Kind Grace

Titus 3:3-7

"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

What we celebrate at this table is the grace of God. Grace isn’t just being nice to others, smoothing the way, being tactful. Grace is getting favor when you deserve condemnation. This table beautifully shows us both. Scripture says that this cup is a participation in Christ’s blood. We see here the price for our salvation. Jesus had to drink the cup of judgment and wrath that the Father gave Him, and He drank it all. In His death and resurrection 3 days later that cup was converted into a cup of blessing and life for us. We deserved a cup of wrath, but are given a cup of life. Grace. The kindness and love of God our Savior has appeared to us, saving and washing us, not by anything we did but by His mercy. It was the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in. Else we would still refuse to taste, and perish in our sin.

7/29/12