Communion and the Glory That Remains
As Presidents’ Day approaches, this devotional reflects on personal loss and lasting glory. Using the tragedy in Calvin Coolidge’s family as a point of contrast, it turns to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and the finished work of the cross. Communion becomes a weekly moment to remember the glory Jesus had, displayed, and shares with his people.
- Calvin Coolidge’s grief shows how deeply loss can reshape a life.
- In John 17, Jesus speaks of glory as he nears the cross and finishes the work he was given.
- Communion invites ongoing reflection on Christ’s glory—past, present, and future.
By Doug Redford
A President’s Grief
As Presidents’ Day approaches, consider the tragedy experienced by the family of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States. Coolidge became president in 1923 after the sudden death of then-President Warren G. Harding. Coolidge was then elected president in 1924. He and his wife Grace had two sons: Calvin Jr. and John. On June 30, 1924, Calvin Jr. played tennis with his brother John on the White House tennis courts without putting on socks and developed a blister on one of his toes. The blister subsequently worsened into an infection known as sepsis. Calvin Jr. died a little over a week later at the age of 16.
Coolidge did not say much about his son’s passing while president, believing that “the dignity of the presidency” required that he and his wife keep their grief to themselves. But when his presidency had ended, Coolidge felt more at liberty to express how much his son’s death had affected him. “When he went, the glory of the presidency went with him,” Coolidge wrote in his autobiography. It was clear that he took the death of his son extremely hard.
Glory in the Finished Work
With the cross just hours away, Jesus prayed what some have referred to as the true “Lord’s Prayer” in John 17. He began his prayer with the words, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you” (v. 1, New International Version). Later Jesus said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (v. 4). When Jesus spoke the words, “It is finished” from the cross, he appeared far removed from any degree of glory. Isaiah prophetically called him “despised and rejected by mankind,” and “held . . . in low esteem” (Isaiah 53:3). But in truth, when Jesus died on the cross or, using Coolidge’s word, “went,” the glory of his messiahship did not leave him. His messiahship was emphatically fulfilled. Isaiah went on to say, “the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10). And so it has.
Communion provides us with a time each Lord’s Day to reflect on glory: the glory Jesus had with the Father “before the world began” (John 17:5), the glory he demonstrated in finishing the work the Father gave him to do (v. 4), the glory we possess at present because of Jesus’ work in us (2 Corinthians 3:18), and the glory that awaits us when we go to be with Jesus (John 17:24).
This is indeed a glorious meal!
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
