The Supper and the Pill

symbolic inscription on altar in church

In George MacDonald’s The Princess and Curdie, Curdie arrives at a city, and the city is described as a place where certain quacks advertise pills to enable people to think well of themselves. If you take this pill, you will get a boost of self-confidence; all your doubts and fears will go away. But, of course, this is a charlatan trickery, George MacDonal’d version of prosperity preachers.

In the City of God, no pills are required. We may struggle with our self-worth, and we may live our lives in doubt of who we are, who we intend to be, and where we are going, but the Gospel re-arranges all these things in the person of Jesus. Christ is our worth, our life and our intentions and future are wrapped up in him.

The Supper is not a pill to boost your self-confidence. On the contrary, the Supper is the objective proof of our confidence. Today, we come to this table because we live in a post-resurrection world. Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! We do not come to a table of fear but a table of empty-tomb joy! So, welcome to the resurrection table!

Friendships and Telos

My friendships have taken various layers over the years. Due to my theological and academic journey, I have accumulated voices from every Christian tradition ranging from Evangelical to Eastern Orthodox. Further, I have maintained decent and even strong relationships with folks who think differently politically. I have friends–and by friends, I refer to men who would open their houses to host me today if I inquired–who have drifted into leftist journeys in the last few years but with whom I could interact and share a drink and enjoy my time. Our lives would take diametrical terms if we lived too close to one another, but still, our gatherings would be a thing to behold.

I could easily enjoy the fellowship of a Tim Keller and some PCA ministers with whom I would disagree vehemently on issues pertaining to race and political inclinations. I could also gladly interact with folks in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. I also have dear friends in the Lutheran tradition with whom I share much in common. And a hearty gratitude to the Lutherans for their beer and hymns. We salute you.

I mention this array of interactions as proof of my desire for catholicity. But I also add my strong commitment to a caffeinated Reformation that is bound to make lots of folks uncomfortable, and they may gladly say “pass” when it comes to interactions with me. Doug Wilson refers to it as “Chestertonian Calvinism.” Sign me up! I will reciprocate acts of mutuality and enjoy the common good with those who think I spend too much time in Geneva, but I am not eager to push too far in these engagements because I know there is an ultimate good that surpasses the immediate good.

I am especially self-aware and consequently allergic to the tendency among many to atomize communions, making them enclaves of ultra-orthodoxy. I am less inclined to dwell among those and disinterested in formulating in their midst.

One of the many concerns I have–even recently–is with those who would imprint labels of “heretics” upon those whose lives are an investment in grace upon grace and whose fruit in 30-40 years have looked like garden vistas rather than desecrated ghettos. You shall know them by their fruits, and when their fruits lead to hyper-isolationism because no one else matched their pajamas, I am, properly speaking, “out.”

This is why it is much easier these days to commune with good Baptist folks who see the battle for what it is than to commune with Presbyterians who may share my own theological inclinations but whose political meanderings leave me speechless.

When Israel feasted, they feasted with enthusiasm because they shared a common enemy. They knew the war ahead had a target and that we all share a common vision of the common good and those things which destroyed the common good. Similarly, there will be greater friendship and feasting alongside those who share liturgical and political goals in common, and while the others can share a display of commonality, there will always be degrees of friendship.

The principle is, “Who do you feast with?” “Whose presence offers you a rhythm of shared rituals and telos that make that presence ever more meaningful, conversations ever more enriching, and goodbyes ever more saddening?”

These, ultimately, are the people with whom you build alliances and strategies and with whom you build a community around.

Every man/woman should have a circle of influence and fellowship, but the brothers in arms are those who are closer and whose voices harmonize with the reason for feasting and who see the enemy rightly.

Savoring the Savior: Communion Meditation

Exhortation:  It was G.K. Chesterton who once wrote that “One of the great disadvantages of hurry is that it takes such a long time.” There are clear places where the Scriptures invite us to do our task speedily. The task of worship, however, is not a grab and hurry and eat sort of invitation, it’s an invitation to stop and savor the salvation God offers us in call, confession, consecration, communion and commission. So, don’t expect a roller coaster experience in worship, but an intentional tour guide through the heavenly city.

Order and the Table: A Communion Meditation

There was once a father who believed in boundaries. He clearly defined them for his family. Sometimes the children thought the boundaries were too much. Since the father was gracious and kind, the children would ask the father about the nature of these boundaries. The father would carefully explain why they were necessary. The children did not necessarily like the boundaries, but they trusted their father. As they grew, the boundaries became fewer and fewer. The children were becoming accustomed to the boundaries and the routine they produce. They liked the fact that they knew what to do and what not to do. So, they assembled and formed a committee called CCPB—children concerned for the permanence of boundaries.

They approached their father and said: “Father, we don’t like that you are giving us more freedoms. We don’t think we are ready to live without these boundaries. We are surely going to perish.” The father hugged that lovely committee and said: “My children, it is time for you to take my boundaries and apply it to your new communities. You need to embrace your new freedoms and create your boundaries based on what I have taught you.”

The committee quickly disbanded and went their way eager to apply order to their new-found freedoms.

Beloved, our freedoms are never devoid of boundaries. Order is always on the table; without it, the table comes crashing down. Our Lord gave us this orderly institution. We are not to follow it mechanically, but joyfully. The same God who gives us order is the God who gives us abundant joy.

Confession and Sacrifice: A Communion Meditation

The time was nearing the confession of sins in church. The young lady filled with pride said to herself: “I don’t need to confess anything, so I will just mumble through these words.” After the confession, the people arose, and the minister said: “Your sins are forgiven!” The young lady said to herself: “I don’t need any sins forgiven, I am just fine.” Then the Lord’s Supper came, and the minister repeating Christ’s words said: “This is my body which is given for you.” Again, the young lady said: “Given! I don’t need anything given. I take what I want.” Later that afternoon the young lady was going for a run with her wireless headset cherishing her favorite tune and undistracted enough to not see a car running through the stop sign and coming rapidly in her direction. Just then a good Samaritan grabbed her by the hand and drew her back just in time to avoid the certain tragedy. She took a second to recompose herself after realizing what happened. The good Samaritan looked at her and said: “You could have died.” “Yes,” she said. Thank you for saving my life.” At that moment the young lady realized that life is not about possessing, but receiving with a grateful heart the gift of a life-giver.

Indeed we come to this table having our sins forgiven and lives rescued in Jesus Christ. We now taste of his sacrifice. Let us come not proud, but with humble hearts for God has delivered us from sure death.

As we come to this supper, let us remember that we are a body of believers who belong to one another in a biblical sense. This belonging means we don’t assume the worst of one another but seek to esteem others better than ourselves.

Love Suffers Long

One day a child came to her mother and said, “Mom, I simply don’t love my brother.” The mother—who generally knows all things and heard the two arguing earlier–looked at her daughter and said, “Sweetheart, you are confusing your lack of love with one behavior you didn’t like from your brother. But love is long-suffering. It is patient. What you meant to say is that you are frustrated with your brother.” The daughter went away pensive and thought long and hard about what her mom said. She later came to her mother and said: “Mom, if love suffers long, how long must love suffer?”

Our Lord Jesus daily shows his longsuffering toward us. Were it not for long patience, we would never come to his table. But today, he gives us the same answer. His love is longsuffering. Thanks be to God.

Pride and the Table

There was once a man who was very proud. “I have no need for church,” he said. “I have earned all the respect I will ever need from my scientific community. Look at my awards displayed so beautifully in my office!” That night the man died. As he was ushered into the presence of God, the Lord said: “Depart from me, worker of iniquity.” “But, but,” the man stuttered, “I tried to find you in nature and you weren’t there, I tried to find you in philosophy and you weren’t there; why should I be sent away from paradise when I honestly searched for you?” God responded: “When you were a child you knew me, you were baptized into my name, but as you grew you despised my name when you left the church, you despised my community when you left my people, and you despised my food when you chose to dine with false gods. Now, depart from me!” It is no trivial thing to despise the true God and his true bride, the church. The moral as we come to this table is: “Don’t despise the body. Don’t forsake your Lord. This table is yours.

The Table of Laughter

Robert Frost once wrote that “If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” He is quite right. But part of that laughter theme only makes sense in light of the resurrection. The promise that Yahweh will laugh at the nations (Ps. 2) is a promise that begins at the resurrection. We could say that the resurrection was Yahweh’s great laughter over evil. And as we approach this Easter table, Yahweh still laughs over evil, and we participate in this glorious laughter when we eat and drink together, for we no longer stand with Mary weeping at the empty tomb, but we stand with Mary as she rejoices in the New Adam who rules over the world.

Easter Meditation for the Lord’s Supper

The Resurrection of Jesus created this newly gathered body, called the Church. Of course, the Church had existed since the Garden but never has the Church possessed such glory, such overflowing joy, and such unity than when she was bathed in the Resurrection waters. The Old Church needed a thorough cleansing, and from the empty tomb flowed these rivers of life that begin this washing and cleansing of Christ’s Bride. Christ was raised for the sake of His Bride and World.

This meal is a continual celebration of the empty tomb. This is why this is a table of joy. The last Supper is now replaced with a new Supper each time we meet. And because this is a new meal it never becomes bitter to our taste. His mercies are new each time we gather as Resurrected people. Come and eat.

Advent Recapitulation, Eucharist Meditation

This morning though we recapitulate the Advent story, we do not live this Advent story as those in the first century. In that time, their expectation was filled with the sorrow of an old world and covenant. Today, we expect in this season with new eyes; the eyes of a people who have seen the glory of God and have tasted of his goodness. Advent is glorified for us! We expect this morning fully aware that history is moving forward to the eternal consummation when Christ will resurrect his Bride and make her perfect for the feast.

We eat with our Lord already having tasted of His Advent, but longing for more advents. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus and refresh us as we eat by faith!