The Week's Answers: The Lord's Supper

Eucharist. Communion. The Lord's Supper. There are almost as many names for the meal instituted by Christ on the night before he was crucified as there are different views concerning the meal. Here are a few things I think are very important to acknowledge in the Lord's Supper along with an unresolved point that I am still thinking over.

1. The Lord's Supper is a memorial to remember Christ's sacrifice.
The call to do this in remembrance of Christ is still true. When we gather together to partake of this meal, we call to mind again the redemption that cost Christ his life.

2. The Lord's Supper is a reminder of Christ's second coming.
We look forward to the day when we will not eat with the church only, but also with our King. There is coming a day of feasting that will be everlasting, the consummation of our redemption. The Supper brings that day to the forefront, giving rise to a deep yearning that we should have.

3. The Lord's Supper is a proclamation of the victory of Christ.
This has several implications. One is that the Lord's Supper is a proclamation. It is a physical retelling of the gospel, that Christ became flesh and died that he might reconcile men to God. Because it is a physical sign, it will need some explanation, but we must not relegate the Supper to a mere dramatic act with no ties to the gospel. Secondly, the Lord's Supper should be joyful. How many times have I taken the Lord's Supper in such a somber way that people would think that I was at a funeral. Yes, we must take seriously the call to examine our lives when we take of the Supper, but in confessing sin we should be reminded all the more of the victory of Christ. How can we not rejoice when we think on that! Another practical implication regards the frequency of the Lord's Supper. There are churches who practice this weekly. Many would argue that doing it weekly would make it lose its power and it would no longer have the effect it does now. I completely disagree. I hope that I never tire of hearing the gospel, be that through the verbal proclamation or the dramatic representation found in the Supper.

4. Here is the question: Is there something that happens in the present, during the Lord's Supper?
This is where it gets difficult for me. Yes, we look back and forward, which spurs us on and perhaps increases our religious fervor or piety. But is there more to it? Is it right and proper to speak about the real presence of Christ in the Supper? I'm not speaking primarily of a Roman Catholic or even Lutheran understanding, but one like Calvin, where we are said to be spiritually feasting on Christ's flesh and therefore being given a present grace of sorts. It is all a little confusing to me, but worth thinking over.