CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

March 27, 2005 

 

CONTINUE TO LIFT UP:

Our congregation Our college students 

 

Our nation, leaders and military David, Leon and James in the military 

 

Various friends, relatives and co-workers Travelers including the Cruthirds & Mearns 

 

 

HAPPY EASTER! 

 

 

 

THE LORD'S SUPPER 

 

"I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15). 

 

We have come to realize that there are many aspects to the Lord's Supper. John Mark Hicks argues in his book, Come To The Table that the table of the Lord is not an alter but a table of fellowship. Many have emphasized the idea of the Lord's Supper as a memorial, a remembering of what Jesus did on the cross. This has gone to a point where this time is one of silence, no songs sung because we must reflect on the death of Jesus. One elder did not want anyone sitting on the table in the front of the auditorium because in his view it was sacred. As such, it has become a time of personal reflection offered at the altar. In scripture the Lord's Supper was instituted during the Passover, a time of celebration with serious overtones. The Jew would reflect on the meaning of the Passover and all that it meant. They were commanded to celebrate this time and many looked forward to being together with family and friends.  

 

As such the Lord's Supper should be looked at more than just a memorial. It is a time of celebration for what God has done in Jesus Christ. Ian Fair, a former teacher at the Sunset International Bible Institute and retired professor of Bible at Abilene Christian University (ACU), taught a class last year at the ACU lectures on the Lord's Supper. He told me recently of his web site and I found the following information on the Lord's Supper there, which I have adapted for this article. 

 

He examines the Passover and the several meanings involved as well as how Jesus saw and used the Passover to introduce His Supper. He also looks at the texts of the Supper in the New Testament and discusses some of the problems, especially in Corinth (see chapter 11) on the abuses of the Lord's Supper by that church. Then he provides some suggestions at looking at the Supper for us today. Since we have been doing this, using songs not associated with the Lord's Supper, and looking at the various shades of meaning involved, his suggestions will be helpful. 

 

The Lord's Supper should be seen as a time of thanksgiving for what God as done in Christ. Just consider some of the verses that could be used. Jesus came to the unlovely, loving someone for no good reason (see Romans 5:6-11). We love and have been shown love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). We have been called out of the old way of life to a new life and we look at things through the eyes of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:16). Our sins have been forgiven (Acts 2:38). This time is one of thanksgiving for what God has done and is doing through Christ. As such it becomes a time of joyous celebration. We are not talking about something frivolous or entertaining. What we are looking at is to see this as thankfulness. There are songs that we can sing that remind us of what God has done and who He is as we participate in this family (church) celebration. 

 

Another aspect of the Lord's Supper is retelling the story. When we see the practice of the Passover, each item on the table meant something. Scripture was quoted such as Exodus 6:6-8 and the Hallah (Psalms 113-118). Why did Jesus die for us? Let us remind each other of God's love for His creation and His willingness to come into a sin filled world. We could remind each other of what we use to be and what we have become in Christ. We could even connect the Supper to our baptism and change of life (see Romans 6:1-14). 

 

We also need to emphasize that God is in our presence as part of our fellowship with Him and each other. It is not that we come to a throne and bow down (though there are times for that), but that we come together around a common meal or table to share and celebrate our Father and the fellowship that He brought about. Exodus 24:9-11 gives us a glimpse into the future of fellowship in God's presence. Fellowship is important in this meal as well. The arrogant attitudes of the Corinthians ignored the fellowship aspects of the Supper and was causing problems there. Fellowship is one of the most important concerns of God's people. We see that in Acts 2:42-47 where they continued in fellowship with each other. Fellowship with God and each other should be emphasized during this time. 

 

These are just some of the ideas, most of which we have considered. There are many ideas and songs that we can consider as we gather around the table. There is joy in the Lord and such should be celebrated. It is a time of service (Jesus washing the disciples feet in John 13), of giving, of reflection (understanding what Jesus did, John 13), of sharing in both the good and difficult times we go through. To much legalism has crept into our time around the table that it becomes a time to do it quickly so we can move on to other things. We miss something when we do that. It is not an individual thing, though self-examination is important. It is a time of sharing in what God has done. 

 

George B. Mearns