CD - Doing the Supper Up Right - 1 Cor. 11:23-24

The Lord’s Supper is just that, the Lord’s Supper. It is His Supper and the way in which He gives it is the way in which we are to use it. Much like we do not go to someone’s house and say, “I do not want to do dinner the way in which you are serving it, I want to do it my way,” so we do not go to the Lord’s table and say, “It does not matter what you think, I want to do it my way.”

When Jesus gave His supper, He took it from the Passover Feast. Remember, the Passover was for all who were in the family and for the foreigner who was visiting. It was an open Passover. When Jesus gave the Lord’s Supper He did not invite the foreigner. He did not even invite the one disciple who was to betray Him. Jesus gave His supper for those in His family of faith, for those who were like minded in their confession. His was a closed Passover and a closed Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is not a “me and Jesus” thing. Jesus says that His body and blood are given for you (plural), or as we would say in Texas, given for ya’ll. It is a family meal, a family supper, a family dinner.

I have said these things before in small Bible studies, but I think I need to say it on a more broad basis, that is why I am saying it in the devotion, because you all need to hear it. Let me preface my words by saying that this is not something that I would set down as a law, because I cannot. The Lord’s Supper is a gift and we celebrate it as a practice. I would suggest that the best way to celebrate the Lord’s Supper is to celebrate only in your home church with your “family” of believers. These are the people you know. Here the pastor knows you and can care for you spiritually.

The Lord’s Supper is different from Holy Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is not something that is demanded, as is Holy Baptism. There really is no such thing as emergency communion. The Lord’s Supper, rather, is a family of faith dinner. It is a time to gather with those who have stood together and confessed together their belief in the teachings of this church. Thus, there is less problem of misunderstanding someone’s confession and of making a false confession.

Again, I cannot and will not make this as a policy (which would make it a new law), for to do so would be to go against conscience and Scripture. However, I would offer you these thoughts to spark your own thoughts as we together struggle with being God’s people in this place.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me especially when I approach Your table unprepared. Forgive me when I neglect to partake of Your Holy Meal. Thank You for the forgiveness You have purchased for me and for the many gifts which are mine through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Continue to strengthen me through Your Word and Sacraments. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.