SAFELY REVEALED

Jesus said, “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest (or disclose, reveal) myself to him.” The Lord comes to us through his love. If he came to us as lightning, we would be afraid. If he came to us as strong wind, we would run for cover and seek shelter. If he came as thunder, we would run and hide. If he came as rushing water, we would surely drown. Not unlike Elijah at Beersheba while fleeing from Jezebel, the Lord came in ”the still small voice” and was safely revealed.

He chose to come to us as bread and wine. These represent humility, hunger, thirst, peace, fellowship, giving, close relationship and presence. By knowing him as bread and wine we can fully risk ourselves to him. In this risk of faith, trial and trust we grasp for understanding, we break bread and eat it and take our wine and drink it and know in the grandeur of this simplicity that someone loves us. This is quiet, safe, uncovered and uncomplicated and we are not inclined to run, hide and be fearful, but we are drawn and brought close. The revelation begins in our eating and drinking and continues in our submission and celebration. Worship starts to set in on the lovers who have met to know each other…to be safely revealed to one another.

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word, which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.” Jesus