All of the ways in which we hunger and thirst
April 24th, 2022 – Communion meditation
John 6:1-3, 5a, 9-12 (NLT) – “After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him . . . Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him . . . ‘There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?’ ‘Tell everyone to sit down,’ Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, ‘Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.’”
John 6:35 – The next day, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Communion is a time when we can experience very tangibly God’s abundant care for us – physically, emotionally, spiritually. We see in the passages we just read in the gospel of John that Jesus fed those who were physically hungry, and the very next day He revealed Himself to His disciples as the bread of life, the one who satisfies all of our needs. Later in the gospel of John, in chapter 10, Jesus explained that the reason He came was to give us a rich, full, satisfying, abundant life. In taking part in the Lord’s Supper, we receive a taste of God’s generous provision for us in all of the ways in which we hunger and thirst.
Please join me in receiving the elements in obedience to Christ. In doing so we experience and cultivate abiding in Christ in a way that is simultaneously beautiful, special, tangible, and mysterious.
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread and said, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Eat together) Again, Jesus took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Drink together)
We remember, honor, and worship you, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
