Well, we're bringing this blog series ("What Are You Devoting Yourself To?") on Acts 2:42 to a close--but we still have one final spiritual discipline to discuss together: being devoted to the Lord's Supper.
This discipline is obviously connected to the observance of a Christian sacrament or ordinance, but my heart in this blog is to perhaps challenge your thinking about how or when this ordinance is to be observed by you--a follower of Jesus.
Obviously, time could be spent here teaching/explaining the different views (or understandings) of the Lord's Supper, but I will simply tell you that I view the Lord's Supper as a time when I a) personally remember, reflect, and ponder what Christ did on my behalf through His life (active obedience), death (passive obedience), and resurrection [By His life and by His death, Jesus not only earned my righteousness (which He bestows freely as a gift to all who recive Him by faith--Philippians 3:9), but He also absorbed God's wrath which I deserved because of my sins (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:9; John 3:36; Ephesians 2:3)]; and b) I commune with the risen Christ (by the presence of His Holy Spirit within me) and receive from Him the forgiveness of my sins and spiritual cleansing (2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1:9).
Now you may or may not agree with my understanding of the purpose of the Lord's Supper as I have explained it above--but let me ask you some questions: 1) How often do you participate in the Lord's Supper? 2) Why do you participate in it that often? 3) Where do you partake of the Lord's Supper? 4) Why there (and not somewhere else)?
I ask those particular questions because I think two faulty concepts have arisen over time: 1) Some people argue vigorously about how often Communion should be observed (e.g. once a month, twice a month, once a quarter, once a year, every week, etc.), and 2) many people have been taught or assume that Communion can only be observed or distributed by clergy members within a church building.
Frankly, I believe Acts 2 (and the rest of the book) gives evidence that the early church did not have time, clergy or locale restrictions when it came to the Lord's Supper. In fact, as I understand church history, the Lord's Supper usually followed (or at least, accompanied) a meal amongst believers (hence, the phrase: "the breaking of bread"). In other words, believers would gather together for a meal, fellowship together around the table, and then as an act of spiritual worship and devotion, celebrate the Lord's Supper together in their homes.
I simply want to say that some of the most meaningful times of Communion that I have had have been with my wife in our home. On several occasions (when I was less than a godly husband), after I apologized to my wife for wounding her spirit, she and I would celebrate the Lord's Supper after we had made up. Not only was it a wonderful way to remind ourselves that forgiveness first came to us through Christ's sacrifice, but it was also a very tangible way for both of us to receive and offer forgiveness to each other as husband and wife. Now, I share that example NOT because you should only take Communion after you have a tiff with your spouse--but to show that you can celebrate the Lord's Supper in your home, with your family, with your small group, when you travel, in a hotel room, etc. Scripture does not forbid taking the Supper outside of the church building (remember, church buildings didn't come until about the 3rd century). What's more, I believe the Lord's Supper could become an even more precious gift to you if you intentionally consider when and where you might partake of this holy meal.
One final example: a dear couple whom I love and with whom I used to serve in local church ministry were both diagnosed with cancer some years back. In time, both of them were pretty much confined to their homes, but even before their mobility was hindered, they intentionally celebrated the Lord's Supper each day in conjunction with praying for each other, and others they knew who were also going through a battle with cancer. What a testimony! I know they received spiritual strength and grace through that practice, and I believe (more than anything) they wanted to be prepared to face Jesus... and what better way to prepare your heart each day (as though it may be your last) than by partaking of the Supper with holy self-examination and remembrance of the redeeming work of Christ.
I pray you, too, may learn to delight in the regular observance of the Lord's Supper in places and at times that some religious people would not expect. God bless you!
