Waterski
Originally scheduled for September 1
John 15:9-10
There are some stories which only come out at
family gatherings. You know the type of stories they are; humorous,
though not funny at the time they happened. A story that can be
shared amongst the family in an atmosphere of laughter and love.
For example, there was the day I was supposed to learn how to
waterski. I was 10 years old and my uncle had the finest looking
inboard motor powerboat on the Ohio River — a mahogany masterpiece.
He assured me that it would be no trouble at all to learn how to
waterski; just hold onto the rope. So, with lifejacket in place and
ready to go, I took my place behind the boat. The boat roared off
with me behind — but not skiing. I was being dragged along at about
100 miles an hour (or so it seemed), swallowing most of the Ohio
River as I went. When my relatives tell the story today, they always
ask me how many fish I swallowed as I went. It took some time for
the folks in the boat to realize I wasn’t skiing, but eventually I
was rescued from the river. You can only tell a story like that
among loving relatives. One of the uses of a family is to laugh at
our pain. It unites us as a family. But note, please, this has to be
done in an atmosphere of love, not an atmosphere of ridicule. You
don’t share things like this with people who don’t love you.
That’s why Christ told us that we are the family of God. We are to
be a community which shares love and pain with each other. As Christ
told his disciples,
As the Father has loved me, so have I
loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will
abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and
abide in his love.
(John 15:9-10 ESV)
We see such a story in
communion. It reminds us of the central message of the gospel; how
God in the flesh, Jesus the Christ, came to be living among us and
was crucified for our sins. Crucified — but the story has a happy
ending. Three days later he rose from the grave, triumphant. Because
of this our sins are forgiven and we are guaranteed salvation. It’s
a story to share with those who will learn to love the Lord Jesus.
Communion is the symbolic portrayal of that story. The bread
symbolizes his body, hung on the cross for us. The cup portrays his
blood. We share this story among his loving family. It is the
greatest token of love ever given; Christ loves his church. It is
only fitting and proper that we love him in return. As you partake
this morning, remember his great love for you. Remember the
sacrifice of his body and blood. Then remember to share his story
with all you can.
