There's Nothing Like a Family Meal
Savoring the Lord’s Supper
Come to the Table
I’m convinced that one of the most important rhythms in a family’s life is prioritizing sharing meals around the table. Like all families, though, our weekly schedule quickly becomes chaotic with practices, games, stuff at work, etc. So trust me, we get it. We’re with you. It’s hard.
But even so, I still think it’s worth every bit of effort for families to sit around the table together, at least every so often. I know that every time we do, a good meal is usually complemented by good conversation. We share about our day. Both the highs and the lows. We share stories and laughs. Our burdens and knock-knock jokes. Simply put, we take delight in each other as members of the same family.
Taking the Supper as Family
That’s why it comes as no surprise to me that the Lord’s Supper is likewise a family meal, shared by members of the same covenant body. While there are many avenues we could explore when it comes to this ordinance, its this familial quality of it that I want to focus on today.
Every time we see the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament, it takes place in a communal context. Whether it was when Jesus first inaugurated it, surrounded by His disciples (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-23) or when Paul gave the Corinthians correctives for the right heart posture when taking it (1 Cor. 11:17-34), the Bible seems to assume that this is a meal shared together.1
So the next time your church takes the Lord’s Supper, absolutely take that time to personally examine yourself and your relationship with the Lord. That is right and true and biblical. And… take a moment to appreciate the context in which you’re taking the meal — With your blood-bought brothers and sisters in Christ; the people who the Lord has put in your life to build you up and care for your soul. And the people who the Lord put in your life for you to build up and care for their souls. Before you partake, look around the room at your fellow church members for a bit. And take delight in them as evidences of God’s grace to you. Because that is right and true and biblical too. There’s nothing like a family meal.
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It is important here to recognize the difference between the ideal and the reality. The ideal would be for all members to partake together at the same time. This isn’t always the reality though. A few examples: (1) Space constraints may necessitate that a church have two gatherings for a season until a larger space is attained or members are adequately equipped to plant another church, (2) A member may be deployed on military assignment or, (3) homebound due to physical limitations. The latter two which keep individuals from participating are known as providential hinderances. This means they are physically unable to join the gathering due to forces outside of their control. How or whether these brothers and sisters participate in the meal is a matter for each local church, along with guidance from its pastor-elders, to decide.