To understand the Lord's supper, we begin by remembering the way Jesus conducted himself (or failed to!) at table:  one faux pas after another, violating social custom.  He ate with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:2), and was accused of gluttony; he rudely urged his hosts not to invite their friends or the "right" people, but the poor, maimed, and blind (Luke 14); Jesus permitted an unseemly woman to wash his feet with her hair (Luke 7); he in turn washed the feet of his disciples (John 13).  When we "do this in remembrance" of Jesus, we expect surprise and even offense, social subversion, the shattering of what seems "normal."

   Theologically, the Lord's supper has several nuances:  it is an act of thanksgiving (Acts 2:46), a fellowship meal (1 Corinthians 10:16), a memorial (Luke 22:19), even a sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14).  Ignatius called it "the medicine of immortality," for this meal anticipates the biblical vision of the glorious banquet that heaven will be.

   The Church's passion to understand this mystery has inflamed fiery (and sad) division.  The initial "winners" were the proponents of the Catholic doctrine of transsubstantiation, the belief that God powerfully alters the elements into the true body and blood of Christ.  The leaders of the Protestant Reformation disgreed - but did not agree with each other.  In 1529, Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli argued over what Christ meant when he said "This is my body" (Mark 14:22).  Luther asserted a "real presence" of Christ, Zwingli a spiritual fellowship of believers with Christ.

   Christians debate what kind of bread to use, and whether to serve wine or grape juice.  The Welch's label says "since 1869," the date Thomas Welch, a dentist (and communion steward), due to his scruples about wine, concocted "unfermented sacramental wine" for his church.  Methodists generally do not use wine; Catholics and Episcopalians do.  Frederick Buechner wryly claimed that grape juice is "bland, a ghastly symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ.  Wine is booze, dangerous; it makes the timid brave and the reserved amorous.  It loosens the tongue and breaks the ice.  It kills germs.  As symbols go, it is a rather splendid one."

   Denominations continue to parry opinions, even excluding those who disagree, again not out of stupidity but of a passion for truth in these matters.  Yet the Lord's Supper should be a haven of unity instead of a source of dissension.  "The Lord's supper takes place on the basis of an invitation which is as open as the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross.  Because he died for the reconciliation of 'the world,' the world is invited to reconciliation in the supper" (Jürgen Moltmann).

James

james@mpumc.org

* Speaking of the Lord's Supper:  Come (if you are in the Charlotte area) to the University Park Baptist Church next Sunday evening, November 6, at 6:00pm.  I will be preaching, Myers Park will supply special music, and we will celebrate Holy Communion in a great festivity of community!

Coming up:

eWorship19 - Praying for Others

eWorship20 - Repentance and Forgiveness

eWorship21 - School of Theology and Virtue

eWorship22 - Seasons and Years

eWorship23 - Holy matrimony

eWorship24 - Benediction

eWorship25 - Funeral

The complete eWorship series may be found on our web site.