Repeating the Signs

This morning we saw how all of the questions of the priests and Levites led them on an “Adventure in Missing the Point.” In all of their questions and in all of their preconceived ideas of what they were looking for, they had missed the point, they had forgotten the signs. The One who was coming after John stood in their midst and they didn’t know Him. The light was shining in the darkness and the darkness didn’t comprehend it. Well, in God’s goodness and mercy He has given us these signs, bread and wine, to keep us from missing the point. Each and every week we receive these signs of the body and blood of Christ to keep our minds and hearts focused upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. Week after week the light and life of men and the world shines in our darkness and gives us His body broken and His blood shed so that our eyes will be opened to Him. This is of course the tragedy of the contemporary church, which has removed these signs from their place in the weekly liturgy to a once a month, or once a quarter observance. Is it any wonder that the Church has by and large lost her way? We need to have Jesus Christ front and center. This is again part of the beauty and utility of the Christian Year, rehearsing the story of Jesus Christ year after year, and it is surely the blessing of weekly communion, receiving the signs of Jesus Christ week after week. In eating this bread and drinking this wine by faith alone in Christ alone you will be kept from missing the point, from missing the presence of Christ in your life. So come eat and drink for you belong to Him and He delights in you! In His goodness and grace He has given you these signs that in receiving them, you might receive Him, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!