I gotta have my orange juice.

We shared the Lord’s Supper on Sunday morning.

When we speak scripture to one another, and when our pastors preach, we know that, by the Holy Spirit, Christ himself is speaking to us and preaching to us. We listen intently and we search our hearts because we long to hear our Lord. He comforts and strengthens us with promises and sends us out with commands.

When we take the Lord’s Supper it is easy to be aware of what we ourselves are doing — examining, remembering. But, no less than in preaching, Christ is speaking to us in the Lord’s Supper, comforting and strengthening us with promises and sending us out with commands. The Lord’s Supper preaches to our hungry hearts. What are some of the promises that we will hear our Savior saying if we are attentive?

• Are you condemned? You are forgiven! I have washed and cleansed you with my blood.
• Are you ashamed? You are accepted! You come before God in me.
• Are you afraid or anxious? I drank the cup of God’s wrath so that you can enjoy mercy and grace and peace.
• You are adopted. I have made you a part of God’s family.
• I love you. Receive my lavish gifts of bread, wine, my body, and my blood.
• You belong to me; I bought you with my own blood.
• I have provided for your greatest and most costly need, and I will surely provide for all of your needs.
• I will keep you safe to the end; we will feast like this together in heaven.

And what commands is he giving to us?

• Believe in me!
• Find your satisfaction in me. You will not find lasting satisfaction anywhere else.
• Find your joy in me. You will not find lasting joy anywhere else.
• Hear my great promises, receive my great gifts, and then give thanks, celebrate, feast and rejoice!
• See, you are all my body. Love one another, care for one another, provide for one another.
• You belong to me, and you feed on me for your life. Become more like me.

The elements preach to us. Hear our Savior speaking to you.

Crossposted to Reflections on Upchurch.