Give Thanks

A couple of weeks ago when we were taking the elements of communion at Kit Carson park, I was looking out and I saw Rosanna and the boys holding the cup and the wafer.

I could tell they were somewhat confused and she was explaining it to them, and I was trying to not be distracted by it as I led our church through the moment and simultaneously wondered what conversation they were having.

After church, Dane and Hayden both asked me what the body and the blood had to do with bread and wine. How do you explain communion to anyone, let alone to an eight and seven year old?

When you read the gospels, Jesus’ own followers were confused and offended at the idea. The idea of the bread and wine is often called the Eucharist, and this word in the Greek is “eucharisteo” and it literally means to give thanks. When Jesus established this, he did as a way of expressing gratitude. This is why it says he took the bread and He gave thanks.

In church, communion can often seem like an intimidating moment, whether you are eight or eighty. However, while it is sacred it simple. At the same time, it is something we can do everyday.

The Eucharist isn’t what we do on a Sunday once a month, the Eucharist should be what we do every day.  All moments and in all things we should give thanks to our God for the gifts that we have and the gifts that we are.  You don’t have to come to that moment in a stuffy or pious way, you come to Jesus like a child the way that He wants. You look up at Him and you give thanks.

In that moment, you realize the mysterious nature of God has become profoundly simple, the way He intended, and in a way that all of us can understand. Let us give thanks today!

Pastor Jared

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