Great Plains Daily Devotional for 9/30/2021

Matthew 19:13-15

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

One of my favorite parts of the Methodist tradition is open communion. As a child I remember going with my parents to church and receiving bread and dipping it into the cup. It was always so great to have a snack during church. As I’ve gotten older, I still love snack time in church, but when I serve communion, it is a great reminder of showing God’s love and grace to everyone.
 
Last week, we had communion at our church, and I got to serve my parents communion, which was great to look at them and say, “The body of Christ broken for you,” and to have them receive the bread with open arms. After all were served, we song one of my favorite hymns “For Everyone Born,” which has the line “For everyone born a place at the table,” which is central to our Methodist understanding of communion, it is a means of grace. As we sang the line, “For young and for old a place at the table,” I saw a young girl in the front pew who was pointing at the bread left on the communion table. I motioned for her to come forward and she did. I simply asked, “Do you want something?” and she pointed to communion table. She wanted more bread. So, I went over and grabbed her a piece of the bread which was broken. She then then looked at me and I knew she also wanted some of the grape juice. I handed her another cup of juice. She walked back with delight to receive more snack.
 
For me, and many others who watched, it was the reminder that the table is open for all people. The communion table does not exclude it welcomes all. God’s grace is so abundant and great no one will ever be turned away. If someone wants more, there is always enough. The table is set, and as Jesus welcomed the smallest of children, so too they are welcomed at the table.

Prayer for Reflection

Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37