Save the Giraffes

Every other week, when we have communion at church, I retrieve Lilla from her class and take her into the service. On the walk back we begin to discuss why communion is important, why we take it so often, what the significance is in the memory and why it is important to be calm and quiet so others can repent, pray and have time with God too.

Last week, as we joined the line moving toward the altar, our conversation went something like this:

Me: Do you remember why we take communion?

Lilla: To remember Jesus died.

Me: Why did he die?

Lilla: To save us.

Me: And what does that mean for us?

Lilla: That we won't have to kill anymore giraffes.

Me: That we won't have to kill anymore giraffes?

Lilla: Yes, because Jesus died so no more animals would have to die. We don't have to kill the giraffes anymore.

It took me a second to take it in, but as I did, I knew she was right, in her understanding. When Jesus died, it took away our need to have to sacrifice another animal, no more lambs or goats or doves would need to have shed blood to cover our sins.

"Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, he washed me white as snow."

As I knelt at the altar, tears filled my eyes as I thought "Thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ!" Because of it, the world will never be the same. And, I know Lilla and I and all the giraffes of the world are thankful for it today!