Communion Meditation

June 7, 1987

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Today is June 7, 1987. The significance of that? Well....a number of things. To begin with, perhaps on the lowest level of significance, today is the first Sunday of the first week of the new Annual Conference year. 

The whole world may not be celebrating it with unrestrained abandon, but at least across Florida, in the United Methodist circles, it is a date to be reckoned with. 

We’ve just been to Annual Conference, and seen old friends, and heard reports, and been inspired.....We’ve been re-assigned and now it’s time to begin afresh with a clean slate. That in itself has some significance. 

But there’s more about this date worth pondering....This week also happens to be a week of rather considerable significance historically. For 2 very different, but very important events are commemorated during these days..... 

ONE changed a war...The OTHER actually altered human destiny. 

It doesn’t seem possible that yesterday marked the 43rd anniversary of D-Day, the morning of the Normandy invasion in the 2nd World War. 

It was June 6, 1944. Some of you remember it vividly. The forces of the Allies, through a concerted land, sea, and air assault established a beachhead on the coast of France, and in a very real sense from that point on the ultimate outcome of the war was never really in doubt. 

Oh, periods of setback would follow, of course. Frustration and uncertainty would often still abound. Lives, the lives of many brave fighting men would still be lost. 

But D-Day marked the beginning of the end. 

From that point on, it was clear how the war eventually would come out. When the Allies landed on the continent of Fortress Europe, it became increasingly evident that they would prevail. 

The other event we celebrate this week is the great Christian observance called Pentecost. Today is the First day of Pentecost season....very different, and yet, maybe not entirely. 

Would it be possible, I wonder, to suggest a parallel between D-Day and Pentecost? 

Pentecost was the invasion of a handful of believers of God’s invincible spirit... and as the result of that empowering, the invasion of the whole world was launched, which, in time will bring that world under the Lordship of the risen, triumphant Christ. 

An army was commissioned that day in the Upper room....Read about it in the 3rd Chapter of Acts...an army was commissioned, and its orders were---to witness, to evangelize, to serve, until not a pocket of resistance to the General remained on the face of the earth. Those continue to 

be its orders. 

Someday, I believe...I don’t know whether it will be in this world or the next.... But someday we’ll look back on the broad sweep of human history and see that Pentecost  was, indeed, the beginning of the end. 

God knows evil continues to rage....In many places it ever seems to have the upper hand. 

BUT LET THERE BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE FINAL OUTCOME....GOD IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ULTIMATELY WILL PREVAIL. 

It’s a big thing we’re involved in, this business we call the Christian movement. 

Of course we’re not worthy of being included in its sweep and grandeur... that’s beside the point. 

The first members of the movement weren’t worthy, either, any more than we are. 

They didn’t qualify for participation. They were no better than anybody else.... GOD CHOSE THEM....That was the difference. 

HE LAID HIS HAND ON THEM, and they were off and running. 

That’s what Pentecost is really all about. 

Really, the miracle of the whole thing to me is that God both can and does use marginally adequate soldiers in His army and wins battles with them. Isn’t that a relief? 

Nothing special about the troops, What’s special is the Generalship, and the equipment. 

THERE’S NO WAY YOU CAN EXHAUST THE SUPPLIES OF THE HEAVENLY QUARTERMASTER CORPS. 

We ourselves may not see the end of the war. We may even be killed in the battle.... BUT THE VICTORY IS ASSURED. 

The outcome is a certainty. For the General is in charge... and He will win. 

I think it’s appropriate then, for us to begin this new Church year with a meal together, here at the ecclesiastical mess hall. These elements which we take in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are a part of our equipping for the battles ahead. 

There’s still a lot to do, BUT THE LORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US. 

As we receive the elements, we receive Him, identifying our interest with His will, and dedicating our future, whatever it may be, to His most gracious control. 

Onward, Christian Soldiers, marching as to war. 

Your equipment awaits you at His altar....come, receive it, and go forth.