Purple Heart

Originally scheduled for April 19

The State of California, like many others, offers its motorists a wide variety of what are referred to as “vanity plates.” Most of these are available to anyone who wishes to spend the extra cash, but there is one in particular which has another qualification. It is the “Purple Heart” license plate. It’s not just money; you have to have actually earned a Purple Heart. For those who might not know, the Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers and sailors who are wounded in combat. It might seem to some that this is just a symbol of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. After all, incoming artillery shells always have the right of way. But it also carries a more subtle message. It says, as nothing else can, I suffered for your freedom.
 
Is this just a medal commemorating the soldiers bad luck? Most veterans would not say so. Rather it reflects the fact that I was voluntarily in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since you don’t know for a fact that you’re going to be injured, you don’t have to worry about it. Contrast that with Christ anticipating the crucifixion in the garden of Gethsemane. He knew what was coming. He accepted the inevitable, as prophesied, and when the time came he was calm.
 
Communion is, in the way, Christ’s Purple Heart. He voluntarily took the risk that led to the Cross. He knew the prophecies; he knew His Father’s will. Like a good soldier, you see no since of bravado about him. Rather, it is a calm acceptance of what must be done. We commemorate this in the elements of communion. In the bread we see his body, broken for us. In the cup we see his blood, shed so that we might have forgiveness. Taken as one, we see the atonement being offered for our sins — the Lamb of God.
 
As you partake this morning, do so in a solemn and worthy manner. You hold in your hands his body and blood; do so with proper respect.