The Cyber Kazbá

What do you think when you hear the words The Lord's Table? Most, I am guessing, begin to think about The Lord's Supper (a.ka. Communion). And I believe rightly so; but it is in our perspective of The Lord's Supper that I believe that our perspective of the Lord's Table is a bit underdeveloped.

Now much of this discussion is spurred from Fitz's old blog about the LS (Lord's Supper) Community. But I think its always a good idea to re-visit ideas that are powerful.

The experience that we have around the Lord's Table once a month (for most of us evangelicals); is often times a serious, contemplative and sobering experience. We are searching, sometimes, our most deepest intentions and motives as we draw out our last month's sin. To be honest the place looks and feels like a funeral. We dare not be caught taking this experience lightly as we know that we could possible fall ill or even drop dead.

Have you ever wondered if this is how it is suppose to be? Why are we acting like someone is dead? He's ALIVE for crying out loud! Perhaps if we inspect a little further about this idea of the Lord's Table we could maybe change our perspectives a bit and even our practice.

Now don’t get me wrong I am well aware of the 1 Cor. 11 passage that states: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” I see the emphasis on the Lord’s death here and that is maybe why we get a funeral at church every month; but I think we miss the point! You see it is the last part of the statement that we have totally forgotten when it comes to the Lord’s supper; “until he comes.” If we look back upon one of the narratives of the Last Supper we might get a better picture of what this looks like to take the Lord’s Supper as a preparation for his coming.

Luke 22:17-18 “After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Here Jesus tells his disciples that he will drink wine again; but the next time it will be at the consummation of the Kingdom. I don’t know what that occasion will look like but I can imagine it will be far from a funeral atmosphere. Oh to drink the sweet wine of the Kingdom of God at the Table with Jesus. Na Zdravy! (cheers).

So if our taking of the Lord’s supper is in anticipation of the return of Christ and the consummation of the Kingdom of God when/where we will drink wine at the Lord’s table; do you think it should bear the atmosphere of a funeral??? Heck no! It’s a party man!

I don’t mean to treat the Lord’s supper as one big random social gathering; but if we are to proclaim the one event in the history of the world that set every human being free from the captivity of sin; and hold this act in anticipation of our consummation supper with Christ; how should it look like?

Lastly, and perhaps more importantly is this idea of the Lord’s Table and Jesus’ command to his disciple that night to; “do this in remembrance of me.” I know many of you automatically think these might be typical last words of a dying man; something about remembering me after I die etc. And this is true but the dying man rarely ever wants you to dwell on their death, right? And so I imagine as the disciples are sitting there, these words came as a big surprise as they did not expect Jesus to die, let alone on a cross. So the cross and his death were probably last on their mind. What was on their mind was the LIFE of Jesus. What kind of life did Jesus live? What legacy did he leave?

Consequently; they were reclining at a table. This is one of Jesus’ common places; at a table. He was often found eating and drinking among friends. What kind of table was Jesus’ table? Who and what is the Lord’s table for? How did Jesus use the table as a way to reach out to others?

Here are my preliminary thoughts: The atmosphere at Jesus’ table was far different than a funeral. Even the Last Supper, I am willing to bet, was filled with laughter, enjoyment, and good food! Jesus used the table to get close to sinners. It was an intimate and safe environment where he could practically show the love of God. He could have been out teaching to the crowds or healing the sick; but many times he chose a table, to sit replenish, and commune with those who were rejected.

Isn’t the Lord’s table a place for such reconciliation? Shouldn’t the Lord's Supper not only be a place for saint and sinner alike? Shouldn’t it be a place where we celebrate the death of Christ in anticipation of the Kingdom? Shouldn’t the action of the Lord’s Supper spur us on to ministry in the likeness of the Lord’s Table not just once a month, but every day?