Tears of Gratitude

When it was time for communion service, the congregation was invited to come forward to receive the bread and cup from one of the pastor and deacons. They told each one personally of Jesus’ sacrifice for him or her. It was an especially moving experience doing what can often become just routine. Each member slowly and quietly receive the communion. It was very moving to see how many of the members had tears in their eyes. These were not tears of sadness but tears of gratitude.

The reason for tears of gratitude is seen in the reason for the communion table itself. Paul, after instructing the church at Corinth about the meaning of the memorial supper, punctuated his comments with these powerful words: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). With the elements of communion pointing directly to the cross and the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, that service was about so much more than ritual—it was about Christ. His love. His sacrifice. His cross. For us.

How inadequate words are to convey the extraordinary worth of Christ! Sometimes tears of gratitude speak what words can’t fully express.

Insight:

For centuries, the Jewish community of faith had called to memory God’s provision of their deliverance out of bondage in Egypt. This memorial was celebrated through the Passover meal (EX, 12:1-28). A roasted Lamb, unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs, and other items helped them remember their salvation from slavery. In our devotional today, we see how our Lord took that sacred feast and transformed it into a memorial of His own sacrificial death (see Luke 22:19).

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”—1 Corinthians 11:26