Better Together
This past Sunday our church observed the Lord’s Supper for the first time since the pandemic hit our nation. For me it was a very powerful reminder of the unity that we have in Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:17-26 teaches us about the importance of coming together for the Lord’s Supper. One of the key phrases in the passage is “come together.” The phrase appears three times in these verses and provides a context for the Lord’s Supper. We partake in the Lord’s Supper as a gathered church.
As important as gathering together is, the manner in which we gather is even more important. Paul goes so far as to say that the church at Corinth was worse off for having gathered. His point was not that they should stop gathering but that they should evaluate their motives and change their ways. As it was, their worship was self-centered and shallow and resulted in the church being divided rather than united.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul explains how, when done properly and in order, the Lord’s Supper is an expression of the unity of God’s people. In our local churches we unite, not around our preferences or the personality of our leaders, but around the crucified, resurrected Jesus who purchased our salvation at the cost of His blood. When we observe the Lord’s Supper with this focus then we truly “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
Even though our local churches may not have the same problems as the church in Corinth, we live in a selfish age. The worship of the church is often framed in terms of meeting our needs rather than remembering what Jesus did to meet our ultimate need. Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people struggled to remember His redemption. The generation that wandered in the desert forgot how God delivered them with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. The generation that entered the Promised Land also forgot the Lord and turned after other gods. We are no different today. We need regular reminders of God’s grace.
The Lord’s Supper reminds us of our need for a sacrifice in order to provide forgiveness for our sins. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus is that once, for all sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we are united in Christ’s death. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Christ binds us together as God’s people. The Lord’s Supper reminds us we are awaiting Christ’s return.
We rejoice in what Ephesians 2:13 says:
“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”