Additional Communion Thoughts

In preparation for communion, I often like to read a chapter out of a book on the cross, or an article that I have previously harvested from a magazine or journal. This week a friend gave me an article that I will undoubtedly read multiple times again. Russell Moore ("The Red Cross of Jesus" — unavailable online) makes a compelling argument that while our culture has become obsessed with blood (not just with violence in general or with crime show television, but in particular through a growing interest in vampires in mass-market romance novels), the church has become increasingly sanitized from blood:

American Christianity is far less bloody than it used to be. Songs like "Power in the Blood" or "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood," or "Are You Washed in the Blood?" are still sung in some places, but fewer and fewer, and there aren't many newer songs or praise choruses so focused on blood. The Cross, yes; redemption, yes; but blood, rarely.…

We're eager to speak of life, but hesitant to speak of blood. Some of this is the result of the lingering sting of liberal Christian hostility toward a 'slaughterhouse religion.' Some of it is the result of an age that fears blood, but doesn't know why. Some of it is the result of our ignorance, as we think that "blood" is just another metaphor, one we can easily replace.

And yet, bloodless Christianity leaves a void.…

There is power — wonder working power — in the blood. Our culture already sees that. They're simply looking in the wrong veins.

I also came across this week a very helpful article by Paul Tripp on confession, repentance and forgiveness ("Mercy Me: Psalm 51 and Everyday Life") that is not only helpful in preparation for communion, but is also valuable for rebuilding our earthly, horizontal relationships.