Head bowed, reverently praying over the communion we were about to take together, the open juice cup wavered as it was handed to me. Gripping the base with the fingertips of my left hand, I pressed my right index finger to the edge of the top, steadying it. Two lines of juice had spilled out and nearly dried right where I pressed, squishing, with my effort, into the clear plastic. Sticky and flattened, it looked almost like a lipstick imprint pushing against the side. I pulled my finger away and the remnants clung. The same symbol on the cup transferred to my finger.

At first it felt like an annoyance (no napkins, after all), and my mind raced for where to wipe it. But then a smirk crept onto my face. These two little marks resembled an imprint of lips – a kiss – from the blood of Christ to my finger. Suddenly the inconvenience became a blessing, the perfect example of why I was taking communion. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). The love expressed through Jesus’ sacrifice was physically manifesting on my finger – a smooch from my Savior, a kiss from my King. His own blood, given to me – transferred to me.

The thickened, red grape juice stuck on my finger was also reminiscent of a little wound, like a pin had pricked my finger and drew my own blood. And how fitting! Jesus bled, poured out for us. His blood washes over us. And while Jesus was betrayed with a kiss, that plan also led to the painful pricks that took his life and drew his blood. If I had nothing else to give Jesus at that moment, he could have, in return, my sacrificial “blood:” my promise, my love.

Christians talk about the blood of Christ washing over us, but do we think about the blood pumping through us? If there is blood in our veins, we are granted God’s opportunity. Every moment, Jesus’ sacrifice covers the believer’s many, many sins. Every minute we are to receive and live in that gift. Each day we have a choice to pursue transformation, to let the Holy Spirit fill us up from the inside out, and to ask Him to do so. To seek discipleship with Jesus, to lean, trust – live and breathe! – The Way. How many times a day does our Lord lean down and bless us with His kiss of grace? Of freedom? Of value, identity, mercy, delight…love? He is not only offering those things while we are in reverent and honorable places, but also in the grimy and gritty moments of living. He doesn’t suddenly appear during communion, or worship, or prayer – He never left.

I pray that each of us feel the peace of Christ during the madness of life and feel His kisses during the chaos. May we each live in the Lord’s favor and pour back into His love!