Preparing to take the Lord’s Supper - Part Two - Saying Thanks

Like many people, I grew up in a family that prayed before every meal. In fact, I don’t ever remember eating a meal in my childhood home without first pausing to thank God for the food. This is a practice I continue to this day.

Before we come to the Lord’s Table, we should also pause to thank God. We thank him not so much for the meal, but rather for everything the meal represents. When Jesus served his disciples the last supper, he said of the bread, “This is my body,” and of the wine, “This is my blood.” He told them, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Remembering that the body and blood of Christ were given in our behalf ought to fill us with deep gratitude toward the Lord.

There is certainly a place for self-examination before coming to the Table. (I plan to write about this next week.) But, for many people, an over-emphasis on self-examination and repentance has turned Holy Communion into a morose, introspective event. This is unfortunate. The Lord’s Supper is intended to be a moment of unbridled joy.

One ancient term for Communion, still used in many church traditions, is the term “Eucharist.” This word comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving. Long before the pilgrims carved turkey at Plymouth Rock, the Lord’s Supper has always been the great Thanksgiving feast of the Church. We thank God because his Son died for us. We thank God because our sins are gone. We thank God because Christ has purchased us for the Father. We thank God because Jesus triumphed over all dark powers on the cross. We thank God because our future is safe in the Savior’s hands. We thank God because the death of His Son has set us free!

So when you come to the Lord’s Table, pause first to thank him. If you feel like dancing as you walk down the aisle, that’s perfectly fine. Indulge yourself in a little joy. You are about to dine at the Table of the One who loves you with infinite love. Trust his love for you, and say “Thanks.”