Leviticus 17:11 (NIV)
11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
In the Older testament, in the Book of Leviticus, we are told that the shedding of blood is required for atonement. When Adam and Eve sinned, they became aware that they were naked. At that time, God made them coverings out of the skins of animals. In order to obtain those skins, the animals had to die. The blood of those animals made atonement for Adam and Eve’s sin. Many years later, Jesus shed His blood at the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22 NIV).
In our Church, Communion has been served weekly using little plastic cups. We walk up to the front of Center Court and are given the elements of Bread and Juice. During Communion, we have a Prayer Partner in the back of the room for any who need prayer. On my assigned Sunday, I usually partner with my friend Jan. The Communion servers come to the back of the room after serving in the front to serve the Prayer Partners and the AV people as well as any who could not come up for Communion. This particular Sunday, I was praying with a person when they came back so Jan took the elements, waited until I finished praying and then served me Communion. That is when something curious, even supernatural happened.
I finished Communion and remained standing in the back of Center Court. There are spotlights in the ceiling over my head. I was standing right underneath one light. As I stood there holding the cup, the light caught the residue of the juice in the bottom and twinkled in my eye. It kept glimmering and getting my attention. And then it hit me! Nothing short of washing the cup could remove the juice in the bottom which symbolizes the Blood of Christ. The Blood will always be there for me and for you. I realized the cup is a reminder of how much He loves me and you. I now keep the cups. They are everywhere; in my car, my office, my bookcase, my den and everywhere. Keep the cup! He loves you! He loves you so much that He was willing to lay down His life so that you can have an abundant life. He took your pain, grief, sickness and disease in exchange for His life or righteousness and abundance. And the cup is a symbol or reminder of all of that. Wow!
Atonement was made for you by the Blood. Notice it is past tense. It is finished. The cup is the proof and the reminder. Thank You Lord for shining the light into that cup to remind us how much You love us. Many of us profess to love you but our love for you pales in comparison to Your love for us. I can’t fathom this kind of love. So thank You for the reminders. I will keep the cup. Thank You for keeping me! In Your name I pray.