Shed even for them

This last weekend I visited Cleveland and met a bunch of people, including Robyn's pastor. While we were chatting with him he said something very profound, "When you are upset with someone, remember, Jesus died for that person."

This point was driven home to me during Eucharist yesterday. As the assisting minister, I pass out the little cups with wine or grape juice in them and say, "The blood of Christ, shed for you." What a vivid reminder of that lesson from two days earlier! Just as I got to thinking about this one of the people in the congregation, who seminary has taught me to refer to as "a challenge," came forward to receive communion. What a reality check to have to say the same thing to that person that I said to everyone else, "The blood of Christ, shed for you."