Archives

The Food of Memory

   Written by on October 16, 2014 at 11:30 am

At the heart of Christian worship is a meal.  Call it communion, the Last Supper, or the Lord’s Supper—it is the highlight of what goes on in church.

word-Stephen CrottsGuiding our comprehension of the Lord’s Supper is 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. There, the apostle Paul reminds us of the original words of Christ Jesus at His first supper with His disciples.  “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus said.  The Greek word for “remembrance” is anamesis. We get our word amnesia from that. Jesus is calling His people not to get so immersed in this world that they forget Him.  We sit at table and remember who we are, the faith to which we belong.

Communion also reminds us of the future. Paul said, “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” That last phrase, “until He comes,” reminds us of Christ’s second coming to judge the earth, to set up His kingdom. We are reminded that history is not drifting aimlessly. It is, rather, on a course leading to mercy, judgment, and renewal—a civilization without sin or injustice or death.

Finally, the Lord’s Supper points us to the present. Again, at table, Jesus told us, “This is my body. This is my blood.” Not was or will be, but is here and now. There is no miracle in the bread and wine. For the miracle is in us. We believe in the action of Scripture as we hear it, the move of the Spirit shaping our lives.

Past, present, future—that covers it all, eh? And so it is at communion. Our past sins are forgiven. Our future is secure by hope of His coming. And our very present is strengthened by His presence at table.

The Reverend Stephen Crotts is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House, VA.

About Stephen Crotts

The Reverend Stephen Crotts is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House, VA. He is also the director of the Carolina Study Center, Inc., a campus ministry, located in Chapel Hill, NC. Pastor Crotts may be reached at carolinastudycenter@msn.com.

Connect

View all Posts

Leave a Reply