Old and New
Originally scheduled for September 11
Mankind is a curious species. Other animals live in the present,
the “eternal now.” Mankind lives in the present but also lives in
eternity. You can see this in our shopping habits. If you go to buy
a car, you wanted to have the latest bells and whistles, electronic
systems to keep you safe and assist you along the way. You will then
take that car and go to an antique store to purchase something
expensive because it is rare; and rare because it is old. We see no
contradiction in this; it’s how God designed human beings. We crave
the new and the wonderful; we crave the old and secure — and no one
thinks this to be a contradiction. It’s not; human beings are that
way by design. It is no surprise, therefore, that Communion is
specifically designed to appeal to both the “now” and the “forever.”
Let’s look at the “now.”
Communion is a contemporary thing, as it must be taught from
generation to generation. It doesn’t come inbred in the human being;
we learned from our ancestors. It is therefore new to us.
It is a reflection of God and his mercy. You will remember the verse
which tells us that his mercies are new every morning. Therefore, in
communion, you should seek his mercies every time you partake.
The Orthodox Jew often starts his prayers with the phrase, “Our God,
and the God of our fathers.” They know that you have to have both:
God must be yours, personally, so that your faith is alive. It must
be the God of your fathers so that you are not blown around by every
bright idea that comes down the church entryway. Thus it must be
learned anew in each generation.
But Communion is also
eternal.
It is based on the atonement — God’s plan for our salvation, created
before the world’s began. It was not an emergency measure to rescue
creatures gone wrong. It was the plan from the beginning. Therefore,
Communion is also part of the plan from the beginning.
It comes from God, the unchanging one. It is based on his unchanging
mercy, on which we can rely for eternity. His mercy is always
available.
It is delivered to us through the church — the body of Christ on
this earth. The church is not a temporary thing, but an eternal one.
It’s teachings are eternal as well — including Communion.
As
you partake this morning remember these things. Lean upon the Rock
of Ages; seek forgiveness from the Ancient of Days. As you seek his
forgiveness, arrange for your reconciliation with him, and with your
Christian brothers and sisters. Seek their forgiveness as well as
His. Reconcile your “now” with his eternal purposes. Examine
yourself; then partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ, your
Savior.
