This past Thursday we gathered with friends and family to share a Thanksgiving meal and give thanks for the ways the Lord has blessed us. I found that this year I was far less intentional about giving thanks than I should have been. I gave thanks to the Lord for a few things in my mind but I got so wrapped up in family time that I didn’t stop and thank the Lord as I would have liked. I’m assuming I’m not the only one.
It’s not too late to say thank you. I want us to take a moment as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper to give thanks. This is another meal of thanksgiving. Communion is our Thanksgiving meal. Look at all the reasons we have to be thankful.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (ESV)
What can we thank Jesus for? We thank Jesus for being willing to be betrayed. He knew it was going to happen and he did it anyways. We thank Jesus for offering his body as a sacrifice. We thank Jesus that we can remember what he has done for us because the Scriptures and other believers tell us.
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (ESV)
We thank Jesus for cutting a new covenant in his own blood. He ratified a new promise between God and man that anyone who repents of their sins and believes in Jesus will be saved (Acts 16:31; 1 John 1:9). We thank Jesus for sacrificing his body and blood to save our bodies and blood. We thank Jesus that we can have eternal life through a relationship with him. We thank Jesus for the opportunities he gives us to tell others about his death and his resurrection; and we pray Jesus helps us share him well.
The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to tell Jesus thank you. It’s an opportunity to thank God for saving us through Christ Jesus. If that’s you, if you’re thankful for salvation through Christ, please take the supper and say thank you. If you don’t know Jesus yet, if you’re not thankful for him yet, would you just let it go by? But maybe you’re ready today. If that’s you, I’m so thankful. Turn from your sins and thank Jesus for the gift of salvation. Tell Jesus thank you.
Pastor Jonathan Romig wrote this reflection on the Lord’s Supper following Thanksgiving. For more brief explanations of Communion click here. Please feel free to use them in your church.