Communion Message
Reading from Mark 15
February 6, 2005
Pastor Donald Sheley

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered unto you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Paul tells us that each time we participate in the communion service we're broadcasting once again that glorious truth that on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for my sin.

Mark records the event thusly: Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."

And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!" But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomsoever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" And they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"

So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. Then the soldiers led Him away into a hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

That's the scene that's 2000 years removed from us this morning, but it's that scene of Calvary where the problem of sin was forever resolved because Jesus took our sins as our substitute and died the death that we should die because of our sins so that we could live forever. This is the event that makes this a very sacred moment.

And what I'd like for you to do, instead of kneeling today we're just going to stand quietly and reverently in His presence with your heads bowed.

Jesus, every Sunday morning when we come to church we have the opportunity to remember Your death and the price that You paid so we could be forgiven. May this moment never become routine, and may the wonder of our salvation never leave us, to know that You loved us so much, dear Jesus, You left heaven's glory to come to a world that rejected You, to pay a price and a debt we could not pay, so that we might be made children of the most high God. Marvel of marvels, wonder of wonders, and Jesus, we bow in Your presence and say thank you. Let's take the bread together...and then the cup.

Wonderful Jesus, matchless Lord, gracious Redeemer, precious Savior, Almighty God, our heavenly Father; we love you dear Jesus. Amen