There are lots of things going on when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. And having some sense of those things will help you when the bread and the cup are passed around. So, one obvious thing is that we are remembering that Jesus has come. He has come to rescue us from our sin and the evil that is all around us. The Supper is also a little taste of what John calls 'the marriage supper of the Lamb' when, finally, all the resurrected saints are gathered in the new heavens and earth to enjoy eternity with Jesus. At the same time, the Father is feeding our souls, giving us what we need so that we can live well. And, along with all of that, the Spirit is changing us, making us more like Jesus. And there are other things also. You can, for example, connect the Supper with the daily provision of manna in the desert.
So, in light of these various things that are going on, how should you take communion? That is, what should you think about or be feeling as the elements are passed around? I was taught that the Lord's Supper was to be a solemn and somber time. No one ever said that, but that's how everyone acted and I, like the rest, picked up on that. I think that the point was that we were supposed to be thinking about Jesus dying for our sins and feeling bad about that. But I can't think of any reason why we should act that way. It doesn't fit with what's going on. Is the Supper some kind of penance? Does the Bible teach that?
When you consider the things that I mentioned above, I rather think that the overall feeling should be happiness. Good things are happening as we take. Better things are being pictured as we take. God has blessed, is blessing and will bless. What's not to be happy about? But then someone will say, 'Didn't Paul teach that we proclaim the Lord's death when we have the sacrament?' Yes, he did. And what is it that we proclaiming about the Lord's death? Well, for one thing, because of His death our sins are forgiven. We have been rescued. Does it make any sense to feel sad because of that? Isn't it Good News?
When you consider the things that I mentioned above, I rather think that the overall feeling should be happiness. Good things are happening as we take. Better things are being pictured as we take. God has blessed, is blessing and will bless. What's not to be happy about? But then someone will say, 'Didn't Paul teach that we proclaim the Lord's death when we have the sacrament?' Yes, he did. And what is it that we proclaiming about the Lord's death? Well, for one thing, because of His death our sins are forgiven. We have been rescued. Does it make any sense to feel sad because of that? Isn't it Good News?
So, let me suggest one thing that you might do when we are celebrating the sacrament. Smile. Think about the forgiveness of your sins or of the coming banquet or how the Father is feeding you or any of the things that are going on. How good! Think about one of those things, and then smile.