Today I led my church in communion. I have been assisting my pastor with serving communion for some time. But today, he asked me to take the lead. I don’t think this is unusual, as my pastor is helping me as I continue to prepare for ministry. But today, I suddenly identified a little bit with Martin Luther.

When Martin Luther preached his first mass he hesitated during the consecration of the elements. He believed in the very real presence of Christ in the bread and wine. He suddenly felt like he was a weak and unworthy sinner, and therefore he was unworthy to be holding the Lord in his hands.

After we served the elements, I stood before the congregation, holding the bread in one hand, and the wine (well, the juice in our tradition) in the other. I know almost by heart how it is supposed to go. I have taken communion many times through out my life. I have rehearsed what I’m supposed to say, from the admonition to not partake unworthily to the words of Christ, “… do this in remembrance of me.” But today, my mind went blank, and I froze. As I stood before the congregation, holding the elements, all I could think was, “My God. I am not worthy to do this.” Like Martin Luther, I managed to finish celebrating the Lord’s Supper, my words jumbled, my heart pounding. But, I got through it, by God’s grace.

That’s really it. It’s all by God’s grace. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or communion, to remember the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. Without the cross, and the resurrection no one is worthy.

Nothing I do or say makes me worthy. I am only made worthy by accepting His grace and forgiveness. Christ gave so much, and he asks for so little, simply my absolute surrender.

Are you ready to surrender all to Jesus today, and to accept His grace?