Communion Meditation - 8/10/2008

I was 18 when we adopted twin newborns into our family. We had kept them as foster children since birth. They had been born prematurely, one was thought to have possible cerebral palsy, and no one had offered to adopt them for over a year. Rather than let the state split them up to increase their adoption chances, our family made the easy decision to keep them.

Jason and Justin grew up to be big and strong in a very short time. After just a couple of years, it was determined that they had zero health issues.

I had never had a brother. Now I had two.

Justin was the quieter of the two. He got along with almost everyone, and had a great number of friends and people who took an interest in his life. He had lots of interests like basketball and cars, and had a wealth of friends.

When he was 21, Justin was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. He immediately began treatments, which required a great deal of patience and fortitude on his part. My parents were amazed that he never complained and never showed any bitterness about his situation. His disease was not brought about by anything he did, nor was it punishment for anything he had done in the past.

Six months after being diagnosed and after a great deal of love and care, my brother Justin passed away. Our family was hurting, but his spirit through the whole thing reminded us of what he was looking forward to, and what was really important in the end.

Stories like this cause us to pause and reflect on what is important in life. They make us recall memories and sometimes ponder our reason for existence.

2000 years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem. His family loved him and knew that he was something special, even before he had been born. They loved him and raised him to love the Lord.

He grew in wisdom and stature. No doubt, many people took an interest in his life and his teachings, and he counted many as friends.

When he was 33 years old, he was led to a cross and crucified. It was a painful, excruciating death, and his family was there while it happened. He had done absolutely nothing to deserve such a death - indeed, he had done nothing wrong for his entire life.

Nevertheless, he died and was miraculously raised again in three days.

Stories like this cause us to pause and reflect on what is important in life. They make us recall memories and sometimes ponder our reason for existence. We have the opportunity to reflect on this man's death each week. What does it make you think of? What is the reason for your existence? How has Jesus touched your life?