Remembrance...

I sat staring at my tiny purple reflection in the plastic cup. The blood. The blood of the Lamb. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the depth of His pain that was bore for my sins. The blood that cleanses all sin and heals a broken soul. How did I get here?

The carpet was scarlet and the cross was stained mahogany. I looked up as I held that tiny wafer and cup of violet and couldn't wait to partake of this ordinance set forth for those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. I didn't fully grasp the magnitude of this opportunity because I was a mere infant in the body of believers. I was 8 years old.

The auditorium was candlelit, the music was melodious, worshipful, and caused me to reflect. The bread was a coarse loaf of unleavened bread. Next to the bread was a bunch of grapes. As my teeth sunk into the fruit, I closed my eyes and could only imagine the sight of my Savior suffering for my transgressions. I was 19 years old.

The clay bricks were marred by the weather, the dirt was caked between my toes, and the sweat was dripping down my back from the mile walk to the river and back. Baptism preceded the Lord's Supper this time. The bread was made by my hands, blood was truly wine, and the Lord's Supper was taken for the first time in this small village church. I was 30 years old.

My daughter rubbed her hand on the top of her thigh, she spun the cup gently in her slender fingers. She looked at her younger sister and mouthed a word or two. I, from the corner of my eye, prayed, "Lord, may she grow to know the power of the body that was broken and the blood that was shed." I quickly recalled how I got here. How do we get to the place where we truly understand the depth and the love that was bestowed upon a rugged cross two thousand years ago? It is in the churches of immense beauty, in the auditoriums with your friends at a retreat, and it is some times in the remotest places of the world.

The body that was broken and the blood that was shed, we will never fully comprehend the love of the Savior. We are daily working out our salvation with fear (reverence) and trembling (striving). (Philippians 2:12) May, we as believers understand that our faith grows each and every day. Our experiences draw us closer to Christ if we allow them to. We will not grow into maturity overnight, it is a process (called sanctification) that will not be complete until the day of His return. Each day may we remember the body, the blood, the Savior, and His incredible love for us.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.' When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Matthew 26:26-30