THE PRECIOUSNESS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

THE PRECIOUSNESS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH

 

 

Four names have been given to this meal which clearly indicates what this meal meant to the members of the early Church. All of these were made a part of the record of Holy Scripture and therefore preserved for future generations of God's people. These enable Christians to evaluate the im­portance and the preciousness of this part of the Communion service.

lb. In substance it is called a supper.
The first name describes the elements of this aspect of the communion service. It is called a supper. This means that this aspect of the communion was substantial in character. It was the main part of the entire gathering for communion. It consisted in a full meal. It lasted over an extended period of time. It was made up of the elements of food that ministered to their physical senses and to their physical well-being. It created in them the sense of physical satisfaction. It was something that the entire assembly felt and enjoyed. This was no mere tidbit of bread and a mere sip of juice that could be forgotten almost immediate­ly.

2b. In source this meal was called the Lord's Supper. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One who arranged for and direct­ed this meal. He is the One who was the host of this meal. And He is the One who was at the very center of this meal. And above and beyond all this, Christ is the One who made this meal possible. He was shortly to lay down His life in order to save the men and the women who would gather at this supper. He was the one who would send the Holy Spirit that this is described as it is in Acts 2:42--‑

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - This is what they believed.

"And fellowship" - This is what they felt about one another.

"And in the breaking of bread" - This is what they experienced.

"And in prayers" - This is what they displayed in worship and devotion.

The love feast provided an exhibition to the world that made a profound impression. One writer expressed it thus: "Behold, how they love one another".

At first this meal was practiced daily. This was true when the entire church was located in the area of Jerusalem. Later, when the church was scattered, and persecution broke out, other arrangements had to be made. But for many years it was something that took place every Lord's day. No com­mands were ever made as to the frequency of the communion service. This would have to be arranged in relation to the circumstances confronting each assembly of believers. But as often as they did carry it out, this meal was to be a part of this sacred gathering.

4b. In satisfaction this meal consisted in a glad, joy­ous, happy occasion. Both Peter and Jude use a word for feast that describes this sense of deep satisfaction. (2 Pet. 2:13; Jude 12). The emotional effect of this meal upon the people was to create a sense of deep satisfaction issuing in joy and happiness. This was shared by all the people. They rejoiced that they belonged to this assembly of saints. They treasured the fact that they were children of God and had a sure hope for the future. They experienced a new concern for one another and willingly made what they pos­sessed available to others who had need. They shared a com­mon concern for the physical welfare of each other. All this and more found its central feature in this meal, and created the sense of abiding joy they experienced every time they gathered together for the communion service.

5b. As always, in the ease of sacred things, those who live after the flesh are bound to abuse them. All this was true with the Lord's Supper. Both Peter and Jude refer to the spots in their feasts of love (2 Peter 2:13; Jude 12). Paul had to administer a severe rebuke to those who were desecra­ting the Lord's Table (1 Cor. 11:17-34). But he did not counsel discontinuance. He did not give them direction for correcting the abuse. His approach to the love feast should be ours, not an abandonment of the form.