Musing - Should our ‘Communion’ be called the ‘Lord’s Supper’?

Hebraic Musing - Should our ‘Communion’ be called the ‘Lord’s Supper’?
or  Should the ‘Lord’s Supper’ be called ‘Communion’?

The original ‘Lord’s Supper’ was described in Luke 22:13-20  So they prepared the Passover.  … Jesus … said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  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." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”  NIV

Note that the occasion is a Passover Seder, a meal complete with family style teaching, reminiscing, joy and reflection.  When Paul chastised the Corinthian church, he referenced a meal time, a supper, in 1 Cor. 11:20  When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat,…   Paul was critical of the lack of communal respect as celebrations were a little out of hand; but it was clearly a celebratory feast, a meal, that they were to enjoy. The word ‘supper’ means a meal.  And the meal was one of the everlasting feasts commanded by God in Lev.23.  Hmmm…what does ‘everlasting’ mean?

Today’s churches conduct Communion or Lord’s Supper or Eucharist in an introspective and somber mood with reflections or concerns about our worthiness while reciting 1 Cor. 11:23-24  The Lord Jesus… took bread… and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  … [and] …, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  Our Lord had said all this at His Last Supper as part of a full meal.  One would have to participate at a Passover Seder to fully appreciate all that is involved celebrating Pesach with the two sweet braided loaves of bread (Challah) and four cups of wine. The Seder is a complete meal with joy, teachings and reminiscing akin to family meals.  And when Jesus said “as often as you do this…” could he have been referencing the annual Pesach feast, not a weekly gathering?    BTW – The word ‘communion’ only appears in the KJV and a more meaningful translation would be ‘fellowship.’

Personal confession/reflections – I was raised Catholic and learned awesome respect for the Eucharist and the pomp involved in the mass leading up to receiving Jesus in the form of the Eucharist. Since being in Evangelical churches I’ve experience disappointment in the addendum manner in which ‘Communion’ is administered as a somber, quiet, tokenism after-thought.  And now I’ve studied the “everlasting feasts” prescribed by God in Lev. 23 and have been experiencing annual Passover Seders featuring:

·         Bread – three pieces of unleavened matzah, broken and distributed with significance and prayer

·         Cups – 4 glasses of wine, each with a symbolic purpose for reflection

·         Teachings – and remembrances

·         Expectation – that one day Elijah will join us at the table setting reserved just for him

We’ve been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb in Rev.19:9 which Jesus referred to when He said “when we do this again.”  Do you expect to receive more than a wafer and sip of grape juice?

Conclusion – When receiving the symbolic bread during the ‘communion’ service, may we reflect on the significance of His provision, the “Bread of Life.”    Mozel Tov!

Points to ponder

Should we learn more about the celebration of Passover?

Should communion be a daily, weekly, monthly or annual celebration?

What’s the significance of the four cups served at Passover? Next week

What think you?  What does the ‘The Lord’s Supper’ mean to you?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                    June 3, 2014