Communion Meditation for 2/25/26

I was recently at a funeral of a dear friend, Brad Haymond. Brad was from California, and we worked on the same construction crew. He was a big, burly guy, a Vietnam vet. Don, our foreman, said he used to ride motorcycles and jokingly called him “Scooter Trash,” but he was an awesome, Godly influence in my life. We would pray before work. And ended the prayer with Lord help us to work like we are working for Jesus. Brad knew that our jobs don’t define us; our service to our King defines us. We aren’t working to earn His love—we’re working because we already have it.

At the funeral, the pastor giving the eulogy said he knew where Brad was: he was with Jesus. He said if we believe in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, this life on earth is as close to hell as we will ever be. Isn’t that awesome? The power, the mercy of our Savior. Jesus didn’t save us from a slap on the wrist. He saved us from the fires of hell, from being separated from God for eternity.

I got to thinking: he’s right. With this world’s trials, with all the junk in this world, if we are Christ followers, no matter how dark the valley, he’s with us, and if we keep on, keepin’ on, it’s always going to get better.

But then I got to thinking, What is as close to Heaven as we’ll ever be?

Maybe it’s a perfect sunset, a well-timed hug, a baby’s laughter. I’ve been blessed; I’ve had a lot of good times in my life. I’ve caught glimpses of Heaven. I’ve even witnessed miracles.

Christ said, “Whenever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I will be there.” Even with my Kentucky math, I know there’s more than 3 of us here.

He’s here. Right here. Right now. 

When we gather around the bread and the cup, we step out of the junk of this dark world, and we fix our eyes on Jesus. His life, his death, his resurrection. Remembering Jesus, with all of you, is pretty close to Heaven.

When we reflect on the perfect Holy Sacrifice. The power of God’s saving grace, the absolute finished work of the Lord Jesus. He’s removed our sins, guilt, and shame. He died a horrible death, for us. He gave his life so we could have eternal life. He’s here, right here, right now. Let us now work out our faith, our every breath, as if we were working for Jesus, whose finished work gave us everything.

I invite you to reflect on Psalm 139:23-24 as we are close to Heaven during this most sacred time of Communion.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”