By Jon Wren
Larry David is one of the most successful comic writers ever. The creator of TVโs Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm is a household name. Yet several years ago, in a profile in Rolling Stone magazine, a friend shared a poignant story about Davidโs trip to a baseball game.
One night during his stay (in New York), David went to Yankee Stadium to see a game. His image went up on the big screen as Curb Your Enthusiasmโs theme song played over the big speakers. An entire stadium of fans stood and cheered for the hopeless case from Brooklyn. It should have been a life-defining moment. . . . But as it turned out, not so much. As David left the stadium, a guy drove by and yelled, โLarry, you [stink]!โ Thatโs like, literally all he heard.
What stuck with David from that night wasnโt getting a standing ovation from a packed crowd at a Major League Baseball game, but the random insult from a crackpot in the parking lot.
It seems no matter how successful or influential we might be, we still get our feelings hurt. Even if we hear a hundred compliments one day, it takes only one criticism to cancel them out.
There are many theological and doctrinal reasons we are encouraged to regularly observe Communion as believers, but maybe we have practical reasons too. Hereโs one: In life we are regularly criticized, insulted, and hurt by the words and actions of others, so perhaps we need regular reminders of the words and actions of Christ. Perhaps we need reminders of how much he loves and values us.
Jesus said, โThis is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. . . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of meโ (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25).
We are fragile, vain, and easily hurt, but we are also deeply loved, deeply valued, and completely forgiven.
Jon Wren works with the Office of Civil Rights, addressing the impact of gentrification on school desegregation. He loves history, college football, and once got a ticket for driving too slow.
Author: Christian Standard
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