What Kind of Medicine is That, Mama?

Back when we were going to church in-person, a little girl in the pew behind us on Sunday was (how do I say this nicely?) not a regular church-goer. 

She was fidgety.  She was bouncy.  She was bored.  She played video games with the volumn at a pretty high level.  She wanted to talk.  She wanted to drink from the water fountain.  She wanted to sing (while the preacher was preaching - come to think of it . . . ok, just kidding).

We were into a key part of the worship service when she asked a most important question. 

"What kind of medicine is that, Mama?"

It is as sweet and innocent a question during a time of devotion to God that I have heard.  It came not from her high energy level but from the genuine curiosity of a child.  A child experiencing something new.  Understanding that it is something special.  But not understanding. 

At our church, we have the Lord's Supper (communion) as a part of every Sunday worship service.  We believe that first, Jesus, and then the church that began after His resurrection, provided us with the best understanding that we can have for the elements of a worship service.

As a result, we actively look to the New Testament about worship. Among the most important items that we can identify is that of taking the Lord's Supper.  It is at the heart of our time together.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat:  this is my body.'

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. . ..'  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."  - Matthew 26:27-30 (NIV)

In essence, what we see in the Lord's Supper is this: 

• This is a direct command (do this) that Jesus conducted himself about worshipping together
• It is not a "communal meal" an idea that the Apostle Paul disposes of in I Corinthians. It is a demonstration of our devotion to Jesus and obedience to him.
• It is a uniting of Christians around the world in this one act.  Worshipping with Christians in many cultures, it is very comforting to realize that, regardless of worship style differences, this one act ties us together with one another, with the "original" church of the 1st century and directly with Jesus.
• By "breaking" the bread as Jesus did and eating of it, it helps to symbolize our coming from one body - going into to all the parts of the body (or the members of each congregation).
• The cup, now usually filled with grape juice in the United States, is the symbol, as Jesus himself said, of his blood that would be shed on the cross. 
• Following this tradition - I am always touched by the juice which is, at the same time sweet and somewhat bitter.  Christ's death was horrific and bitter and we, as humans, are so sin-filled that only a sacrifice like his could allow us to enjoy a "new relationship with God."  The sweetness gives me renewed joy that His sacrifice gives me the hope of His promise of an eternal life in Heaven.

And so, as the tray, filled with little cups of grape juice passed down her row, she asked a genuine question with eternal meaning.  "What kind of medicine is that, Mama?"

How would you have answered the little girl in the pew behind me on Sunday?  She saw little cups, filled with a syrup-like drink.  Everyone was taking one of the little plastic cups and sipping from it - replacing it, empty, in the gold container. 

Is this a medicine that is sweet?  Do we, as Christians, live a life that demonstrates to people around us that being a Christian changes the way we do things in a positive way?  Are we actually living sacrifices to God?  Do we give those around us a sense of hope, honesty, love, compassion?

Or do we find the bitter?  Are we sullen in our Christianity?  Irritated that a young girl behind us in church is not acting like we want her to?  Do we hammer people over the head (incorrectly) assuming they will see the "error" of their ways and change - become what we want them to be so they fit our definition of Christian? 

My response to the family behind me Sunday was to say "hello."  Introduce myself.  Move on.  And I am ashamed.  I missed one of those "open doors" that God provides us everyday - if only we will walk through them.

As I thought about the little girl's question, frankly, I have been a little haunted.  I wish now I had mentioned her question to the family and asked if I could have a word with her about it. 

My answer should have been:

A long, long time ago, a baby named Jesus was born.  He was the son of God and He grew up to be a great man.  We call Him our Savior because He wants all of us to be able to live a good life and stay away from bad things.  A life like He did.  He wants us to love one another as much as He loved us.  When we drank the medicine, that you asked about, it was a way for us to remember that He wants us to be in Heaven with Him.  When you are baptized and become a Christian, just like Jesus did in the Bible, you will drink that same medicine - and it reminds us that we will never be really sick again.  Because Jesus loves us so much, He has already gone to Heaven - to make places for each one of us.  And we will be there with him.  One day.  That is medicine that helps make us better - forever.

That's my too wordy "should have answer."  What's yours?