Communion of Saints

JJ

We left our seats and gathered in the center aisle. One by one, with piety and purpose, we moved forward to the communion table, ladened with sins and burdens, visible only to God. Would Jesus’ message, spoken to us through the words of the pastor, remain in our hearts and minds, not only on Sunday, but for the rest of the week?

With repentance and bold humility, God’s sinful people seek His forgiveness and reconciliation through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s beloved and righteous Son. The exchange happened at the cross as Jesus Christ took upon Himself our unrighteousness while offering us His righteousness. The same substitution occurs today when we repent and confess our sins to God through Jesus who lavishes us with loving forgiveness and gracious mercy. Oh the grace—God’s riches at Christ’s expense—of God that frees us from our personal prisons of transgressions. 

I approached the table, offering my sinful self to my Savior. The server gave me a piece of bread saying, “The body of Christ broken for you.” With my right hand I grasped the bread and placed my cupped left hand underneath. As I dipped the bread in the cup of wine, a second server’s words “the blood of Christ shed for you” pierced my ears. When I placed that bread, now Christ’s body, in my mouth, some of the wine, now Christ’s blood, splattered into the palm of my hand. 

The spatter onto my hand ignited a burning within my soul. It’s as if I stood under the cross with Jesus impaled upon it while His blood dripped onto me. I consumed His blood soaked body, carried the wine droplet back to my seat, and sat down. While rubbing my hands together and wiping away the wine, an abrupt thought entered my mind. I have blood on my hands and yet, I know Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me, even though my sins crucified Him. He stood in my place, carrying the weight of my wretched sin and shame to the cross. He hears my confession and says, “Daughter, you are forgiven. My righteousness covers you with mercy.” 

I am humbled by one drop of blood and stand in awe of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. He chose me to be His child, not because of my goodness, but because of His mercy. 

Blanketed by His righteous and merciful grace, Jesus’ sacrifice covers my sin and yours as well. When we repent and believe in Jesus, we are saved. God sees us through Jesus’ righteousness. And Holy Spirit enables me to please God through obedience to His Living Word, Jesus Christ. 

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 (TLB)

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your love that established peace through the blood of the cross of your own Son, Jesus. What an offering of sacrificial devotion! I am forgiven and free. Uphold me, Lord God, with your righteous right hand forever. In the mighty name of Jesus, AMEN. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.         Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)                                              

                                                                                   S.D.G.

*JJ Jesu Juva (Jesus help) and S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be Glory) — Johann Sebastian Bach wrote these letters on his pages before he began and when he ended composing his music. He gave God the glory after pleading for his help.

Within a Cloud

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere….

After saying this, Jesus was taken up into a cloud while they were watching….suddenly two white-robed men stood among them, and said, “Why are you staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”   Acts 1:8-11 (based on NLT)

          Jesus disappeared into a cloud while His disciples stared skyward. Did they lose hope? Had they paid close attention to Jesus’ departing words and the words of the two white-robed men about His departure and return? 

          The disciples had suffered Jesus’ absence following His horrible death on a cross. After a miraculous resurrection, their friend returned to them and comforted them with His presence. But after several weeks, they watched Him leave again. Imagine the emotional roller coaster. 

          And yet, Jesus hadn’t deserted them. He had decreed Holy Spirit power to come upon them and two messengers declared He would reappear just as He had disappeared. Even though eyesight told a different story, did Jesus’ followers believe the messengers?

          Sight plays a huge part in my emotions. If life’s circumstances suggest all is well, I’m content. But if trouble arises around me, anxiety engulfs me. I forget about the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. I forget about Immanuel—God with me. I forget about the Helper (Holy Spirit) that God sent in Jesus’ name. All I see is cloud cover. 

          The disciples saw a cloud conceal Jesus. Were they discouraged by His departure or encouraged by His words of revelation? Did the promise of Jesus' return on a cloud flood them with hope?

          Scripture tells us the disciples returned to Jerusalem, gathered together in the upstairs room of a house, and constantly prayed in unity. Eventually 120 believers assembled and Peter lead the charge to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus and committed suicide (Matthew 27:1-5). Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven (Acts 1:13-26). 

          Then it happened just as Jesus had foretold His disciples. A mighty roar from heaven, flames of fire, and different languages—signs of the Holy Spirit’s arrival—filled the room as well as the believers (Acts 2). Mighty acts of God through His apostles began to take place. Jesus’ presence, through the Holy Spirit, abided in them. 

          These apostles, eagerly awaiting His return, served Jesus until their deaths. A cloud may have concealed their Savior, but the revelation of His power revealed His spiritual presence. Even though present day believers have never seen Jesus, it works the same for us. We may focus on cloudy situations separating us from God, but if we study His Word and pray, His presence will be revealed to us. 

          Where’s your focus when troubles besiege you? Are you filled with anxiety or comfort? It all depends on your center of attention. 

          If you’re staring at cloudy days as if Jesus is absent, doubts will assail you. But if you are gazing at the clouds in hope of His return, your faith will increase. Jesus left for heaven on a cloud, but He’s also returning to earth on a cloud. 

          Oh the beauty of a cloudless day. But what enhanced loveliness those clouds display when the sun shines through them. Allow God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to shine through your cloudy days. Talk daily to Him in prayer. And soon, like a mighty wind, His presence will descend upon you in power.

…for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—  2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP)

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.  Psalm 94:19 (NLT)