Communion Starts with Forgiveness
During my (Joe’s) early childhood, my parents pastored a church. In our home, learning Bible verses was synonymous with learning how to talk. My family seemed almost bilingual—speaking Southern English at home and King James English at church. The first verse I memorized was John 3:16 (from the King James Version, of course): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Verse 17 is equally impactful: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” As we reflect on these two verses, we begin to understand the magnitude of this selfless act. God the Father willingly sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to shed His blood and forgive our sins.
Jesus willingly came to earth, knowing He would suffer and die, so we could be forgiven. When we believe in Him and receive His forgiveness, we are restored to the Father. The forgiveness we receive from God enables us to forgive others.
Forgiveness makes Communion possible.
Luke 23 describes how God provided a savior—it is the story of Jesus’s crucifixion. Two criminals and Jesus were sentenced to die at the same time. Three men were crucified that day—two died for crimes they committed, and one suffered the greatest injustice any person has ever faced…
