Years ago I read an article and kept some of the thoughts as research material. Since it was so long ago I don't remember what were her thoughts or what were mine. However, I wanted to mention her name because I feel she was speaking exactly what I believe. Connie Hopper/April 2002 Singing News (The Printed voice of Southern Gospel Music)
A WEEKLY CELEBRATION finds Christ's Church meeting everywhere throughout the world and somewhere in a local congregation. There are many names for it but some call it Sunday Morning Worship; some call it Church; some call it Sunday School and Church; and all know that it is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Oh, I know Easter is coming but we remember Him the first day of every week.
Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church on Sunday mornings? Is it because it is a good thing to do? Perhaps it is a habit? I would like to think it is a desire of the heart that takes you there so you can sing His praises; so you can lift your voices together in unity and worship. I would like to think it is for the moment of coming face to face with your Lord and Savior at His table. His table, which He instituted so we would remember Him and His suffering for each of us. Jesus promised He would not eat this bread or drink this cup again until he eats and drinks with His Apostles when he returns. The early church followed this memorial and so do we today. It is a celebration of His death! A celebration of His resurrection! A celebration.
You know, the cross was a terrible death and Jesus endured it for us. What kind of love would lead a man to die like this? What kind of man would suffer excruciating torture for ungrateful sinners? What kind of a Father would let His son be brutalized and degraded like that? Have you ever wondered why? Jesus is a builder! He is building a bridge that spans the world into His kingdom, the church. John 3:16 says that "God so Loved the world!" His love was given, to give man a way to Him - the bridge! Jesus Christ!
Obviously, man's rebellion against God was so serious that only the perfect obedience of a perfect man could restore the breach between them. We know that man! He is Jesus! Yet to His countrymen, His death was a stumbling block and it was foolishness to the Gentiles. Even today it is a stumbling block and it is often explained away as folly. A crucified God can only be perceived by faith and love. Reason can be explained, but love believes. Reason can persuade, but love convinces. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 it says; "For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
That kind of love which emptied itself out on the cross - can never really be emptied out - as a matter of fact it was and is being offered to us today. God's love cries down through the ages saying "This is my beloved son, listen to Him; This is my beloved son, follow Him; This is my beloved son, love Him; This is my beloved son, imitate Him." Many times, the scripture that says; "Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" in 1 Corinithians 11:28 does not mean we are to examine ourselves while at the table. We are to wash our hands before we come to the table. Your examination takes place moment by moment and you should be ready to be on your knees with thanksgiving and celebration as you remember the act on the Cross and the suffering that was executed on your behalf.
Anyone who eats or drinks without realizing that this is all about Jesus, is eating and drinking judgement upon himself. Verse 29! To often we want to think about ourselves when it has nothing to do with us. It is all about Him; Our Savior; Jesus the Christ; the Son of the Living God. "So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another." Verse 33 Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah, Amen! Adapted By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/18/09
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