Show and Tell

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio 

I'd be happy to make more communion sets

I’m sure you can remember back to grade school or kindergarden when you were encouraged to bring something from home to share with your class  You were probably nervous and while some kids new instantly what they wanted to share, you might have agonized over your choice. Should you share something that was really special to you or would that leave you vulnerable to the bullies. In your childhood example you were telling your friends by showing them something that was important to you.  

Its says in John 13:1 NIV  It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

This was more than Jesus simply bringing something of heaven to share at show and tell. He did more than that, he demonstrated with his life. He was open and vulnerable and truly risked the rejection of those for whom he came. Jesus did not just bring us words. He is the living Word. He demonstrated his love in shocking and compelling ways through out his earthly ministry. People would note how he taught with an authority that was unfamiliar to them among Rabbi’s.  When he prayed - stuff happened. Even when John the Baptist sent his disciples to find out what was going on. They were told  Luke 7:22 “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Yes he was showing them the full extent of his love. He showed them how far he was willing to go in order to reconcile them and us to the Father. 

You have to realize this was not just a sudden knee jerk response to the problem. He planned for this moment at least as far back as Moses and probably long before that.  In Egypt at the first passover meal the blood of a spotless lamb that was placed over the door of each house. This caused the death angel of judgement passed over them. Do you see it? He shows us that Love is a sacrifice, one he is willing to make.  At the cross he he shows us the full extent of his love and becomes the spotless lamb, the sacrifice and the death angel passes over each of us. 

Mosaic communion sets start at $75.00

The passover meal was a carefully followed ordinance filled with tradition. There were particular symbolic foods and drinks with important remembrances of the amazing deliverance of the the Israelites out of slavery and bondage.  At shocking places during this meal, Jesus says that the bread is his body. What the heck?  Again at another significant point he takes the final cup and says not the familiar words they were expecting but instead tells them that this cup is his blood. I’m sure there was some murmmering going on in the room. Then he ties it all to a future celebration heaven and tells everyone in Matthew 26:29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." All of this had to be shocking but not yet the full extent of his love. In the garden where he goes to pray. It is said that being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. None of the things that were soon to transpire were a surprise for Him. He knew what was coming and he asks the Father is there another way? No.... He is not forced to drink the cup he willingly continues on to be betrayed by a kiss and finally to the cross. Father forgive them they no not what they are doing. These are the ways he showed the full extent of his love. 

1 Cor 11:23-26  On the night when Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread and gave thanks for it. Then he broke the bread and said, "This is my body; it is for you. Do this to remember me." In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, "This cup shows the new agreement from God to his people. This new agreement begins with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me." Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show others about the Lord's death until he comes.

Did you catch that last line? 

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you show others about the Lord’s death until he come. 

Yes you show others....

You have the opportunity to not just tell people but to show them his love with your life.  In taking the bread and cup you are entering into this covenant of love.  You are extending the full extent of Gods love as you demonstrate his love with your life. 

Remember the full extent of his love next time you take the bread and the cup. 

PS. I try to post my available projects in my online shop http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/MM-Fractured-Designs  I have all sort of items in a variety of price ranges. I don't have any communion sets left presently but I would be happy to do a commission project using your choices of colors and design elements.