Scripture: Titus 2:11
Family heirlooms and meaningful gifts stay in a cabinet in our home.
Each item brings feelings of contentment: connection to family or fond memories of people and events surrounding the gifts.
One thing stands out atop the cabinet: the small, simple, wooden communion cup from the Holy Land given to me by my former pastor.
This cup was made from wood near the River Jordan, where Jesus was baptized and then began His ministry.
What that little wooden cup symbolizes, however, brings more than contentment.
It represents the great mystery of faith, often recited before receiving Communion in our church: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
It represents the Cup of Salvation: the cup of thanksgiving, forgiveness, all of God’s blessings.
With its imperfections in the wood, that cup exemplifies how our transgressions also mar us as human beings.
What goes into our cup of Salvation, the blood of Christ given for all is pure.
In thankfully taking the cup, we receive forgiveness and all the blessings of God: most significantly, the greatest gift of life eternal.
The little wooden cup was meaningful because of its place of origin and who gave it to me.
But partaking in the cup symbolizes the unmatchable gift of forgiveness and blessing poured out for me through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Prayer: Merciful Father, we humbly thank you for Jesus, who through his
suffering, death, and resurrection, gave us the greatest gift: Salvation. Amen.
Julie Erickson, Olathe, KS
A daily Lenten devotional reprinted with permission from The Society of St. Andrew to inspire help sharing nourishing food with neighbors in need.
Every $1 donated provides more than 40 servings to those in greatest need. A donation of $47 for the 47 days in Lent provides more than 1,880 servings.
What a way to celebrate the resurrection of hope and lift the cup of salvation for our hungry neighbors!
First Reflections 