by Jay Therrell, Conference Superintendent

OCTOBER 15, 2025 

For those of you who have been following Seedbed’s Wake-Up
Call Gospels series, we are now halfway through the Gospels. We finished the
Gospel of Mark yesterday and begin the Gospel of Luke today. I’ve been massively
encouraged to hear from so many of you who are leading your churches through
this journey. I don’t know how many of our churches picked up this challenge,
but I’m willing to bet it’s close to half based on all the conversations I’ve
had.

I have no idea how many times I’ve read the four Gospels –
many times over the years. They are my absolute favorite part of the Bible.
Yet, once again, I’m finding new discoveries as I read a chapter every day.
That was certainly true for me on October 12 as we started the final stretch of
Mark’s Gospel. J.D. Walt’s entry from that day continues to
marinate in my heart and soul. That day, we read Mark 14, and J.D. focused on
the Last Supper. He zeroed in on Jesus’ words in verses 22 and 24, “This is my
body…this is my blood.” From there, he distilled everything that Jesus did that
world-changing night and the next day on the cross to three words, “Me for
you.”

Jesus offered Himself to all of us on the cross. Me for
you. In that seminal act of salvation and love, He who was whole became broken
so that we who are broken could become whole. Me for you. In that simple
declaration in the Last Supper and lived out on the cross, Jesus also conveyed
His deepest desire of what He wants to hear from all of us: me for You. He
offered all of Himself for us. He wants nothing less from each one of us.

He doesn’t want us for one hour on Sunday. He doesn’t just
want 10% of our earnings. He wants all of us. He doesn’t just want us in a
small group for an hour or two or an act of service here or there; He wants our
whole devotion as we work, eat, sleep, play, and live the rest of our lives. He
wants our whole hearts. He wants us to turn from the things that cause us to
miss the mark (sin) and turn towards Him and place our full trust in Him to
transform us. Anything less falls short of the gift He offered us. Me for
you. 

When we remember the Lord’s Supper by coming forward to
receive the bread and the cup, we’re making our own declaration to Jesus. We’re
saying, “me for You.” That’s precisely why our sacrament is an “open table” in
the sense that Jesus’ salvation is open to everyone, but it’s also why we
should be clear that the invitation to come forward means that we’re doing so
to say back to Him, “me for You.” When we come forward, there’s no right way to
feel or think. We can overcomplicate it if we aren’t careful. The only thing we
should be thinking and feeling – the only words that should be in our hearts
and minds are simple and yet profound – “me for You. 

I’m still shaken to the core of who I am, trying to
understand that the Creator of the universe gave Himself for me! Me for you. I
don’t deserve it. There’s no amount of good I could offer to the world to earn
it. Yet, on the cross, Jesus lovingly took what I deserved, declared “it is
finished,” and offered Himself for me. He did the same thing for you. Me for
you. Me for us.

I’m still a work in progress. I get impatient and
selfish…which is you for me. I get frustrated and grouchy…which is me for me.
I’m so much better having been a follower of Jesus for almost 40 years, but the
Holy Spirit has more to do in me. How does He move me from “you for me” to “me
for You?” He does it through my daily time with Him. He also does it by being
in a Wesleyan band. Through those times of intentional discipleship and by
surrounding me with people who love me enough to tell me hard truths, He
proclaims, “Me for you!” Yes, it can be painful at times to be corrected, but
I’ve learned to seek it out because the goal of “me for You” is such a
beautiful prize. He is worthy, and the fruit that comes from that journey is
beautiful!

I’ve read the Gospel of Mark so many times I can’t remember
the number. Yet, here I am decades later tilling new spiritual soil and
continuing to be shaped and formed. I’ve presided over Holy Communion more
times than I can count, and because of this Gospel journey, I don’t think I’ll
ever participate in celebrating the Lord’s Supper the same way again.

That’s the way it is with Jesus. That’s what happens when
you hear His call, “Me for you.” It’s how the Hope of the World saves the
world. And I’m ready for more!

All God’s love,

Jay

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