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Lord’s Supper Instituted
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... He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks
judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
1 Corinthians
11:28, 27, 29
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When believers assemble to celebrate the ordinances of the
Lord’s Supper, there may be a Judas in the group. If so, messengers
from the prince of darkness are there, for they accompany all who
refuse to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Heavenly angels are also
present. People may come to the meeting who are not servants of
truth and holiness, but who want to take part in the service. We
should not refuse them. There are witnesses present who were there
when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is there to convict and soften
the heart. Not a thought of sorrow for sin escapes His notice. He is
waiting for the repentant, brokenhearted one. He who washed the
feet of Judas longs to wash every heart from the stain of sin.
None should exclude themselves from Communion because
some who are unworthy may be present. Christ Himself has made
these appointments, and He meets His people there and energizes
them by His presence. Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even
administer the service, yet all who come with their faith set firmly
on Christ will be greatly blessed. All who neglect these special
times will suffer loss. The administration of the Lord’s Supper was
to remind the disciples often of the infinite sacrifice Jesus made
for each of them individually as part of the great whole of fallen
humanity.
The Reasons for Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
But the Communion service was not to be a time of sorrowing.
As the Lord’s disciples gather around His table, they are not to mourn
over their shortcomings. They are not to recall differences between
them and their brethren. The foot-washing service has included all
this. Now they come to meet with Christ. They are not to stand in
the shadow of the cross, but in its saving light. They are to open the
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heart to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. They are to
hear His words, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.”
John 14:27
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