New Year’s

The Lord’s Supper pictures Jesus reversing the downward spiral of deteriorating relationships. On the cross he lived out in the extreme his own commandment to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39).

People usually respond in kind—good for good, bad for bad. The pattern leads to deepening discord. Stopping evil comes from not responding at all, by letting it die from lack of attention. Reversing the pattern comes from responding to evil with good.

Through Christ, God has demonstrated what it often takes to restore peace between people. It is the pattern of self-giving for peace through forgiveness. That’s what we eat to and drink to in this ceremony today.