He Passed me the plate

It was something that had happened to me hundreds of times before.  I stood in front of the church leading in the Lord's Supper.  Taking the plates, leading in prayer, and doing it all in remembrance of the work and sacrifice of Jesus.

I had prepared and prayed and was ready to lead.  As the music started and I walked out I was reminded again of how grateful I was to be able to lead the church in this remembrance.  I think this is one the great privileiges I have as a pastor, and I have tried to never take it for granted.

Our human mind though, often forgets, even when it needs to remember.  My desk that is littered with post-it notes is a testament to that.  It is because God knows that we are prone to forget that we are told to "do this in remembrance of me."  Every time  your church partakes in this remembrance, it helps to remind us, so that we don't forget the sacrifice of Christ for us, His body broken and his blood shed.

The deacons who had served the bread to the church returned with the plates.  I took one and offered him the bread, and turned to the other side.  He also took a piece as I held it, but then he passed me the plate.

He passed me the plate.

In that moment I was overwhelmed by the sacrifice of Christ as I was reminded I'm  a participant in the Lord's Supper, not a leader.  Though it might be privilege to stand at the front of the church as we remember the body and the blood of Christ, I am just in much of that grace that was given at the cross as anyone else.

I hope you get that same kind of reminder today.