Brothers and Sisters, we continue our brief exhortations on the Lord’s Supper. Many of us grew up in environments where when the Lord’s Supper was administered, however often, it was “reduced…to a means of providing mental stimulus for individual religious meditation.” In other words, “communion is thought to be just another opportunity to exercise personal, private devotions at church.”[1] But the sacraments are uniting elements. It is communion in the body, as Paul says. If this is the case, instead of closing our eyes, we should open them, instead of turning inward, we should turn to one another.
Consider this: This is the Lord’s meal. The model Jesus set for us was that of a regular meal. It is true that Jesus was physically present in the first New Covenant Supper, but He is with us even now in Spirit. Can you imagine a silent dinner at your home? Or imagine mom with her head bowed and eyes closed during a meal meditating on the goodness of God in providing this food. This makes no sense! In the same manner, the Lord’s Supper needs to be a Supper of communion, and not privatization.
So, how do I exhort you this morning?
a) I realize that old habits are hard to abandon, but let me encourage you to keep your eyes open during this time; to look at one another.
b) As we will explain in future weeks, there is so much more than “individuals reflecting on Jesus’ death using the visual aids of bread and wine.”[2]
c) This is not a funeral; it is the meal of resurrected saints. So, smile. Pass the peace as if you were talking to someone, not as if you were telling someone a secret.
Conclusion: The Shalom of God is yours in this meal. This morning when we do eat and drink, eat and drink believing that Christ is in our midst.
[1] Jeff Meyers, The Lord’s Service, 216.
[2] Ibid.
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