The Blood Spilled for Us

“Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Matthew 26:27-28

The unthinkable happened during communion yesterday. My 10 year-old, Gabe, spilled the juice as he was being served! I have always had this haunting fear that this would happen someday. Well it finally did.

When I saw the communion trays stacked on the communion table, I mentioned to Melody that she make sure she helped Gabe and Keller when the elements were served. We did just fine when the bread came by…everything got passed right along without a hitch at all. Ok…one down one to go.

We were at the early service and I had taken notice of the amount of seats between Gabe and the lady closest to him on his left. There had to be at least 9 or 10 seats between them and I was hoping that the gentlemen serving would not depend on Gabe to stand up and carry the entire tray of juice to the lady. That could end up giving new meaning to the phrase “washed in His blood.” Surely they will serve Gabe and then take the tray and serve her.

Well it didn’t get that far. Melody was holding the tray while Gabe and Keller reached for their plastic communion cup full of juice. Keller got hers without a problem. As Gabe was getting his, Melody, who was holding the tray, looked up at the guy serving them and began lifting the tray up like she was handing it to him. This would have been fine except for the fact that Gabe was a little slow and was still lifting his cup up and over the tray. You guessed it, the cup got knocked out of Gabe’s hand and grape juice spilled everywhere.

I caught all of this out of the corner of my eye. Immediately a rush of hot anger shot down my back and my first inclination was to come unglued with Gabe and give him the scolding of his life about being careful. As I watched, however, I saw grace.

Scotty Morris, the Elder who happened to be serving us, quickly smiled and gave Gabe a new cup. Isn’t that just like God? Just like the Gospel?

As my anger dissipated, I repented. I had to face the fact that what I was really concerned about was my reputation and what the people around us were thinking. Because of my embarrassment, I had almost wounded my son.

I want to be like Scotty Morris…quick to give others a second, third, fourth, or even fifth chance. That is grace and THAT is what the blood is for.

Father, thank You for spilling Your blood for all of us!