Source
Originally scheduled for June 26
As of this writing there is a debate going on about electric
vehicles. One side says that such vehicles are “pollution free.”
They use nothing but electricity, and therefore commit no
environmental sins. The other side points out that the electricity
must come from somewhere, very often coal powered electric plants.
It is not our purpose in this meditation to solve this debate, but
rather to point out that serious thought often requires us to look
beyond the object in question to a source. If you do not consider
the source behind something, you usually have not examined the
issues completely. Sources are important.
Nowhere is this
more true than in the Christian faith. Clear thinking requires us to
look at God as the source of many things.
God is the source of power. Most of us understand this in terms of
wanting our prayers answered. We are quite willing to give good
advice to God about how problems should be solved, and cheerfully
expect him to do it in the way we specify. It is as if God was some
sort of Jack-in-the-Box who pops up when we ask, solves all our
troubles and then goes back to his little box. If we think this way,
we miss the truth about God as the source of power. Remember, he is
the Almighty Creator. In his hands the universe continues to run.
That should serve as a reminder that his power includes power over
us. If he feels that we need to be disciplined or corrected, he has
the power to do so. We often wish to put this to one side — but the
source of power cannot be shunted aside so conveniently.
God is the source of mercy. To understand this correctly, we must
take a look in the bathroom mirror. If you see yourself in the
mirror as one who is perfectly upright, a model Christian privileged
to correct others, may I suggest that you look again. The honest
view in the clear mirror is that you — like the rest of us — are a
sinner. It’s an important view because only sinners really need
mercy. Most of us have no desire for justice to be applied to us
personally; there are no volunteers for prison. We are sinners in
need of mercy, and there is only one source for it. The scriptures
teach this from the earliest portions of the Old Testament, finding
the ultimate example at the Cross. God is the source of the mercy
that brought you the forgiveness of your sins.
God is the source of love. The Scripture tells us that God is love.
It is so much a part of his character that it is intrinsic to him.
Most of us see this in our relationship with him, and in his love
and care for us. The proper response to this starts with gratitude;
sometimes you just have to say “thank you.” But consider: more than
gratitude, our response should be following his example. We are
Christians, the imitators of Christ. Christ was sent to us out of
God’s love, the highest example of love the world has ever seen.
Communion shows all of this to us. To partake of communion is
to remember, to bring to mind. And what should we have in mind as we
take communion?
Power — over the grave. The resurrection shows us God’s power in a
way that is unimaginable to those who are not Christians. What
power, they might ask, is greater than death? The only answer is the
power of the Holy Spirit as he raised Christ from the dead.
Mercy — shown in his body and blood. As you partake, remember that
the bread represents his body, tortured and broken for your sake.
The cup represents his blood, shed so that you might have
forgiveness of sins and eternal life. For sinners such as we, what
greater mercy could be shown?
Love — shown in his care. If you are a faithful Christian, you have
experienced his tender care. He will be beside you all your life,
even crossing over into death. At the time appointed by the Father,
he will return and raise the dead to eternal life with him. As with
his resurrection, so it shall be with us. What greater love could we
see than this?
As you partake this morning, do so in
reverence. You are handling holy things; things of great power,
mercy and love.
