Turns
Originally scheduled for December 29
Consider, if you will, a rather ordinary sight
on our roads: the T intersection. Your driving down a particular
road and it ends in a street crossing at 90°. There are two lanes,
clearly labeled for a left turn and a right turn. There’s a sign on
the streetlight above which says the same thing. The intersection
illustrates the type of decision you’re going to make.
·
You must choose which way to go. Your
choice probably depends on where you’re trying to go, but you have
to make it.
·
You bear the consequences of this
decision. If you choose the wrong turning you may wind up in the
middle of nowhere. Is it possible you might want to consult a
roadmap?
·
If you pick the wrong direction, it’s
not the fault of the guy who made the street sign. Nor is it the
fault of the fellow who painted the left and right turn arrows on
the pavement. They simply made your decision clearer — you still
made the decision.
·
Finally, the result is easily visible
to all who want to look at it. This includes backseat navigators,
too.
Communion presents such a choice to you each
Sunday. It is a decision point in your life.
·
You must choose to partake, or
refrain. There is no ambiguity in this.
·
You bear the consequences. If you
decide to partake, you bear the reproach of being a Christian. You
will recall that all Christians are told that they will suffer some
form of persecution in their life. Of course, you also know that he
is both Lord and Savior, and you owe him your obedience.
·
The choice is yours; it’s not the
fault of the guy offering the communion meditation. He’s just
painting the signs.
·
The result of your choice is on
display quite publicly, both here in the church and in your life
throughout the next week.
Perhaps you have this choice down to being an
automatic “yes”. If so, may I encourage you to follow the steps that
Christ has laid out for this ceremonial meal.
·
Before anything else, examine your
self. See if there is repentance required; if so, determine now that
you will do it.
·
As you take this meal, remember that
it is in memory of his sacrifice on the cross — a sacrifice which
bought your salvation.
·
Take it in anticipation of his return
on the Day of Judgment.
Communion — a milepost in the pilgrimage which
is your life.
