Communion and The Cross.

It was from a tree that humanity tasted death in the Garden. And it was on a tree that God tasted death to bring humanity back to life.

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are crucial days of the year. They represent so much about the Christian faith and what makes the Son of Man so remarkable. Maybe it’s the relentless grace and love we see displayed by a man hanging from a tree. Or maybe it’s the Last Supper that happened right before Jesus was crucified. Either way, it is Communion and the Cross that sets me free.

“In the middle of the meal Jesus took a loaf and after blessing it he broke it into pieces and gave it to the disciples. “Take and eat this,” he said, “it is my body.” Then he took a cup and after thanking God, he gave it to them with the words, “Drink this, all of you, for it is my blood, the blood of the new agreement shed to set many free from their sins. I tell you I will drink no more wine until I drink it fresh with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Born of a virgin. Lived sinless. Died a criminal. Hung on a cross. Defeated the grave. Rose again. The great gift of Easter is hope: Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake. A man who was completely innocent offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

And now, can it be? That this scarred stranger, who hangs before me, and goes to his death so willingly, knows my behavior, covers my failure, could be my savior?