Learn to live freely and lightly
October 8th, 2023 – Communion Meditation
This week I’ve been reminded over and over of Jesus’ beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28 (NLT) – “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” That verse and the two following it are rendered this way in The Message translation – “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
This table of communion is a table of grace. This table is a place where we can know and receive God’s full acceptance and love because this is a place where we remember and receive Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. As 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us, Christ died for all, so that we might live no longer for ourselves but for the one who for our sake died and was raised.
Let’s pause for a few moments, close our eyes, and reflect back on this past week. Notice, without judgment, where you were, who you were with, and what went on. Enter into the sanctuary of this place right here and this time right now, this place of communion, to meet with the Lord. In participating in the body and blood of Christ, we are invited to get away with Jesus and recover our life. God is persistently and passionately pursuing each of us, each person on the planet. Each one of us is being wooed to walk with God and to work with God. As we engage more fully in this beautiful relationship for which we were created, Jesus teaches us unforced rhythms of grace, and we begin to learn to live freely and lightly, no matter who we are, who we’re with, or what circumstances are going on in or around us.
As we receive the bread and the cup today, be aware that we are receiving real, fresh grace from Christ. Hear God’s heart, precious brothers and sisters: God is with you. God is for you. The Lord will never leave you or abandon you. Jesus is with you always.
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)
