Most Sacrificial Lamb, none of us can really know the anguish and suffering surrounding Your passion and death. You refer several times to “drinking the cup” that only You could drink … referring to the suffering and death that You needed to undergo to save me (and all of mankind) from eternal punishment and banishment from Heaven due to sin. You had to accept Your calling just as I must accept mine. We both had to make a decision to “go all in” by submitting to Your Father’s will. In the same way that You and Your Father became forever bound in oneness through Your obedience of His will, so am I forever bound to You in my obedience of Your will. When I participate in Communion, I am accepting Your gift of eternal life in exchange for the promise of my all. In submitting to You, I am placing myself entirely into Your hands.
Accepting You into my life is the greatest decision I have ever made. Finding contentment in whatever circumstances I find myself only goes to confirm the deep trust and commitment that we have toward each other. Help me always remain close to You rather than following You at a distance. For in Your passion, You felt vulnerable and alone. Because You have called me one of Your sheep, a friend and a disciple, I never want to leave Your side so that You will not have to feel that loneliness again. When I suffer a major setback, heartache or loss, I will not drift away from You. Instead, I will come to You and bear my heart so that together we can find a solution to the problem. My direct connection to You … not simply as a nominal believer, an admirer or casual friend … can never be more complete than when I am an “active” disciple putting Your words into action.
In a deepening relationship with You, I must be truthful and open. I cannot hide anything from You or hold anything back. I must trust You enough to get things off my chest without fear of losing Your love. I must also be humble enough to accept Your sovereignty in all things. Speaking with You regularly is a good way to keep communication lines open and draw closer to You. In my quiet times, I can speak openly with You, listen to Your instructions and focus on putting Your words into action. I need time alone with You in order to be renewed and transformed into the person You want me to become. As a demonstration of my deep commitment to You, I must accept and embrace Your gift of the Holy Spirit who You’ve given to me so that He can show me the way to emulate Your life. To grow into the stature of the person You want me to be, I know I must “give You my all.” And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Ephesians 4:13 … so that the body of Christ may be built up
until we reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become
mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.