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| Blood on my hands |
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The first time I poured at the table, I ran into some unexpected difficulties.
For Communion at our church, the bread and wine (crackers/juice) are set out on a table, front center in the sanctuary, and people come forward to receive, forming two parallel lines. Volunteers also come up to dispense the juice from glass flasks to recipients.
Until one Sunday several months ago, I had never poured at the Communion table at our church. I enjoy taking Communion with my family, and have always viewed the pouring/dispensing of Jesus’ “blood” as a very emotional experience. I would prefer to remain safe and simply receive.
It wasn’t like I wanted to go forward that first time, but apparently no one else was going to, and another pourer was definitely needed. So I went. After pouring a few cups, I noticed the juice didn’t pour so cleanly from the flask. It dribbled onto the table, and even went down the flask onto my hand. I grew increasingly nervous as I noticed the mess I was making on the table in front of me. It felt as though I was wasting, even defiling, our Lord’s precious blood. My hand started shaking increasingly as I offered the filled cups to the people coming forward. As expected, this was more than I could handle, and I resolved never to pour again.
Then came this past Sunday. This time, before the service even began, I was asked to join the pourers at the table. No, not again, I thought! I gently protested. But the best excuse I could come up with was that I felt unworthy. Of course that brought the answer that none of us are. Indeed, no one is worthy to handle the blood and body of our Lord! His blood is of unimaginably far greater worth than anything this world has ever had to offer!!!!
So I waited expectantly through the entire first half of the service, and when the time came, I went up and poured. But this time, though the pouring was still somewhat messy, the experience was different. A slight change in technique reduced the mess. Plus I realized as I poured that Christ’s own sacrifice, his crucifixion, was not clean business. It was downright messy, his blood spilled all over the dirt!! This time I actually enjoyed being one through whom Jesus’ blood was offered to his people. I relished the privilege!!
Afterwards we carried the leftover crackers and the juice flasks to the church kitchen. As I rinsed my hand, the elder who had led us through Communion presented his own juice-covered hand. He informed me, his voice cracking with emotion, that the rinsing was his favorite part, because it reminded him that he, like all of us, has Jesus’ blood on his hands. I realized with complete joy that he felt exactly the same as me!
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| To add a comment to "Blood on my hands" |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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This is a really blessing yet sobering thought. Thanx for posting. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Thx Ronny. I guess the way I see it, anything that reminds of the weight of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf is a good thing. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Amen, by the title I would have thought that the blood on the hands pertained to verses in the book of Ezekiel that speak about the consequences of not warning a sinner of his sin. This literal analogy has some excellent Spiritual applications that could be drwan from it and I always enjoy your candid honesty. God bless you Mike! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| I wish I had the words to go with the emotions this has sparked... what a good perspective mike... |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| The symbolism in the pouring of the wine and the awesome reminder that he died for US.... We indeed each have His Blood on our hands and hopefully the realization of what His death meant in our hearts..... |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| My Lord, forgive me for shedding your blood, and THANK YOU for shedding it for me! Glory Hallelujah! Mike, I would have trembled too seing that juice on my hand. Until you vividly described it here, I never visualized how my flesh truly is stained...stained by my Saviors blood! Thank you for sharing your testimony. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| This blog really hit me Mike. Awesome! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Your comments are inspiring, and so very appreciated! After that first episode pouring, I wanted to keep the experience completely to myself. But the Lord compelled me to write something after the magnificence of my second experience. Jewlz, your thoughts are so pleasant, so reassuring, like the elder who shared w/me in the kitchen afterwards! Thanks Marcella, Deb, Jade.....to be able to accurately convey and share my own emotions really is a blessing. The spiritual applications are indeed heavy here, Jay. Thanks ~ ...And Doyle, my bro, thanks for that precious word... Mary (mstovall) - an awesome reminder indeed. Funny, but those reminders never seem to come often enough for me... |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| I know the feeling of this one all to well. It sure is a moving blog and am glad that you had a more positive exprience with this one. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Thanks Megan!! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Your writing is so good. Thanks! Two weeks ago we had communion for the first time at our new church. I felt nervous because I never served communion, but it went well. It's not about me. I feel so inadequate in so many areas, but God still tugs at me. MAN! :) |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| inadequate... yep, that's me!! Thanks DD! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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awesome Mike! I will definatly look at this differently. We pour the juice in the kitchen before hand, and we have the Elders pass it out to us seated, and then the Pastor has an Elder say a Prayer then He says if you would like to partake ....etc....I have my head bowed and pray and feel his presance!
Anyways what an experience, and if I am ever asked to help pour I WILL feel what you now have experienced! God Bless
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Your blogs are always so touching and always bring me to the place of deep meditation. Thank you. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Wow! It is always through the very simple things of life that God teaches us so much! Thank you for sharing this. It is inspiring! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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This reminded me of a song by Living Waters that I play often.They don't play in churches any longer ,but I have been listening to them for over 25 years. I recently asked for new copies of my worn out cassettes and prices. The lead singer sent me three cassettes as they never got to CDs. She sent them to me as a gift. I have bought them twice before and passed them out and then wore my own out. :) The other thing that spoke to me of this is the respect we must have for communion. I get slobbery crybaby emotional each time. I felt dumb for this and then realized NO, I don't ever want to be anything but in that mode of thanks and respect for what my Lord has done for me. I want to feel Him and His presense when I partake. He is my Knight on a white horse so to speak. Every little girl wanted that growing up. I just thought it would be a simple man. I know now the Truth of who He really was. My King's apparel The crown that my King wore was made of thorns His jewels were bright rubies of blood His royal apparel designed by a scourge Making bright crimson stripes on His holy frame. And oh He wore it so well. My King's apparel, He wore it so well. His jewelry was nails in His hands and His feet. No throne, He hung on a simple tree His royal carpet, His blood on the sand. Crucify Jesus, we sinners demand. And oh He wore it so well. My King's apparel, He wore it so well. His life for the sinner He willing gave. They laid my Savior in a cold dark grave But Jesus the Righteous was never death's slave The Almighty King conquered death and the grave. And oh He wore it so well. My King's apparel, He wore it so well. Oh, He wore it so well, My King's apparel, He wore it so well. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Very Awesome!
Sometimes God moves in such a strong way, through simple things. I love this post so very much Mike ! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Praise God,thank you for sharing you are always a blessing :) |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| That must have been an awesome feeling! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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I'm a Deaconess in my Church and I serve communion and I never thought of it this way. While we have pre-package "Blood & Body" with no worry about spilling, tomorrow night as I pass the tray I will definitely think about this Mike. His blood is on my hands. Awesome thought. Thanks for this Word.
"Nothing But The Blood of Jesus" |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Thank you Mike for sharing your incredible experience. Serving communion for me was a truly Holy experience & as you, I did not take it lightly. God bless you, my friend. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Wow... what an inspiring work of art. This was an amazing insight. Very VERY wonderful blog -- my favorite yet.
Thanks for sharing!!! :) |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Mike, as I was reading this I couldn't help but picture you standing up at the communion table, I have seen you up there, you did a great job. toni |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| We sang What can Wash Away my sin Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, as the ONLY song tonights service. I thought of this. I actually opened it to that page before he called out 173. |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Had no further opportunity to answer comments today. Will do so tomorrow! Great comments, thanks!!! |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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Mike and Laura,
Handling the Sacraments is like standing on Holy Ground. I love the way you applied the experience to that of all of us having the blood of Christ on our hands. Because of our sins, we all bear responsibility for his death. I have employed many different modes in administering the Sacraments. For me one of the most holy moments are the Consecration of the Elements: Make these oh Lord to be for us the body and blood of Christ. Your experience gave me a different slant on the whole experience. Great Sermonic material!
Pastor Chuck |
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| March 04, 2009 |
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| Profound! Thank you for sharing such a special experience with us. |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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(you are welcome Janell...thanks for commenting!) Pastor Chuck....feel free to use!! And thanks, wonderful comment! :-) Powerful song, Juanita! One of our former churches always used to sing "Power in the Blood". This past Sunday at our assisted living service we sang, "There is a fountain filled with blood..." The thought kind of grossed my eldest daughter out...my son liked it though! Toni, THANKS!! That is very good to hear....I really did enjoy the experience, and it's good to know that is how it looked too. BTW, it was rather an honor serving adjacent to Paul! |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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Sherlock...you are too, too kind! Panda, it is always good to see that we are of like mind! (I find it comforting and reassuring, sister.) Terry....pre-packaged "Blood & Body"... ew, that sounds weird. lol, I don't mean that as a put down....I'm sure your church's time of communion is just beautiful. The church, the people, remembering and appreciating Christ's actual body and blood, are what make the time of Communion beautiful. |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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Awesome only begins to describe it, Ken. (thanks!) Cathy, glad to. Appreciate you, sister! Dennis, it was a great experience (this past Sunday, that is). I was tentative about sharing about the previous experience, but it was deeply tied to this Sunday's, so I had to. "slobbery crybaby emotional"...lol, yeah, even if my face doesn't look that way (and sometimes it does), my heart certainly does, every time. I love you for that, Juanita! He does, Gaye! (you are welcome!) Cheryl....you are so very kind, and good at expressing yourself. I treasure your words. (few though they may be!) |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| very cool insight! |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| Good food for thought Mike. I have never really had a personal revelation of the communion. I have tried to get it though my thick heart but it only seems to stay in my head. I even participated in a re-creation of the last supper at a place called " The Biblical Resource Center" in Israel. We ate what they would have ate sitting on floor pillows with no utensils. It was very real yet what you experienced sowhow still alludes me. One day I hope that blockage to my heart will be removed. Continue walking in His shawdow my friend. |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| Donna, it truly is an honor to serve, to pour.... I think before I felt the honor was too great for me. Maybe I still do, but have at least embraced it and enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment, I adore your excitement. :) |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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Thanks GrammyB! Norman, what you describe is very interesting. I know that you know what Communion is, and I am sure you are appreciative of what the Lord did for you at Calvary. I guess what you are describing is a struggle to feel it deep down? |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| How wonderful to have a stain to remind us...Jolie loves it when her grandpa lets her help get the communion cups ready at their church. |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| That's a lovely picture, Leigh. I need to be continually reminded that God sees me as a child.....HIS child! |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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You dear man... I am rocking back and forth, trying not cry. This is the most poignant moment I've spent with you. God bless you.
Joey |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| Mike, I'm not sure how to respond to this. I'm reading and wanted to let you know. |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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Touched my heart and soul.
Bless You for the post. |
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| March 06, 2009 |
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Joey.....now that is a moving response...
Jonathan, thanks for letting me know. I'd be very interested in reading your thoughts, even if by pvt msg.
Thanks PapaJoe...so glad to hear, thanks for letting me know! |
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| March 06, 2009 |
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WOW I got so nervous just uncovering the communion table I had not thought of pouring yet revealing his broken body and blood was over whelming to me |
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| March 06, 2009 |
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| I believe I know how you feel, awoman... That is a worshipful attitude to me. |
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| March 06, 2009 |
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Thank you this is one of the greatest stories I ever read concerning communion.
As I rinsed my hand, the elder who had led us through Communion presented his own juice-covered hand. He informed me, his voice cracking with emotion, that the rinsing was his favorite part, because it reminded him that he, like all of us, has Jesus’ blood on his hands. I realized with complete joy that he felt exactly the same as me!
The above paragraph gives me an even another thought the Blood of Jesus is on our hands as long as we serve the wicked master however, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior His Blood washes us clean. He has washed the BLOOD away for us by sacrificing his life.
I believe in the book of John that Christ went on to explain to the disciples when he established communion, "I will not partake again until my kingdom has come. |
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| March 10, 2009 |
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Mike, I'm reminded of my first communion after my salvation. There was a big gap between my being saved and my first communion as a saved soul. My hands were shaking. The Pastor smiled and nodded, "It's alright".
I had taken communion so many times as a youth and a few times as an adult, but this time
everything was different. One day I'll assist with the Eucharist and I'll tremble again. I'll also remember your words and I'll remember Christ's agony. |
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| March 10, 2009 |
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| Neil...communion is a deep and very moving event when we faithfully remember our Savior's sacrifice. Good comment bro, thanks! |
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| March 16, 2009 |
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| That's an awesome post Mike. I have never poured at communion either but I find the receiving of it a deeply personal and emotional experience. I love the way the Lord spoke to you through your "pouring experience". |
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| March 18, 2009 |
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Simply put Mike...He came to get messy.... Great post. |
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| March 18, 2009 |
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Joyful Servant... for a long time now I too have found the taking of communion deeply personal. I am sure this had a lot to do with my near "terror" while pouring at the table. Thanks Valarie, so good to hear from ya. And yes, he did. How amazingly simple. |
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