Shown the Lord’s Death

Tonight we approach a sacred table. We involve ourselves in a serious matter. We consider an incredible Truth.The bread and cup on this table, along with the basins and towels beside it, are not to be regarded as a sort of means of the soul's absolution. That would be sacrilege and abomination.Nor are they to be observed as just another ritual.This would be the most degradable insult.These were commanded of our Lord to be teachers, instrumental pictures to show us something. Something as old as Time itself. Something that is more enduring than the rocks of the old mountains. Something that is ever new and fresh, and sweet to the deepest part of man.

We seem to ever stand in the need of being shown. When his brethren excitedly told him how their crucified Lord had appeared to them and that He was alive forevermore, Thomas would reply, "Except I see…" Jesus would soon appear right next to Thomas and show him. We are much like Thomas. This is why the Lord wanted His people to partake of these ordinances regularly. By Communion and Feet Washing we are motivated to remember the What, the Who, and the Why of our soul's only salvation and manner of living. We remember as a result of being shown. When we look down at the piece of broken bread, it shows us again a Body that was broken, that suffered, in our place for our sake. When we look into the cup that is dark and red, we are being shown the means by which our ugly, wicked sins are washed away, by His precious and Divine Blood. The basin, water, and towel together show us the very nature of Christ toward His own–lowest humility, limitless serving, and deepest love.

To be a part of this service is to be wonderfully shown once more what really matters in the heart, in the life, and in eternity. By being shown again, we are assured, humbled, and realigned in our relationship with Him and with His own. And if we take what is shown us tonight to heart, then and only then, can we and will we take Him to those in our world who are without Him, and show them.

Are you ready to look, to be shown? He bids us, like Thomas, to come, see, and touch. Be not faithless, but believing. Then go ye into all the world… and show…until He come.