By Melinda Gividen
We can’t open our Bibles without being reminded that Jesus’ life fulfilled every promise God ever made. All the stories—even the ones that were complicated, seemed impossible, or were full of suffering—were redeemed by Jesus . . . by the way he lived and the way he died in paying the ultimate sacrifice.
No person mentioned in the Old Testament or New Testament could have imagined how history would one day come together and finally make sense at the cross. The cross is the ultimate reminder that Jesus is exactly what we all need all the time. In Jesus we find the love that changes everything we have ever known.
Without Jesus, there is only darkness; there is no light or peace. Without Jesus, there is no hope, grace, forgiveness, unconditional love, or direction for our lives. Without Jesus, there is no perfect story of God’s promises fulfilled.
Without Jesus, there would be no Communion, a celebration we get to share in together every week. The Lord’s Supper should be treated as a celebration because it reminds us of Jesus’ love for each of us. Taking Communion should never become mechanical or ritualistic; it should never become so common that we ignore or forget the significance of what it commemorates. Every time we participate in Communion we take a step of obedience and live out the command in Scripture to proclaim the good news until he comes.
“Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” Hebrews 4:16 reminds us. “There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
We now come boldly to God’s throne to receive the blessing of Jesus’ sacrifice, which God knew we needed thousands of years before we were born. That’s something we can’t fathom because it speaks of God’s power, wisdom, and truth. We remember Jesus’ incredible sacrifice that enables us to know a life filled with joy, peace, and so much more. Let’s recognize how Jesus fits at the center of God’s story as we thank him for his sacrifice on the cross.
Melinda Gividen serves as pastoral care pastor at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also a speaker and writer, but her favorite titles are wife and mom.
Thank you for writing truth into a sometimes deceptive world! Communion is the most important part/meal of each day, each moment. Christina M. Eder, Oak Ridge, TN