Goldilocks
Originally scheduled for April 9
You will of course recall the story. That classic of children’s
literature, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, is a familiar one to
parents. Remember that Goldilocks went rushing into the bears’ house
and began her career of breaking, entering and theft by consuming
some porridge. But not just any porridge would do; one bowl was too
hot, the other too cold but the third bowl was “just right.” She
gives us an example here of porridge meeting requirements: it needs
to be exactly just right. If something is going to be “just right”,
it must meet the exact requirements. That means you know what the
requirements are are.
Communion may be examined this way. If we
understand the purpose and “rightness” of communion, we can see that
it is “just right.” Communiontells us the most important things
about Christianity and Christ.
·
It reminds us of the atonement.
·
It repeats our understanding of His suffering.
·
It emphasizes His love for us.
In short, it does the “right
things.”
It does them in the “right way” – simple, using
commonplace elements. This way we may be sure that all
Christians can afford to take communion.
It produces the “right
result” – a pure heart, repentant and able to see God.
Remember
David’s phrasing: “create in me a new heart, O God.”
Right
things, right way, … right results. Even Goldilocks would
understand!
