Communion

Hope Restored

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Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20 NKJV

As Jesus offered the bread and wine He served Thomas the doubter and Peter the denier. He gave his gift to disciples who slept when he asked them to pray. He gave a hope for a restored relationship with the Father who loved them so much that He was willing to give them His only Son. Even though they all ran away He was lighting the fire with His passion of a hope that has burned for 2000 years. That is the Hope restored for everyone who believes and asks Jesus Christ for that new chance at life that He gave at His Last Supper!

Challenged to Thank God

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My wife came across an interesting sign that asked the question, “What if you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for today?  After we shared Communion tonight I began to ask myself, “What if next Sunday we only had the people for whom we thanked God for today?”

Maybe our church and yours would have a lot less empty seats if we wete grateful for one other rather than complaining. ( I confess to being one of those!) Maybe if we began to truly appreciate the people who do come to our services God could help us to grow and then He would get the credit!

1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.

I would be willing to bet big money that when the apostle Paul visited the folks couldn’t wait to get to church! When was the last time you couldn’t wait to get to church? I am taking the thankfulness challenge this week. Anyone care to join me? Let’s give thanks for as many people as we can remember starting tomorrow. Let’s give thanks and ask God to have His way in their lives and ours, then wait and see what He will do!

In the presence of my enemies

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Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

For I received from the Lord what  I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread. 

1 Corinthians 11:23

As Jesus approached the table that His disciples had prepared they little imagined what they would share together that night. What we sometimes call the last supper could also be called the first. It was the first time Jesus would share the bread as a reminder of His body given for us. It was the first cup of the New Covenant purchased with His own blood. That night they had set the table but Jesus had prepared in His plans that first link in the chain of grace which we still celebrate today. Why is it that God chooses on the night of betrayal and in the presence of enemies to prepare our greatest blessings and to give His greatest gifts?