Communion Message
(Eternal Harmony)
April 6, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

John MacArthur tells this story. He said: centuries ago, it was known far and wide that a certain tribal leader was the greatest in all of the tribes. When power was measured by proving superior physical strength, the most powerful tribe of all was the one that had the strongest leader.

But this tribal leader was also known for his wisdom. In order to help his people live safely and peacefully, he carefully put laws into place guiding every aspect of tribal life. The leader enforced those laws strictly and had long ago acquired a reputation for uncompromising justice. In spite of the laws, there were problems. One day it came to the leader's attention that someone in the tribe was stealing. He called the people together.

He said, "You know that the laws are here for your protection, to help you live safely and in peace. This stealing must stop. We all have what we need. The penalty has been increased from ten to twenty lashes from the whip for the person caught stealing." But the thief continued to take things that didn't belong to him, and so the leader called all the people together again.

"Please hear me," he pled. "This must stop. It hurts us all. It makes us all feel bad about each other. The penalty has been increased to thirty lashes." And still, the stealing continued. The leader gathered the people together once more. "Please, I'm begging you. For your sake, this has to stop. The pain it's causing us is far too great. The penalty has been increased to forty lashes from the whip." Those who were closest to him saw the single tear make its way down the face of this great leader.

Finally, a man came to say the thief had been caught. The word spread quickly and everyone gathered to see who it was. A single gasp raced through the crowd as the thief emerged between two guards. The tribal leader's face fell in shock and grief. The thief was his very own mother, old and frail.

"What will he do?" the people wondered aloud, a hushed murmur fanning out. Would he uphold the law or would his love for his mother win over it? The people waited. Finally their leader spoke and his voice broke as he said, "My beloved people. It is for our safety and our peace. There must be forty lashes; the pain this crime has caused is too great." And with his nod, the guards led his mother forward. One gently removed her robe to expose a bony and crooked back. The appointed man stepped forward and began to unwind the whip.

At the same moment, the leader stepped forward and removed his robe as well, exposing his broad shoulders, seasoned and solid. Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around his dear mother, shielding her with his own body. He whispered gently against her cheek as his tears blended with hers. He nodded once more, and the whip came down again and again. In that moment, love and justice found harmony.

This story, centuries old, is such an appropriate allegory to describe what took place on Calvary's cross. You see, each and everyone of us was the thief and we had stolen that which rightfully belonged to God. And the penalty for that theft was death; for the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. As that great leader protected with his own body the one he loved, so Jesus protected with His body the ones that He loves by paying the wages of our sin on Calvary's cross.

Many centuries before, Isaiah the prophet wrote in chapter 53: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

By His stripes we are healed. I'd like to invite you to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior. The Scriptures say at times like these we should examine our self.

Lord, thank you for taking the punishment that we deserved upon Yourself. Lord we are a sinful people, but we desire to bring honor and glory to You. Each and every day, each and every one of us think and say and do things that are displeasing to You. Your word says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And Lord, that is our desire now, to be forgiven and cleansed, as we partake of these elements in remembrance of You. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.