JDL - Direction Twenty-five - The Lord’s Supper - from tolerance to care

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. (1 Cor. 11:27 (ESV))

Fortunately, and at times unfortunately, we live in a tolerant country (society). This means that we tolerate others’ belief systems. This is good in so far as we, as Christians, may freely practice our faith and live and worship as Christians in this country. This is not so good when this tolerance ekes its way into the church.

As Christians we understand that we are to be respectful of others, and we are to treat others as we would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12). Thus, as Christians we are tolerant of others, their beliefs, their church, even their lifestyle, insofar as it is at least morally sound. Yet, even though we may be tolerant, God is not tolerant. God is intolerant of sin. God is intolerant of faith in any other god other than Himself. God demands we worship Him and serve only Him. God demands perfection from us in our lives. And the threat is, unless we live as such, we are bound for eternal spiritual death.

Thanks be to God that there is forgiveness. As was discussed earlier, where there is confession there is absolution. But what does this have to do with the Lord’s Supper? And you will notice that I use the term, the “Lord’s Supper” instead of any other term which one might use such as; Holy Communion, The Last Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar, etc. It is the Lord’s Supper. He is the one who has given it to us, and so it is His Supper. He is the host, and we are His guests, and so it is His Supper.

We do the Lord’s Supper right, and we do it best when we do it in the way in which He has given it to be done by remembering that the main thing in the Lord’s Supper is bread and wine, body and blood, and forgiveness of sins. We also do it best by remembering that the added benefit of the Lord’s Supper is that it is also a witness of oneness in fellowship. Remembering those things, we do well to take care in how we do His meal.

Paul is to the point when he tells us that one might eat or drink to one’s judgement. As a Christian congregation, then, we will want to do everything in our power to care for those who approach the Lord’s Table so they do not hurt nor harm themselves spiritually. It is because of our love for those who come to the Lord’s Table that we practice the loving practice of closed communion. And really there are only two options, either open communion meaning that anyone and everyone may dine, or closed communion meaning that only those who are prepared and are in fellowship together may dine .

The early church and even Jesus practiced closed communion. Jesus did not invite anyone except His disciples (even Judas was excluded) when He gave His Supper. In the early church those who were not partaking of the Supper were excused and the doors to the church were closed.

The Lord’s Supper is not a “me and Jesus” meal. The Lord’s Supper is a community celebration. It is a confession of faith and an identification with a community. When one partakes of the Lord’s Supper at a Roman Catholic church, one professes one belief in the Lord’s Supper. When one partakes of the Lord’s Supper in a Baptist church, one professes a different belief in the Lord’s Supper. When one partakes of the Lord’s Supper in a Lutheran church, one professes yet one more belief in the Lord’s Supper. Thus, if someone partook of the Lord’s Supper at a Roman Catholic church, a Baptist church, and a Lutheran church, they would be lying to two of the three churches and their members.

We are worthy and prepared to approach the Lord’s Supper, through which our Lord comes to us to give us His good gifts and blessings and to direct us in our lives, when we have prepared ourselves. We prepare ourselves by reviewing the fact that we are sinners, and it was because of our sins that Jesus had to die on the cross. We confess our sins and pray the Lord’s help and guidance in not sinning those same sins again. We believe that we are being given the body and blood of Christ, in, with and under the bread and wine. We believe that this gift is for me. And we believe we are being given forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith and life and salvation through this most holy gift. And we understand that through this means as through the other means of grace, our Lord directs us and our lives.

Think About
If actions speak louder than words, what do your actions say concerning your belief in the Lord’s Supper? What about the belief of those who dine with you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your most precious gift of Your body and blood in Your Holy Supper. Forgive me when I fail to make witness of my faith in Your gift of Yourself. Help me to always be ready to give an answer, even a defense of my faith, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.