This meditation on the love of the Father for His Son, and the relatable feelings of encouragement are what soften my heart. We really do have a loving God, and Christ knew this when he instituted communion. Christ, in his understanding of the Father, left us with a relatable, physical way to remember his death and be encouraged. Everyone knows the bread and wine of communion. In many ways, these are meant for us to be reminded of the death, suffering and sacrifice of Christ. But what gets me is the way in which Christ also left us with a way to understand and relate to him after his resurrection. We are all familiar with the words, "This is my blood... poured out for many". But his words that come right after are, "I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” - wait, you mean to tell me that Christ won't drink wine until we are with him in Heaven? Perhaps I'm reading it wrong, feel free to correct me. The last thing that Christ tasted was sour vinegar. I don't know about you, but all I want after tasting bad wine is good wine.

Not only has God showed His love to us by encouraging Christ in his death by relatable human means, but Christ has also given us a way to relate to Him in his wait for creation's consummation. I can't wait to be there when Christ renews his drink of the vine. It'll be one big party. However, in the meantime, we drink to remember his death. My response is much like the disciples' in the account of Mark, "...when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Upon reflection of the physical, relatable passion of Christ, I don't know what else I can do except also engage in the physical, relateble act of singing praise to my Redeemer - Glory Hallelujah.