May 31, 2007
The Dinner Table
"When you call, I won't refuse. Each new day, again, I'll choose."
On the last night session of the Thirsty Conference, we shared in communion. Louie Giglio talked about how lucky we are that communion is a dinner table - it's not a conference table or a work bench. It's a dinner table. Where we sit. Where we share. Where we allow ourselves to be served.
One of the greatest stories of the Gospel is the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. He took off His outer garments - the robes that showed him to be a rabbi, a leader - and He knelt and washed the feet of his followers. In that simple act, He showed that leadership is only great when it is simultaneously humble. And then He broke the bread and poured out the wine, and the men in that room had no idea that it would be that body and that blood that would release them; free the nation of Israel; save the world.
"In the chaos, in confusion, I know You are sovereign still. In the moment of my weakness, You give me grace to do Your will. So when you call, I won't delay. This my song through all my days."
One by one the Thirsty attendees stood up and made their way to the aisles and sides of the auditorium to receive communion. David Crowder and Shelly Giglio and Matt Redman and Francis Chan and other leaders who'd come to the conference to share their gifts of song or sermon, stood holding the bread, the wine. I sat there for a few minutes, overcome with gratitude. As I walked toward the offering, I passed several of my fellow volunteers, a few of my friends, and there is something so precious in reaching out to feel the brush of a hand of someone who is feeling exactly what you're feeling in that moment. To share in the knowledge that we are redeemed! Not just saved. Not just rescued from hell. But redeemed!
John Piper says that if you simply fear hell - which you should - but if your motivation is fear of hell, and you picture a heaven without Jesus, are you really saved? Who cares about heaven if Jesus isn't there?! What would be the point? Why would I even NEED forgiveness, unless that forgiveness simply serves as a road to share eternity with my Creator?
"There is no one else for me. None but Jesus. Crucified to set me free, now I live to bring Him praise."
And as a way to recognized that awesome forgiveness - our being put back in right standing with God - we celebrate and partake in communion. I ate the bread and tasted the wine and I savored the sweetness of salvation. As I walked back to my chair, Chisty Nockels began singing "None But Jesus," a song I treasure and adore. I stood in the back of the North Point Community Church auditorium, arms outstretched and with full voice, I joined her in praise; joined her in singing a song to our Savior.
"All of my life is in You Lord. All of my hope, all of my strength. All my delight is in you Lord. For evermore."
No, there is no one else for me. None but Jesus. He was crucified to set me free and now I live to bring Him praise.
"None But Jesus," by Brooke Fraser.
Posted by hannah at 08:29 PM
