CHOCOLATE CHURCH (a communion meditation)

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.  There they crucified him . . . (John 19:17-18).

I do not specifically recall where I read this statistic, but if memory serves me correctly, Americans eat enough chocolate each year to average out to 12 pounds of chocolate per person.  That is a lot of chocolate!  Now I personally know a couple of people who do not like chocolate.  First, it is amazing that one could not like chocolate!  How could that be?  Second,  I think I make up for what those two people do not eat!  Why do I like chocolate?  First, it tastes good--and it is kind of good for you as well.  There are few things better a dark chocolate kiss with a cup of strong black coffee.  Not only does it taste delicious, all those anti-oxidants are helping your body stay healthy.  Second, chocolate makes one feel better.  If your mood is down, have a piece of chocolate.  Immediately life will seem a little brighter.  Not only that, Dove chocolates wrap their chocolates in wrappers with heart-warming sayings that enhance the experience.

The reason I bring all this up about chocolate is that we have come to expect our experience in church to be like eating chocolate, to taste good, to feel good, and be comfortable, listening to heart-warming sayings.  We have to understand that dealing with sin and sinners is not a neat, comfortable or even sanitary process.  Crucifixion was a horrible torture.  Tears, sweat, blood and prayers were shed for us.  Violence and injustice took a life given to us in love so that we could be pardoned and forgiven.  God did not insulate himself from the horrible pain of purchasing salvation!  If there are tears shed as one comes to know God and his Son Jesus Christ.  If there is loud weeping as one surrenders their life to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so be it!  If there are tears of remorse as one confesses his sin before taking communion, so be it!  The Church is a hospital for sinners where the struggle of life and death are real, where the battle against satan is real.

Church is about life & death, blood and tears, change and loss, hope and love.  It is a battleground where victories are won.

Our Father's Love,
Tom