Saturday, May 24, 2014

May 25, 2014

"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."  I Corinthians 11:23-26

Communion calls you to remember the worst and most agonizing moments in Jesus' life. Why would He call you to meditate and commemorate a crucifixion?

Why would Jesus call you to into fellowship with Him at the point of His pain and suffering?

Isn't that a little morbid?

Jesus calls you to the cross because He suffered great pain to pay the penalty for your sin so that you won't have to remain trapped in your pain. When you come to the cross through the symbolic elements, the bread and the cup, it should cause you to remember and relate to:
  • The reality of His pain
Through Christ, God really knows how it feels to suffer and experience agonizing pain. So when you are suffering physical or emotional or psychological pain, you can better identify with His pain and have a greater appreciation for depth of His love for you. And you can also be sure He understands the pain you experience.
  • The reality of His provision
Coming to the Communion table to remember His suffering by the symbolic body and blood of Jesus helps you reconnect with the horrible agony He endured to provide an atonement for your sins. He didn't die because He was a sinner but He died because you ARE! He paid a price to bear the painful penalty of your sin so you can be delivered from its judgment.
  • The reality of His purpose
Jesus laid down His life for you. That means He chose the pain and suffering that He bore and died on purpose! And He did it for a purpose!  No one TOOK His life, He gave it up to shed His blood to take away your sins!

Our Savior wasn't really lynched and arrested and beaten and crucified by accident or against the will of God, He willingly laid down His life to set you free from sin!

And, He is able to bring purpose and meaning from your pain.
  • The reality of His presence
When Jesus was experiencing the worst of His agony on the cross, He was forsaken by His Father on died alone. Because He died alone you will never have to and when you are in the midst of your suffering He will be with you to comfort and encourage!
  • The reality of His promise
Because God has never failed to fulfill a promise, you know you can count on his promises. He will never leave you in your time of need! You will never suffer alone and someday He will receive you into a place where there is no more pain or grief or suffering or bad memories!

So, when God calls you into the suffering of Jesus through Communion, He is calling you to remember all that He accomplished for you on the cross! And when you come to remember and to commune with Him, you can bring not only your praises but you can bring your pain. When you enter into His suffering you call Him into yours as well! You don't just go back to the cross but you bring Him forward into your memories of loss, abuse, abandonment, betrayal, rejection, ridicule, failure, or fear. He will meet you there in sweet communion.

That’s why Communion is so significant for a believer, it calls you into His suffering so He can enter yours.