Our church observed the Lord's Supper this past week. My youngest was giddy as soon as she found out. She always gets excited to participate in the Lord's Supper. In fact, while the baptismal water was still dripping off of her, the first words she said were "Now I can have those little cups and crackers."I have never approached the Lord's Supper with that kind of unabashed enthusiasm. It's always been a serious, somber thing with heavy focus on Christ's suffering and death and my sin. And it should be. But I couldn't get Rachel's excitement out of my mind during that time of quiet reflection and preparation.
For her, it's about inclusion. She's part of something. She gets to participate. She's on the the inside. That's a beautiful thing in itself- to have Jesus Christ Himself invite you to be part of an intimate family remembrance… what a privilege. She treats it that way.
As I sat beside her while she squirmed waiting for the signal to eat, I thought about the words the pastor read. "I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." See, it's a promise. This event is so special, so deeply meaningful that Jesus isn't going to observe it again until we are there with Him. Each time we participate, it's one step closer to the day when we share it as one body, one family, a joyous celebration of a completed work.
So true–my big goal was to stay focused and not think about anything else. But she did it without the constant reminding. It was a big deal to her and should have been to me. I try to keep that solemnity and forget, like you said, that we are one step closer. Excellent post.