I was fed today – more spiritually than physically – but then it was my spirit more than my body that needed nourishment today. The menu for this meal is a simple one, one which hasn’t changed over time. Actually, this meal is over two-thousand years old and I have partaken of it many times in the past. I am always grateful to have a seat at the table.

So today, on my favorite day, Sunday, I find myself sitting in my favorite seat, my seat at the table. Surrounded by sinners and saints alike, all of us singing our hearts out to God, I settle into the service as sunlight pours through the stained glass – stained glass that has stood for more than a century, watching over and witnessing the worship of generation after generation.

The meal we shared today started with Jesus and His disciples. It was called the Last Supper because it was the last meal Jesus shared with them before His crucifixion. That Last Supper became the first of many meals shared down through the ages, now called communion or the Lord’s Supper.

That night in the upper room, it was bread and wine that were shared. Today it is often crackers and juice, but the purpose of the shared food remains the same. It is for us to remember something vitally important.

” . . . You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

I was bought at a price? I was bought at a price! And what a price it was that was paid!

“because You (Jesus) were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

Jesus paid my price, my debt to God, with His own body and blood given on the cross to make atonement for my sin, so I could have a place in God’s kingdom, a seat at His table, a relationship with Him as one who has been redeemed, released from debt and reconciled to God.

Why blood? Hebrews 9:22 tells me why and Leviticus 17:11 explains further the necessity of the blood sacrifice.

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

And so I drank the juice today, remembering these words from Matthew 26:27-28,

“Then He (Jesus) took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’ ”

And I ate the cracker today while listening to these familiar words from Luke 22:19,

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ”

That’s why I am called to His table – to remember. I need to remember the price that was paid for me. I need to remember Whose I am. Because when I know Whose I am then I know who I am. (there’s that identity thing again, post #88 identity)

My Savior, who died on that cross, doesn’t want me to forget the price that He paid to redeem my soul for eternity. He doesn’t want me to forget who I am in Him. Now I readily confess – I am prone to forgetfulness. But my Heavenly Father wants to remind me that I am His image bearer because I am created in His image.

Sometimes we need a meal to help us remember. The Lord’s Supper is that meal. It is a meal of reflection and remembrance. It is a meal of repentance and restoration. It is a meal of renewal and reaffirmation of my calling in Christ, lest I forget at what price I was purchased. Lest I forget that my sin debt has been paid in full.

The world may put a price on me and on you, dear reader, but it won’t be a true reflection of our worth. It will be based on possessions, appearance, achievements, fame, talent etc. – a whole host of ever changing circumstances. But my worth, your worth, in Christ never changes because He never changes.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

And we are of infinite value to Him. Consider what Jesus says in Matthew 10:29-31,

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

The same One who holds every star in place holds onto me! I will not be misplaced! or forgotten. or abandoned.

“He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

I will not go missing either. Sharing in this meal today, reminds me once again, just what great lengths God went to, just how great a price He paid to redeem my soul. This knowledge is more than I can grasp just as Paul says in Ephesians 3:18-19,

“may (you) have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Today I was filled to the measure once again as I remembered and reflected on His body and His blood, broken and poured out for me and for you on that cross so long ago. Jesus paid the highest price, the ultimate price for me and for you.

” . . . He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)

“he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

today I ate at His table, this meal of remembrance. may I never forget Whose I am and at what a price I was purchased . . .

sincerely, Grace Day