The sharing of bread and the fruit of the vine has been a part of church life for almost 2,000 years.  It is such a simple ritual.  There's no secret handshake or verbal formula that is necessary, just believers, the bread and the "wine."   "Do this in remembrance of Me," Jesus said.  I haven't missed too many communion services over the years.  My parents were "all day Sunday believers" and the Lord's Supper was almost always (as I recall) during the evening service.  I remember asking my dad when I could take the bread and the juice.  He asked me why I wanted to take them and I replied, "Because sometimes I get hungry and thirsty during church."  He told me I should wait for a while.  I have grown in my understanding over the past number of years.  I have to confess however that there is still some mystery and awe associated with the Table even though I have conducted close to 200 Communion services and participated in at least twice that many as a congregant.  Baptists tend to emphasize the symbolic nature of the elements rather than the presence of Christ.  I understand that but Jesus did say, "I am with you always."  Theologically we often react to others as if a given concept must be "this or that".  Whatever happened to "both and?"  If Jesus wants to fellowship with us around His Table as we remember what He did for us, it seems we should welcome Him!  Meditating on the presence of Christ while remembering His incarnation, crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension through the simple elements of "cracker and pasteurized grape juice" makes the service more than a memorial to me...it makes it Communion!    

This week we'll be studying Titus 3 as we prepare our hearts for the Table.  If you read ahead, pay special attention to the transition between verse 3 and 4.  It might just bless your socks right off.