Cast of Characters
Originally scheduled for August 28
A fairly common phenomenon in movies which normally don’t contend
for an Academy Award is the presence of the character, usually
female, who serves no discernible purpose in the plot. In the worst
of cases it can be an absolute puzzle as to why the writers put this
character into the film. There is a common if unfortunate answer:
she’s the producer’s girlfriend.
You can see the problem this
creates for the viewer. Particularly if the film involves a bit of
mystery this can leave the viewer quite confused. The only real
solution is to use characters which are really necessary to the
plot.
Communion involves three characters. Each has a
different purpose and function. It is necessary to have each person
to understand communion.
Jesus Christ
The purpose of communion is the remembrance of Jesus Christ and what
he did for us. He is, therefore, the first and most essential person
in our drama. So what do we remember him for?
First, we should remember him for the incarnation. He didn’t have to
come to earth; his birth was not an accident but part of God’s plan
for humanity. It is a tremendous change on his part, to be confined
to the human body. CS Lewis called it the supreme miracle — because
all of his other miracles depend upon this. He is God in the flesh.
That’s something to remember.
We should remember him for his atonement – his sacrifice on the
cross. He paid the price that we could not pay for our sins. He did
so voluntarily, following his Father’s will. Only he could make that
sacrifice — and that’s something to remember.
We also should remember his resurrection, particularly as it is the
forerunner of our resurrection to come. Christ is the firstfruits of
the resurrection to come, at His return. A glorious day that will be
— and that’s something to remember.
You
If there is something to be remembered, someone must do the
remembering — and that is you. The purpose of remembering his
sacrifice is not just so that you may honor him, but also that you
may examine yourself.
As you do, it should be obvious — again — that you are a sinner. It
should come as no surprise, but you should acknowledge the obvious.
Let him know that you know.
This should become a cause for action — you should examine your
self. Details, please! Examine yourself and determine which sins
these might be. Then prepare yourself to do something about them.
Then, by his resurrection power, seek his forgiveness as you offer
your repentance. It is likely that you will need to seek his
assistance as well as his forgiveness. We’re not very good at
self-propelled repentance. His grace is freely available to all who
ask.
The Church
No one likes to be
pointed out as the “Sinner-of-the-Month.” It is therefore quite a
relief to discover that you were amongst a collection of sinners.
It’s called the church. The church is the body of Christ on earth,
and therefore has amongst its missions the problem of dealing with
other people’s sins. Take comfort in this, and ask for help as
needed.
Indeed, much of the church’s work is devoted to preventing or fixing
sin. You should not feel like you are a “victim” of this work
but rather a participant in it. We all need help; we all should give
it.
The function of the church is largely that of fellowship. You are
working out the problems of life with the accompaniment of your
fellow Christians who partake this common meal with you. We all have
something in common; we are all sinners saved by His grace. Let us
now join together in the meal that unites all Christians. Welcome to
His table!
