He did it because He loves us this much.

I attended three services this Easter, all of which included Communion. The first two were at Anglican churches, and the third was at First Assembly. All three were very different from one another.

Christ Church: Easter Vigil & the First Eucharist of Easter.

This was the first Eucharist I attended, on Saturday night. The beauty of the liturgy was captured fully within the confines of the Sanctuary that night, and the triumph of the resurrection was demonstrated with the fanfare and redressing of the altar.

To be present at such a beautiful service… I cannot express the awesome power that is contained within the liturgy of my church.

Holy Trinity: Easter Sunday.

The second Eucharist I attended was one in which I was put into service. It was my turn to administer the chalice during the Communion, and there was much joy within me as I offered the cup of wine to all who paused at my station. “The blood of Christ, shed for you,” I said, smiling all the while.

To be able to offer the Sacrament in such a manner… it is joy and perfection.

First Assembly: Tehillah; Easter Monday.

The third was not a Eucharist, for Pentecostals do not deal in Sacraments to my knowledge. I was not a full participant in this Communion, not because it is not a blessed event but because I was engaged in a Communion of another sort, with my God.

And so I offer you the resultant collection of thoughts, borne of that Communion.

*****

“the work Christ did on the cross”

But is that where the work was done?

Salvation is found at the foot of the cross and in the empty tomb!

If the story ended with Good Friday, our God would not be the God we know Him to be!

The empty cross isn’t even the best symbol for this, but the empty tomb… the linens folded within… the stone, rolled away.

Christ died, but then He rose again! We have life because He lives! How glorious, what power, how amazing and awesome is this!

…and here we see why I like to celebrate Easter at the Vigil. To await the resurrection of the Christ in the dark, by the light of pale candlelight.

Sin requires a blood sacrifice to cover the debt, and this is why Christ died on the cross. BUT!!!

He rose again because of the life we have in Him… for our sins are washed away… they are gone, lost in the sea of forgetfulness.

Jesus instituted the Eucharist as a reminder of Him - His life, His death, His resurrection: in short, a reminder of His LOVE.

…our Lord Jesus Christ took bread,
and when he had given thanks to you,
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples,
and said, “Take, eat:
this is my body which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine;
and when he had given thanks,
he gave it to them,
and said, “Drink this, all of you:
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this for the remembrance of me.”

The Book of Alternative Services, p. 194
Copyright © 1985 by the General Synod
of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Not in memory of your death but of your LOVE, Lord, for you are love!