TRADITION! So sings,Tevye, in "Fiddler on the Roof". It is ingrained in us from our earliest memories. Traditions are not bad things, most of the time. They do, however, bring us to a point where the truth may be subverted by what we have always done. I used the example of Monopoly in my previous post. Many of us have played the game, few of us follow the written instructions. What is true in Monopoly is true in other areas of our lives. Tradition moves into orthodoxy and, in time, replaces the simple directions of God's Word. While often the tradition is close enough, or a variant of God's Word, so that little harm is done. However, tradition may rob us of experiencing the intimacy and purpose of God's plan.
Most of those who follow Jesus as Messiah, or as Savior if that is more comfortable for you, are familiar with a memorial He left for us just hours before He went to the cross. Depending on our background we call this memorial, Communion, The Lord's Table, The Lord's Supper, Holy Eucharist, The Last Supper or the Breaking of Bread. If I missed your title I apologize. Though there are minor variations and some differing theological baggage the service or ceremonies are similar. There is bread or matzo, and wine or juice. A big loaf , broken pieces or wafers along with little cups, a common cup, or a tiny package with both together. It is celebrated weekly, monthly, quarterly or on special days of remembrance. The tradition is drawn very clearly from the Scriptures. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 offer very similar accounts. John 13 does not mention the memorial but does mention the Passover meal. John adds the account of Christ washing the disciples feet. Based on this passage some fellowships add the act of foot washing to their memorial of our Lord's death. You can add Acts 2 with the record of the "breaking of bread" and additional testimony of the Lord's Memorial is found in 1 Corinthians 11. They all can support the call by the Lord to break bread and share the cup in remembrance of His death until He comes again. A worthy tradition that is based clearly in the Scriptures.
This is all well and good and even commendable that Christ's followers have kept this memorial going for about 2000 years. Few things last that long in any society or community. My question is pretty simple, is what we do a reflection of what was done when the instruction of the Lord was given? Has convenience and tradition replaced the Biblical example. More disturbing, has tradition and orthodoxy replaced the memorial and robbed us of a deeper, more personal, more authentic time of remembrance?
All of the accounts of this memorial we are to celebrate happened at a meal. None of them happened at a synagogue or "church" building. The Lord Jesus superintends the initiating of the original memorial at a Passover meal as recorded in the Gospel accounts. After that there is no indication of some ordained or authorized clergy overseeing the memorial. That does not necessarily mean there wasn't one, there just is no record. Let us take a look at the two other passages used to support the ongoing tradition.
The first is found in Acts 2:46, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." The believers went to the Temple (in other cities, the synagogue) to hear the Word of God. There were few copies of the Scriptures available, so God's Temple would be the place to go to hear the Word in Jerusalem. When the time at the temple was completed the Followers of Christ went to homes to share a meal and to break bread, possibly meaning a time of remembrance concerning the Lord's death. No church building, no little cups, no apparent clergy, but they were sharing and eating a full meal with gladness and simplicity of heart.
The second is found in I Corinthians 11:17-30. Here the record of the Apostle Paul's instruction and admonition concerning the Corinthian believers celebration. When the assembly came together to share in the memorial some got drunk and others ate all the food before the others, the less fortunate, could receive a satisfactory serving. Paul scolds them telling them that if they want to gorge themselves and drink too much, to do so when they are alone at home. When they gather together as an assembly of believers, be thoughtful of the others who have joined the group. Make sure everyone has a share and do not make a mockery of this special memorial. It is clear there is a meal involved and more than a wafer. You would have to eat a lot of modern day communion bread to feel satiated and over fed. I am pretty confident that most of us head home after our communion/memorial services with a desire to eat a meal. What we see in Scripture is the incorporation the Lord's Memorial into a shared meal with other believers. most likely in someones home.
The question I have is, "When was the last time you had a couple of believing families over for dinner and incorporated the Lord's Memorial into your meal?" Have you had a backyard bar-b-q and paused to sing a worship song or two and break some matzo and share some juice in remembrance of Him? Maybe it is having friends over for pizza and a game night and you take time together to remember the Lord's death while eating your food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Have we made the memorial so "Sacred" that we are missing opportunities for a more intimate time with fellow believers in sharing our love for the Savior? Would you feel comfortable doing this? Even if there is no Pastor, Elder or Priest to officiate? Just you and some close believing friends remembering Jesus while enjoying a time around an open fire with some s'mores, some bread to break and some juice or wine to share.If this sounds a bit much, is it Scripture or tradition that is rubbing your fur the wrong way? You might be closer to God's Word in your dining room than in the church sanctuary.
I am not suggesting that you do away with your traditional service. Don't go to your church leaders and ask them to discontinue your fellowship's celebration of the Lord Memorial. That time of communion with the Body of Christ can be powerful, meaningful, and a holy time together in the presence of the Lord. I have been touched in my spirit by God's Spirit in those traditional times with my little cup of juice and tiny piece of bread. Even those sort of squeaky wafers that stuck to my teeth and the eyedropper of wine have moved my heart in remembrance of Him. However, this memorial was given to you, for you. Your backyard, dining room, gazebo, campfire or even your "Man Cave" can be a sacred place to remember the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Do not let tradition or some man-made orthodoxy rob you of memorable times of communion with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, are you ready or willing to step out of your comfort zone and celebrate what He has given? I would be interested in hearing of your new found freedom to celebrate the Lord's table at your dinner table.
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