Let me toss out the idea that, as our markets discover and respond to what consumers most want, our technology has become extremely adept at creating products that correspond to our fantasy ideal of an erotic relationship, in which the beloved object asks for nothing and gives everything, instantly, and makes us feel all powerful, and doesn’t throw terrible scenes when it’s replaced by an even sexier object and is consigned to a drawer. To speak more generally, the ultimate goal of technology, the telos of techne, is to replace a natural world that’s indifferent to our wishes—a world of hurricanes and hardships and breakable hearts, a world of resistance—with a world so responsive to our wishes as to be, effectively, a mere extension of the self.
Jonathan Franzen, NY Times OpEd, “Liking is for Cowards”
It’s coming!

It’s coming!

“The body of Christ, broken for you”

Since the inception of Park Church, my favorite “duty” to perform on a Sunday has been administering communion.  The first time I held that bread and offered it, I was struck by the incredible weight of the words coming out of my mouth, over and over, a mantra of overwhelming grace:

“The body of Christ, broken for you…the body of Christ, broken for you…the body of Christ, broken for you”

Tonight, it hit me again.  Dozens of times, I spoke it to my brothers and sisters.  Dozens of times, I spoke it to myself.  Like sweet honey gently coating, it sobered my heart.

Do you hear it?  Do you taste it?  The BODY of CHRIST - Jesus was a man, with hands and feet, a rib cage and blood vessels.  He was flesh, real skin like you and me.  And yet He was so much more than you and me.  Jesus was the Christ.  The Messiah was God’s promised rescue.  He was the answer, the hope of all humanity.  Our Redeemer.

The body of Christ, BROKEN for YOU!  Those hands and feet - pierced by spikes.  That rib cage - punctured with a spear.  Those blood vessels - torn to release the very life of our Savior.  And it was for you.  It was for me.  Such agony welcomed by Jesus all for the sake of forgiveness.  He was wounded, crushed, the receiver of brutal stripes for our transgressions, our iniquities.  By His blood we are healed.  We have peace with God.

A simple loaf of bread, elevated to such a holy reminder.  With each tear, we remind one another of the lashes, the thorns, the nails, the spear.  With each bite, we consume the hope Jesus bought for us.  With each week, we determine never to forget. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2

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