The crumbs dropped silently to the floor as each individual reached the front of the room and extended their hand to pull a chunk of the sweet, gluten free loaf off. Taking their piece, each dunked it in the cup of grape juice as the bride and groom reminded them of Jesus sacrifice of his own flesh and blood. Tears streamed down my face as my smile grew and grew. “This is what the Kingdom of God looks like,” I thought to myself.
Before this moment of remembrance during my brother’s wedding, the pastor took a moment to flesh out the reasons we take communion. “This bread and juice are for you to remember the great, selfless sacrifice of our Savior. It is gluten free for you and it is alcohol free for you so that you can take and eat. It is made abundantly for you so that you may take more than you think you deserve.” The stream of tears began here.
I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the sacrifice of Jesus. That he would give me more grace than I could ever earn or deserve… I melted in it. So abundantly and freely does he extend it to everyone who will take part in it. I became a soppy puddle as I was humbled and loved by my Sweet Jesus. And the sweet crumbs from the sweet bread that symbolized Jesus’ sweet grace fell to the floor.
The very fact that there was so much grace that allowed me, a sinner and a Celiac, to take part in such a special meal with the Body of Christ made me full of joy. I wanted to dance and sing and make it known that the grace of Jesus is for everyone. Not just the healthy, but also the sick and disabled. Not just the ones who seem to have it all together, but also for those who can’t seem to get anything right. Not just for those who attend church every Sunday and teach a class on Wednesday night, but also for those who have never set foot in church. Jesus grace smothers those who simply choose to accept it.
The crumbs of grace continued scattering around the feet of the bride and groom and those who chose to take part in this communion. The crumbs got stuck on the bottom of everyone’s shoes, they fell and stuck to their clothing, and they fell onto the beards of all the bearded men (of course, I noticed that). No one walked away crumb-less or without grace. There was plenty to go around and more than enough for each person.
This is how the Kingdom works. You get more grace than you think you deserve. We get it safely and without harm. It is made so that each human being can partake in the celebration of Jesus’ great sacrifice. It is made so sweetly that when we “taste and see that the Lord is good,” we actually get to experience his goodness and know it first hand.
I love Jesus’ grace. But more than that, I love him because of his willing heart to give so freely and abundantly to anyone who chooses hold onto it.
“But he gives more grace.” – James 4:6
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.” – Ephesians 1:7-8
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” – John 1:16
