Meditations on The Holy Communion
He was asked to stand before the rest of the congregation just before the communion would be administered. Purpose_ to confess or be denied the body and the blood. The sin was that he had gone to a local market following the previous sunday worship meeting-thereby failing to keep the sabbath day, holy. He still had to face the consequence of the act for several weeks despite the confession.
Jones (not real name) was asked to stand up before the communion was served. His sins were put before him. He had apparently been deceiving and sleeping with weak women in the church. He was walked out of the church due to the habitual nature of his crime_ especially that he continued while he had been denied the communion for weeks. Do these sound familiar?
It was communion time. The minister announced that it was strictly for a select group / denominated sect of Christians. He warned that even then, they must be observing a period described as GRACE. These "select" group of people sanctimoniously took the bread and the wine. With their left hands clad within the right, breathing an air of importance they walked tall back to their seats while those implied to be "outside the grace" watched the ceremony.
Elsewhere, those not participating are not permitted to be present during the commemoration or are warned not to partake if they had unsettled issues or living in sin. In some instances you would have been baptised by water to qualify.
The firy judgemental disposition associated with the Lord's table has given birth to ill-feelings and suspicions, besides rumours among some believers. The other day, the choir director after singing very well_leading people into worship asked that the cup and the bread passed. It left the rest of the choir members suspecting what could have gone wrong." What sin could our leader have committed?" "If it was so much as to have prevented the partaking of the communion, why could not another person had led the worship?". A pertinent question to ask is why, even an opportunity was given for "right-standing" with God did the leader not confess the matter? If the matter is so serious to have prevented the person from the communion, it also could prevent one from going to heaven. The TABLE has thus assumed a more hallowed position than the invisible God. The fear of "many become sick and falling asleep..." has better grip of believers than the fear of God or the soul going into hell. The question remains unanswered; is the table for judgement or justice? The Lord presents a position we shall discuss further, thus.
Just before the Lord would suffer, he took the meal that we commemorate with His disciples and spoke many key words, among some of these are implied the following; "... as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim (show) the Lord's death till He comes.(1Cor. 11:26)"
Why would we need to show His death? There are historical records documenting the events. It is interesting that he did not stop the betrayer from taking the supper. Indeed he dipped the bread and offered it to him! There is a more friendly and beneficial reason from the communion than portrayed by many church folks.
Think of a situation where you need to show evidence- without doubt; the court of law!
Heb.9:17... states "For a testament(will) is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator (the one that wrote the will) lives". In the literal sense, in order for an heir to lay hold of the inheritance, there must be proof that the person making the will has died. Also, the scripture asserts that whenever we come into the presence of the Lord, we are before the Judge."But you have come...to God the Judge of all.." (Heb. 12:22-24). The Table thus is a similitude of an exhibit useful to back up our case, given to us by our solicitor and Advocate to present before the Judge of all flesh, with whom there is no partiality.
Remember, our accuser is always ready to present reasons why we must not get the justice due us. The communion is one of the most undeniable evidences that can qualify us to lay hold on the promises (inheritance). But if anyone takes the communion without discerning(understanding) what was achieved in the body of Christ, then they bring judgement upon themselves. [Weakness, remain sick or death as stated in 1Cor 11: 30]. The preparation needed prior to the communion should lay emphasis on revisiting the written will; what promised benefits that would come to us when Jesus went to the cross. Isaiah 53:5 states what should form the focus of our meditation when we approach the communion. He was bruised...He was chastised...He was wounded ... These happened to accomplish distinct purposes. We are thus encouraged to examine ourselves. There is need for judgement, but this should be a continuous event and should not wait till the communion. Also, it should be self-examination rather than condemnation. It should be a time dedicated to thinking through whether we would have embarked on anything that might indicate we are crucifying the Lord a second time. If we therefore, present ourselves overloaded with deceit during the communion, we risk being judged. Otherwise, the communion is a place to obtain justice. There are many testimonies to indicate that this sacrament is more than just a ceremony. We need hence to appear boldly, not as convicts or offenders, but as those robbed of our inheritance before the Judge of all flesh to obtain justice. It is exciting to note that the evidence available as exhibit was given to us by our Advocate who is present during the event to defend our cause.
Go into the presence of the Lord in awe of Him, and ready to obtain mercy and justice and not expecting a hanging sledge hammer to descend on your head for what you might be feeling guilty about. Confess your sins as soon as you are convicted and do not wait till the communion. You can expect solutions to your intractable challenge when next you take the body and the blood. The Lord bless you and best wishes for the season.
Nimzing Ladep
Jones (not real name) was asked to stand up before the communion was served. His sins were put before him. He had apparently been deceiving and sleeping with weak women in the church. He was walked out of the church due to the habitual nature of his crime_ especially that he continued while he had been denied the communion for weeks. Do these sound familiar?
It was communion time. The minister announced that it was strictly for a select group / denominated sect of Christians. He warned that even then, they must be observing a period described as GRACE. These "select" group of people sanctimoniously took the bread and the wine. With their left hands clad within the right, breathing an air of importance they walked tall back to their seats while those implied to be "outside the grace" watched the ceremony.
Elsewhere, those not participating are not permitted to be present during the commemoration or are warned not to partake if they had unsettled issues or living in sin. In some instances you would have been baptised by water to qualify.
The firy judgemental disposition associated with the Lord's table has given birth to ill-feelings and suspicions, besides rumours among some believers. The other day, the choir director after singing very well_leading people into worship asked that the cup and the bread passed. It left the rest of the choir members suspecting what could have gone wrong." What sin could our leader have committed?" "If it was so much as to have prevented the partaking of the communion, why could not another person had led the worship?". A pertinent question to ask is why, even an opportunity was given for "right-standing" with God did the leader not confess the matter? If the matter is so serious to have prevented the person from the communion, it also could prevent one from going to heaven. The TABLE has thus assumed a more hallowed position than the invisible God. The fear of "many become sick and falling asleep..." has better grip of believers than the fear of God or the soul going into hell. The question remains unanswered; is the table for judgement or justice? The Lord presents a position we shall discuss further, thus.
Just before the Lord would suffer, he took the meal that we commemorate with His disciples and spoke many key words, among some of these are implied the following; "... as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim (show) the Lord's death till He comes.(1Cor. 11:26)"
Why would we need to show His death? There are historical records documenting the events. It is interesting that he did not stop the betrayer from taking the supper. Indeed he dipped the bread and offered it to him! There is a more friendly and beneficial reason from the communion than portrayed by many church folks.
Think of a situation where you need to show evidence- without doubt; the court of law!
Heb.9:17... states "For a testament(will) is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator (the one that wrote the will) lives". In the literal sense, in order for an heir to lay hold of the inheritance, there must be proof that the person making the will has died. Also, the scripture asserts that whenever we come into the presence of the Lord, we are before the Judge."But you have come...to God the Judge of all.." (Heb. 12:22-24). The Table thus is a similitude of an exhibit useful to back up our case, given to us by our solicitor and Advocate to present before the Judge of all flesh, with whom there is no partiality.
Remember, our accuser is always ready to present reasons why we must not get the justice due us. The communion is one of the most undeniable evidences that can qualify us to lay hold on the promises (inheritance). But if anyone takes the communion without discerning(understanding) what was achieved in the body of Christ, then they bring judgement upon themselves. [Weakness, remain sick or death as stated in 1Cor 11: 30]. The preparation needed prior to the communion should lay emphasis on revisiting the written will; what promised benefits that would come to us when Jesus went to the cross. Isaiah 53:5 states what should form the focus of our meditation when we approach the communion. He was bruised...He was chastised...He was wounded ... These happened to accomplish distinct purposes. We are thus encouraged to examine ourselves. There is need for judgement, but this should be a continuous event and should not wait till the communion. Also, it should be self-examination rather than condemnation. It should be a time dedicated to thinking through whether we would have embarked on anything that might indicate we are crucifying the Lord a second time. If we therefore, present ourselves overloaded with deceit during the communion, we risk being judged. Otherwise, the communion is a place to obtain justice. There are many testimonies to indicate that this sacrament is more than just a ceremony. We need hence to appear boldly, not as convicts or offenders, but as those robbed of our inheritance before the Judge of all flesh to obtain justice. It is exciting to note that the evidence available as exhibit was given to us by our Advocate who is present during the event to defend our cause.
Go into the presence of the Lord in awe of Him, and ready to obtain mercy and justice and not expecting a hanging sledge hammer to descend on your head for what you might be feeling guilty about. Confess your sins as soon as you are convicted and do not wait till the communion. You can expect solutions to your intractable challenge when next you take the body and the blood. The Lord bless you and best wishes for the season.
Nimzing Ladep
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