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Weekly E-Devotional for 3/31/2009
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“Words We Want to Hear”
Several years ago, there was a survey done where hundreds of people were
asked the question, “What are the words you most like to have said to you?”
Well, as you can imagine, the most important words, #1 on the list was, “I love
you.” The second most often given answer doesn’t surprise us terribly –
many of us would have guessed it as well. #2 on the list was “you are
forgiven.” But the third most common answer may come as a bit of a
surprise. They are the words, “Supper’s ready.” I’m guessing the
survey was taken in the south, otherwise they would have said, “Dinner’s ready.”
As we move through the Lenten season, it seems to me that all these words are
said to us at various times. If there is any central message of Jesus’
life, it had to be, “I love you.” You see it in how he treated people and
in how he taught; even telling us that the greatest command of all is to love
God and our neighbor. It was God’s love that sent Jesus to live among us
and ultimately to die for us. The message of the Cross is “You are
forgiven.” Jesus instituted a new way of life where forgiveness and not
retribution would reign supreme. He forgave Peter for denying him and
Jesus even forgave his persecutors while hanging on the cross. His
forgiveness of our sins brings us into relationship with God and into an eternal
relationship with him. On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus
instituted the meal of reconciliation. We call it Holy Communion – Holy
Eucharist – the Lord’s Supper. There is a profound sense in which every
time we serve Communion, we are saying, “Supper is ready” and it is prepared by
the Master Himself.
Over the next few days, in a powerful and dramatic way, we will experience
each of these things. We will hear of God’s love over-arching everything.
We will hear of God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ as we go to the Cross of
Christ on Good Friday. We will hear the voice of Jesus as we gather on
Maundy Thursday, telling us to “take, eat, this is my body which is given for
you.” Supper is ready – but this meal doesn’t fill the body, it changes
the soul.
I’m praying and pulling for you.
Bobby
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