Communion-it is a time to look back, remembering the Lord’s death on the cross. His death was more than just an atoning death- it was a substitutional death. Christ died in our place so that we might live.(2 Cor 5:21, 1 Peter 2:23-24, Isaiah 53:4-5). The writer to Hebrews put it this way: “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness(Hebrews 9:22). For God to forgive our sins, His judgement had to be satisfied and that required the shedding of blood.

At what moment during the crucifixion ordeal did God pour out his judgement on his precious son? Many theologians believe it was toward the end of the three-hour period of darkness when Jesus cried out:”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). By taking upon himself the sins of the world, Jesus removed Himself from God’s holy presence, and God, in turn, removed himself from his Son. It was a temporary but excruciating separation, for at that moment, the Son of God became Father-forsaken.

God unleashed his wrath on his Son so that we might be spared that awful fate This is the central message of the cross and the reason for our hope:God forsook his Son so that He might never forsake us. God assures us, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Isn’t that a wonderful promise ?

Taken from www.insight.org and www.harvest.org

Meditation and reflection

"Come to the Table" by Michael Card
"Remember Me" by Mark Schultz
"What the Lord has Done in Me"

 This is the worship lineup for 11-9-2008

Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever
Arise
You’ll Come  
We cry out  
Healer  
Offering:  Down At Your Feet