusing all your attention on what you are doing. But the same scary thought can occur when we realize that we are going through a life of faith with our eyes closed.

As Paul continues with his comments on the Lord’s Supper what does he say about those who take part in Communion in an unworthy manner? What should we do? What does self-examination do for us?

Paul warns against taking part in Holy Communion in “an unworthy manner.” We may not know exactly what that means, although if we look at what Paul has said earlier (1 Corinthians 11:17-22) we can assume he is talking about people who treat this religious act as a social act. Much of this comes from the fact that early worship services involved a full meal.

But we can take Communion in an unworthy manner today, without the presence of a meal. If we do not fully appreciate the gravity and importance of what Communion is all about we are partaking of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. If we take part in the sacrament out of duty and habit and not a desire to be in the presence of Jesus, we are taking part in an unworthy manner.

As we approach the sacrament of Communion we must recognize what is going on. We must see that it represents and reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made to save our souls. We must see it as an opportunity to enter into an intimate connection with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God, the Father. We commune with God, joining our spirit with His. This attitude can be gained through a time of self-examination and spiritual preparation.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to recognize the importance of Communion?

Communion 1

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

When I was very young I shared with my brother an incredible story I had heard. He didn’t believe me and he gave me some advice. He said, “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.”

It is true that I can sometimes be gullible and believe what others have told me. I need to be more discerning in my judgment, but the cynicism of my brother’s advice was a bit too much for me.

Frequently in matters of faith and the Bible people will ask how it is we know that it is true. For much of our beliefs we must rely completely on faith, trusting that what we believe is actually real and true. But as far as Holy Communion we have some confidence in the tradition.

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul has something to say about the Lord’s Supper. Where did he get this information? What did Jesus do? What are we doing as we take part in Communion?

Paul begins his instructions with the statement that what he is teaching has been passed down from Jesus, through the disciples, to other believers. The tradition and form of the Lord’s Supper was established by Christ himself and then repeated and imitated by his followers.

It is a heartening concept to me to know that what we do during Holy Communion is very much like what happened with Jesus and the disciples on the night Christ was handed over for crucifixion. This sacrament is a re-telling, a re-enacting of what Jesus did, a celebration which has been handed down over the centuries.

As we celebrate Communion in our places of worship we need to realize that, although there may be slight changes and deviations in our traditions, the central act and theme is the same. We are celebrating and proclaiming the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you trust in the truth of Communion?

Communion 5

Acts 2:46-47

Then, unexpectedly, my sister and mother showed up at our house. We were excited at that point to have prepared such a large meal of abundance. And we were pleased that someone had come to share it with us.

After the resurrection of Jesus and after he was taken up into heaven, the faithful believers continued to meet together as the beginnings of the church we know today. What did they do? What was their attitude?

The love and grace of Jesus Christ did not stop with his death. It continued on among the faithful and still flows today. The early believers would gather together in informal bands of worshipers. As part of their worship there was the sharing of food.

The believers would break bread together – eat – and they did it with glad hearts. They were pleased to be with one another and they were gladdened by the fact that each of them had a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Such should be our attitude as we celebrate Communion in our places of worship. Communion may be a time when we examine ourselves, where we realize that we are not worthy to receive such grace from God. But it should also be a time of celebration and gladness. We should take part in Communion with glad hearts, realizing that although we are unworthy, still Jesus loves us so much that he continues to open himself up to us so that we might be in his loving presence.

Let us rejoice as we take part in Communion. Let us be glad that Jesus loves us. And let us also take the opportunity of Communion to once more invite the Spirit of God to live in our hearts.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain to have a glad heart when you take part in Communion?

Communion 4

Acts 5:17-20

When I was in college I stopped attending church because I was so disillusioned by the behavior of so many “Christians.” But when I shared my frustration with my uncle he told me, “Don’t let anyone else keep you out of God’s house.”

That comment really turned me around. I give my uncle the credit for starting a new life of faith that has resulted with my being in the ministry today.

The early church was not without its setbacks and problems. In Acts 5 Peter and other apostles have been preaching and healing many people out in the streets and in the Temple. How do the religious leaders react? What happens to those who are jailed? What command does the angel give?

The high priest and his associates were so upset with Peter and the others that they were jailed so they could be silenced. These leaders were trying to stop the ministry going on. But God intervened by sending an angel to set them free from prison.

And with that freedom came a command to keep doing what they had been doing. Their work was not yet completed.

As we work through our own spiritual growth and tend to our own faith journey we will encounter obstacles and road blocks. Some may be so big that they will keep us from living out our faith the way we should.

But we must remember Jesus’ instructions to the disciples at the feeding of the 5,000. “You give them something to eat.” It is up to us to help build the kingdom of God. It is up to us, in communion with the risen Christ, to be about saving souls and spreading the good news.

No matter what may come our way, no matter what setbacks we might encounter, no matter what negative thoughts and words may come at us from those around us, we need to be about feeding the hungry souls of the lost. We need to be part of Christ’s ministry. We need to tell the people the full message of this new life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you overcome your obstacles and preach about the new life in Christ?

Communion 3

John 6:48-51

As adults we know what is best for our children. We know what foods will give them healthier, stronger bodies. But it isn’t always something the child will accept.

When addressing the crowds that followed him Jesus offered a comment on just who he was. What does Jesus say that he is? What is the difference between his bread and the manna the Jews ate in the wilderness? What is special about the “bread” of Christ?

This was a difficult message for people to hear and understand. First, Jesus claimed that he was living bread. He told them that they should eat his flesh (verse 51) and that would provide eternal life.

Additionally, he made a comment about the miracle that the Jews had experienced during the Exodus, a miracle revered by the faithful. He pointed out that even though these people had eaten a gift from God they were still mortal and did eventually die.

The confusion came when people took Jesus literally. During the institution of Communion at the Last Supper Jesus explained that the bread the disciples would eat was his flesh. What he meant was that, like the bread, his body would be broken. Like the bread, the presence of Jesus would give eternal life.

We cannot take these words too literally. We must learn to understand that we must take part in the presence, grace and teaching of Jesus to gain everlasting life. By taking part in Jesus, the way we might take part in a daily meal, we are given a new life, a new way of living and loving and being children of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you take part in the flesh of Christ?

Communion 2

Luke 9:16-17

The tradition of Communion can be very important to many believers. It is a holy moment in worship. It is a time when we are face to face with our Savior, a time of remembering the sacrifice Jesus has made for our salvation.

It is also a time of being one – communing – with our Lord. By taking in the bread and the wine we are symbolically taking in the very Spirit and presence of Christ. As the bread and wine becomes part of who we are we should see that we are making Jesus part of who we are.

In spite of his instruction for the disciples to feed the crowd, Jesus is the one who takes the food that has been offered and feeds the people. What did Jesus do with the loaves and fish? What did the disciples do? What was the result?

We can see the spirituality of Jesus in this act. Being a faithful child of God he offered thanks for the gifts of bread and fish. He praised God for His abundance. Then he broke the bread so that it could be eaten by the crowd.

In this moment of breaking the bread we should be reminded of what we know will later happen at the Last Supper. Jesus broke the bread and told the disciples that the bread was his body. He would be broken for all of us, broken so that we might be part of his holiness and part of God’s kingdom. He was broken so that we might commune with our Savior.

This meal with the crowd of more than 5,000 people is another time where Jesus gives himself to others. As the bread and fish were being set out for the people to take part, so Jesus was being set out for all to come and partake. Just as the meager offering of five loaves and two fish were enough to satisfy the crowd of thousands, so the simple offering of the body of Christ is enough to satisfy the needy souls of the world.

Even after all those thousands of people ate and were satisfied there was plenty left over. So it is with the Spirit of Christ. Jesus is enough to save the world. And as we join with him in leading souls to God there will be more than enough love and grace remaining when we are done.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be part of Christ’s ministry?

Communion 1

Luke 9:12-13

Many years ago I took part in an on-line Internet bulletin board where people from all around the world discussed all manner of ideas and concerns. I shared some of the comments being made with a co-worker. Hearing what was being discussed she had some opinions of her own. She started to tell me what I should say in response to some of the comments.

“Tell them . . . ,” she started to say to me. “Tell them yourself,” I said.

There are often times and occasions in our life when we have something we would like to have said or get done. And there are times when we decide it is the responsibility of others to get these things accomplished. But, in fact, it is our own responsibility to do these things.

In Luke 9 we have the familiar story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Jesus and his disciples have been seen by many people and a crowd has gathered to hear what teachings Jesus might impart. As he taught time passed and the day grew late. What did the disciples want Jesus to do? What did Jesus tell the disciples?

It is evident that the people who have followed Jesus are in need of direction in their spiritual life. They have come to listen to the great teacher. They are eager to grow in their faith.

But the demands of life enter in. The day is growing old and people are likely getting hungry. They must eat something. They need food for sustenance just as they need spiritual teaching for their souls.

The solution the disciples come up with is to send everyone away. Let them fend for themselves. But more than that, they want Jesus to be the one who sends them off.

But Jesus tells the disciples that they, the disciples, should give this crowd something to eat. They need to get to work.

Like the disciples, we may see the need that other people have in their lives. They need hope and love. They need spiritual nourishment. And like the disciples we may think that it is the responsibility of others to handle the problem. But Jesus is speaking to us as well. “You give them something.”

Each of us as Christians is responsible for feeding the hungry souls of the lost. Each of us is responsible for being about the work of God’s kingdom.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you give to someone in need?

Share the Cup 5

Psalm 40:3

On the cooking show “Top Chef” there was a contestant who liked to say that she always added love as one of her ingredients. What she meant was that her food was more than just cooked meats and vegetables. Her meals were more than just tasty edibles. What she made she created with the intention of pleasing the one who ate, of providing healthy and nutritious food for them.

The psalmist talks about what the Lord gives to us. What did God put in his mouth? How does this help others?

Taking part in Holy Communion involves more than simply eating bread and drinking wine or juice. Communion transforms these ordinary elements into something so much more.

In Communion we are celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus. We are celebrating love from God. We are being nourished not in body but in our souls. That which we are taking in is more than just bread and drink, but the love and grace of our God.

We receive more than simple foods in Communion. We receive a new spirit. We receive all over again the forgiveness and strengthening grace of God. And that should put a new song in our mouths as well.

Communion should be a time when we offer up a new hymn of praise and gratitude to the Lord. We should celebrate with Him all the love that is being shared. We should praise God for the new life, the new attitude we are given by sharing this meal with Jesus.

In this sacrament we are communing with the very spirit of Jesus. We are sharing a time together with the Holy Spirit of God. And this is a reminder that Jesus is entering into our lives and hearts to give us new hope in all that we do.

And with this new song and new spirit in us we can show God’s love to others so that they may also come to believe and accept.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you welcome the new song God will give you?

Share the Cup 4

Ephesians 3:16-18

My mother always encouraged me in life. She wanted me to do well in school. She wanted me to have good jobs and to excel at those positions. She wanted me to have a life of fulfillment and happiness.

I didn’t always get to hear about how proud she was of what I had done in my life, however. Instead it seemed that I heard about what successful people my brother and sister were. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I talked to my sister that I found out she was telling her the same things. Mom was proud of me, she just told everyone but me.

In Ephesians we find a prayer offered up for the believers. What should we receive through the glorious riches of Jesus? What should we grasp?

Our celebration of Communion is a celebration of the depth and power of Christ’s love. It is a reminder of how far Jesus was willing to go for us to receive the love of God. Jesus was willing to give himself completely for our salvation. He was willing to replace his holy innocence with the stain of all of our guilt and sin. He was willing to have his body broken on the cross and have his blood poured out so that we might achieve eternal life.

And more than eternal life, Jesus wanted us to know as we lived just how deeply God loves us and cares for us. The breaking of the bread is a reminder that Jesus has broken himself open so that we might have access to his grace and forgiveness.

We do not have to go through life wondering if God loves us. We know in our hearts that He treasures each one of us. The service of Holy Communion should be that constant reminder of how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Communion is that opportunity for us be strengthened by the presence of Jesus’ Spirit. It allows us to be rooted in the love of Jesus and to commune – connect – with all the believers who live now and those who have come before us.

Communion is the celebration of the glorious riches Jesus holds for us. Allow the experience to be a time when you welcome the love and presence of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you allow Communion to remind you of God’s love?

Share the Cup 3

Mark 14:22-24

When our kids were younger we bought them geodes while on vacation. Geodes are round rocks that are rather plain on the outside. What you need to do is break the stone open, cracking it in half, so that you can see what is on the inside.

Inside the geode are sparkling crystals that form on the inner lining of these hollow, stone orbs. You can only see the wonderful beauty of the rock when you have cracked it open.

In his time with the disciples during the Last Supper Jesus initiated, or started, the sacrament of Communion. What did Jesus do with the bread? What did he say about it? What did he do with the cup of wine? What did he say about it?

Bread can be a wonderful, delicious and nourishing substance. Wine can be a delicious and delightful drink of celebration. But neither of them can be enjoyed until they have been consumed. To eat the bread you must break into the bread.

In his time with the disciples Jesus was comparing himself to the ordinary substances of bread and wine. As he broke the bread he told the disciples that it was his body. He made the same reference to the wine saying it was his blood.

What he meant was that like the bread his body would be broken at the crucifixion. Like the wine his blood would be poured out. But I believe he also meant that like the bread Jesus had to be broken, to become the human who would suffer, so that we might have access to him. Through the humble act of allowing himself to suffer and die we can become the companions of the Son of God. Through the shedding of his blood we have access to the forgiveness God offers.

As we celebrate Communion we must remember that Jesus has opened himself up to us. He has broken himself so that we might be able to be part of who he is and he might be part of who we are. In the sharing of the bread and wine we are made the friends of Jesus who will enjoy his companionship.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will help you remember the deeper meaning of Communion?

Share the Cup 2

John 13:34

It takes a lot to keep our household going. With a family of five there is never a lack of things that need to be done. Often, when we leave the house for work or to go away for an evening, we will leave a list of things that need to be taken care of in our absence.

Our children might be instructed to empty the dishwasher, vacuum the carpet, sweep the floor or take out the trash. All of us have things that we need to do or that we should do in our lives.

Our faith in Jesus compels us to do the ministry of God’s kingdom. If we believe in who Jesus was and is then we are naturally going to do good deeds to share God’s love. According to John, in his last evening with his disciples Jesus gave his followers one command to be followed. What was it?

Jesus said that his was a new command. His words probably made reference to all the many religious laws and rules of the Jewish faith. He may also have been referring to the instructions he had been giving throughout his ministry – like those found in “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5 – 7.

Now he has some new instructions for those who believe. His words were said to the disciples present with him at the Last Supper, but we can believe that what he had to say is meant for each of us today.

His new command was that we love one another. Then he gives more details. We are to love one another in the same way that Jesus has loved us. That type of love is a love of acceptance and self-sacrifice.

Jesus was willing to humble himself for us. He was willing to lower himself from being the Son of God to being another human friend to all of us sinners.

Such is the love we should have for others. We should be willing to share the cup of Communion, the cup of redemption, the cup of salvation, the cup of compassion and love with all other people. That means we are willing to treat everyone else as an equal to us. We must be willing to share the intimacy of a meal with people we may otherwise find unpleasant or unworthy.

Such is the example of love Christ gave to us. Such is the love we are commanded to live out.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to love as Jesus loved?

Share the Cup 1

Revelation 3:20 (NLT)

When I first began dating Peggy her father had a little joke he liked to play on visitors. When a person would arrive at the house in the evening he would turn off all the lights quickly and pretend he wasn’t home. It was obvious he was at home, but there was a moment or two where a person was left out on the porch knocking on the door wondering if the door would be opened.

Fortunately, that is not the case in our relationship with Jesus. Not only does Jesus welcome everyone who comes to him, he is anxious to be in the company of us.

Our 10/2 Grow devotions usually link to the New International Version (NIV) of the bible, but today’s passage uses the New Living Translation (NLT) because of the specific wording used. What does Jesus say about himself? What will he do if we open the door?

This passage tells us so much about our Lord. He is the one seeking us at this time. He is the one who knocks, who is trying to establish that connection and relationship with us.

But we are the ones who are supposed to open the door. Jesus does not force himself on anyone, but makes himself eagerly available to be in companionship with anyone who will welcome him. We must open ourselves to the grace of Jesus.

And when we open ourselves to the grace of Christ, he will enter our hearts and make his home with us. We will not be left alone or left expecting an arrival that does not come.

The meal that Jesus will share with us is a meal of abundance. It is a blessing of incredible goodness that will fill us up spiritually. We will no longer feel an emptiness or a loneliness any more. And Jesus joins us not as Master and Lord, but as a friend. He is there to be that companion and helper in all things.

Our time of Holy Communion is an opportunity to open the door for Jesus. He has already given himself for our redemption. Now he desires to be in our company, to be welcomed into our hearts where he may live as a constant and eternal friend.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you open the door for Jesus?

Forgive 4

Matthew 26:27-28

I learned this week that someone wanted to talk to me on Sunday after the service but I was busy talking to others so the conversation did not take place. I felt bad that I could not respond to the needs of that person. It isn’t always easy but we should work to be attentive to the people around us, people who may require our attention and our time.

On the night that Jesus was arrested, when his ordeal of crucifixion was about to begin, he gathered with his disciples and shared a meal. What was part of that meal? What did the wine represent?

If we consider all that Jesus had done in his ministry, and if we consider what he was about to endure, and if we realize Jesus knew what was about to happen, we could imagine that Jesus had a lot on his mind during the Last Supper. Yet he was able to offer grace to his disciples in that meal.

In spite of all that he had already gone through, the frustration he may have felt about all of his teaching and healing and the fact that most people still didn’t understand, Jesus was still able to extend love and mercy to those around him. In this tense time just before the crucifixion Jesus reminded the disciples about the forgiveness the world was about to receive through the crucifixion.

The wine was a reminder of how Jesus’ blood would be poured out in sacrifice for the benefit for all humanity. One of the key words is “poured.” This creates an image of generosity, an overflowing amount, an abundance. Forgiveness was about to be poured out for all of us. And that forgiveness was to come in abundance.

Christ serves as our example in how we are to deal with others. We should have forgiveness pour out from us to others. We should be willing to set ourselves aside for a moment and deal with the needs of those around us. Many probably need to know that we have a forgiving attitude and we are willing to forgive them. Many may need to hear and see and feel the grace that should pour out from you so that they may reach wholeness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you have forgiveness pour out from you to those who need to receive it?

He Seeks Us 3

Matthew 15:31-32

Years ago many of the churches in Hamilton, Ohio, organized a system to help the homeless in that town. Churches took turns providing homeless families and individuals with shelter and a meal. That ministry quickly grew into something more comprehensive. Instead of simply a bed and a meal the churches soon offered a bed, activities to occupy their time, and not just one meal, but three meals. Their compassion could not stop at the bare essentials.

In a familiar story Jesus is preaching when he is surrounded by a massive crowd of thousands of people. What has already happened among the people? What does Jesus want to do for them?

Not only has Jesus provided these thousands of listeners with powerful teaching and instruction, he has clearly performed miracles among them. He has given voice to the mute and restored the lame and crippled. His mercy and compassion are so great that the crowd is praising God for all of His love.

But Jesus is not done yet. He has taught them and healed them, and now he wants to feed them. His compassion knows no bounds.

And the same is true of us. Jesus has given himself completely for our salvation. He suffered and died on a cross so that we might be freed from the chains of our own sins.

He also continues to be a presence in our lives, a source of comfort and guidance and wisdom. He is the rock of hope that we can rely on in difficult times. But he doesn’t stop there.

Jesus constantly seeks us out with his love. No matter what we do in our lives, no matter what mistakes we make, no matter how we might disregard and ignore God, still Jesus seeks us so that we might have a relationship of love with him.

Even if Jesus has already taught you and healed you, he still wants to feed you with his compassion and mercy. Jesus still seeks you to provide you with life-giving sustenance in your walk of faith.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to receive the food Jesus will give you?

He Seeks Us 1

John 6:35

I remember very clearly the day I went with a friend, Ed, to his girlfriend’s house. Her grandmother happened to be visiting from Kentucky that weekend and she was busy in the kitchen cooking green beans, ham, and cornbread when we got there. When the food was ready Ed and I were invited to sit down and join them all for dinner. We did, and the food was so good I had three helpings.

While I was eating, and having trouble maintaining some decorum because of the delicious food, I was aware of what poor manners I was displaying by eating so much. But Ed told me that it probably pleased his girlfriend’s grandmother to know her food was appreciated. Others have pointed out the same thing. I need not worry about my manners at that meal. I was welcome at that table.

The same is true of our Savior. We are welcome at the Lord’s Table, even if we do not deserve to be there. In a discussion about food Jesus took an opportunity to make a point about himself. What does he say of himself? What does he offer to those who are hungry and thirsty?

In this very poignant moment, Jesus makes a very clear comparison about himself. Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus is the substance that sustains and feeds us. He is as basic to our existence as the staple of bread that keeps us alive.

And, being that bread of life, Jesus invites us to take part in him. We are encouraged to encounter Christ in a very personal way. We are invited to make Christ part of who we are.

But there is more involved than that. Not only are we invited into this encounter with Jesus, we are sought out by Jesus. He desires to have that encounter with us. He desires that we encounter him and make him a basic part of how we live and act.

Jesus brought the disciples together to share the bread and the wine, the body and blood of Christ. We too are invited and sought after to come to the Lord’s Table and make the sacrifice of Jesus that transforming moment in our own lives.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you welcome Christ’s invitation?

Savior 4

Hebrews 12:22-25

As part of a project that Peggy and I worked on along with some friends, we visited many churches in our hometown to learn about their history and take pictures of both the outside and the inside of these great houses of worship. It was fascinating to see the different churches, the various architectures, the many stained glass windows and ornate décor within. It was such a spiritual thrill to feel the presence of God in so many diverse places, and to be made aware of how vast and all-encompassing God can be.

I was impressed by these huge churches, it’s true, but those were not the only places that I encountered the Spirit of God. I have been moved to tears and felt the awesome grace of our Lord in small gatherings in living rooms, in dining halls, and even in my own car.

It is not the place that connects us to God, although a place of worship is designed to help us make that connection. What brings us into communion with God is our own soul searching for our Lord and Savior.

The writer of Hebrews is talking about the need to search for God and to find him, connecting with him through Jesus. How does the writer describe this encounter with the Most High? Jewish tradition was to offer sacrifices, sprinkling blood before God to please Him. How does the blood of Jesus speak a better word than the sacrifices of Abel? What is the final warning given?

Where do we find holiness? Is it only in the large cathedrals, the high-ceilinged churches with stained glass windows and tall pulpits? Is God only in those places where thousands gather to worship and raise voices in song?

No. God is in every place made holy by those who come before him acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The holy mountain that is spoken of, that holy place described here, is within the hearts of the faithful. When our hearts become humble before God, when we confess our sins and ask Jesus to rule our lives, then we are joined with all the angels and the saints everywhere and in every time. We become part of the living God.

We cannot miss this important fact of our faith. We have been taught and warned by those on earth, beginning with Moses and on through all the prophets until Jesus Christ, and then beyond Christ, by the writers of the New Testament and all who preach the good news of salvation even today. Now God calls you from heaven to accept his Son as Savior. Do not turn away from Jesus.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be part of thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly?

Mediator 5

Isaiah 25:6-8

When I worked for an IT consultant several years ago, the company was very good at keeping its employees happy. When we had semi-annual corporate meetings everything was done up to the nines. The meetings were held in some of the fanciest reception halls and hotels in the city. The dinnerware (plates and utensils) were some of the best. And, of course, the food was terrific – drinks, appetizers, main courses and desserts – from some of the best caterers around.

As intended, the fancy meals and abundant food made me look forward to those tedious meetings.

In Isaiah we have an image of the goodness that comes from God. What will God do? How might people who struggle to have daily food feel about such an image as the one presented in verse 6? What is the “shroud that enfolds all peoples”? What comfort is offered?

The message of today’s passage is a message of hope from the sovereign Lord. It creates a feeling of comfort and joy in knowing that God will give His people abundance. But that abundance is more than just good food and drink. The abundance God gives us is an abundance of grace and mercy. It is an abundance of His love.

The Lord’s Table is an opportunity to enter into the abundant love of God. The table may be set with plain bread and a cup of juice from the store, yet it is symbolic of the grace we find in Jesus Christ. We are promised the removal of that shroud of sin, that shroud of hopelessness that we all may be feeling.

When we come to the Communion table we receive more than just a small bit of bread and a drink of juice. We are accepting the abundance of God’s mercy. We are accepting the mediation of Jesus Christ, welcoming us to the table of forgiveness and salvation.

The banquet God has for us is more than a banquet of food. It is a feast of forgiveness and salvation. While the table may appear sparse the gift from God which awaits all of us who earnestly seek forgiveness with a contrite heart is a profound offering. Through Jesus Christ, the one who mediates this reception of grace, we are invited in to a feast of eternal life in God, the Father.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you approach the feast God has set before you?