The Unused Cup

Early one Sunday morning, a group of party leaders came by the White House to see President James A. Garfield to discuss a bill they thought should be passed by Congress.  They were surprised when he said he had a very important appointment and would talk to them that afternoon.

"But Mr. President," one man asked, "What could be more important than THIS?"

Garfield arose and walked to the door, turned to the party leaders and said, "Gentlemen, I have an appointment at the Lord's table!"  He then left with 
Mrs. Garfield and went to Sunday morning worship.

President Garfield 's "appointment at the Lord's table" was a reference to the Lord's Supper, a memorial of the sufferings of Christ observed by Christians every first day of the week (Acts 20:7).  The Apostle Paul gave the following instructions to Christians concerning their "appointment at the Lord's table":

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for YOU; 
do this in remembrance of Me."  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often 
as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1Corinthians 11:23-26).

An invitation has been extended to each member of the human race to come in obedient faith (Acts 16:30-31) confessing Jesus as Lord before men (Rom10:9-10) turning away from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31) and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38) so that they too may take their "reserved seat" at the Lord's table with those who will inherit eternal life. 

Consider the declarations of an "Unused Cup"…

"I am an unused cup for communion... left last Sunday from the worship service, giving testimony of an appointment unkept, a trust broken….

"I was filled in anticipation... that some Christian would drink of my contents and be reminded of the price of his redemption.

"Here I sit-- unused... Yet I bear witness of a love extended, a fellowship desired, and a grace made available. ‘This is the NEW covenant in my blood,'  Jesus said.

"Here I remain... reminding one and ALL that God's gift MUST be claimed.  He forces neither himself nor his blessing on anyone -- but He eagerly awaits acceptance.

"There is a cup for YOU each Lord's day... and no one else has a right to use it!
It is a sacred appointment that each of us has with the Lord to do this in remembrance of Him" (cf. Hebrews 10:24-29).*

Yes, there IS an appointment to be kept for the child of God at the Lord's table AND there is ALSO a seat reserved for YOU!  

The Lord's Table is set…

Will you keep YOUR appointment?  

God bless you,

David A. Sargent / Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* Author Unknown; printed in Glencoe (AL) Gleaner

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