Because of My Love For You, a Poem of Communion

 Luke 22:14-20: “And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, ‘Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”

This poem is by Frank Carpenter, written as a meditation on the act of taking the Lord’s Supper.

Beloved child, though you had wandered far from me

Though your very nature repelled me

Though your rebellion was deserving of death

I love you still, beloved child

Because of my boundless love for you

I reached out across time for you

I reached out beyond sin for you

I reached out to rescue you

Because of my love for you, beloved child

Because of my perfect love for you

I took your sin upon myself

I bore the cross you should have borne

I died the death which you deserved

I sacrificed my life for you

All for the love of you, beloved child

Because of my sacrificial love for you

I cancelled your iniquity

I cleansed you from the stain of sin

I washed you whiter than the snow

I bought you for eternal life

Because of my love for you

I am my Father’s beloved child

But his love for you is such that he offered me on your behalf

He offered me to suffer and die

That he might draw you back unto himself

Because of his great love for you, beloved child

Because of my gracious love for you

I gave my body to be broken for you

I gave my blood to be poured out for you

The blood of my covenant and my forgiveness

These I offered willingly because of my love for you

Always remember my love for you

May the bread and the cup ever be tokens between us

Taken because of your love for me

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