Magnanimous Meal
Theme of the Week: Divine Table Talk
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy (Titus 3:4-5). Bonus Reading: Ephesians 2:8-10
One Sunday morning in college, our pastor, Bill Lane, began talking about sin, listing particular ones. "There are young couples in this congregation who aren't married but who nevertheless spent the night together. …" Dr. Lane's list went on and on. With his wonderful skill with language he made the subtler sins sound just as sinful as the more blatant ones, which of course they were. Finally he came to the end of his list.
"If you're guilty of such and such," he said as we all braced ourselves, "If you're guilty," he said, pointing, "then this table is for you."
I wanted to rush forward and seize the elements, like someone who'd been lost in the wilderness, ravenously hungry and desperately thirsty. For the first time in my life, Communion became Holy Communion. It meant life and peace and joy. The rough hands of the elderly black deacons now placed before me a treasure worth selling everything for. It was all mine, for free! The lunatic joy I felt comes only from seeing that we have no right to come to the table at all, but Jesus welcomes us as his special guests to be astounded at his generosity.
—Michael Card in Joy in the Journey
My Response: What sin might Dr. Lane have mentioned to establish my guilt? Why doesn't it disqualify me?
Thought to Apply: This meal is for sinners only. —David Watson (British evangelist)
Adapted from Joy in the Journey (InterVarsity, 2007) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Lord Jesus, as I take communion, help me to experience the full benefits of your sacrificial death.
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