The Table of the Lord

There are some things in life that are so sacred, so weighty, so important that they demand reverence and careful attention. Standing at the bedside of a dying loved one, holding a newborn child, witnessing the vows of marriage; these are things that we instinctively know should not be treated casually. They are important. So important, in fact, that someone who is glib, irreverent, or careless in these things would be quickly and rightly condemned.

This evening, St. Paul teaches us in First Corinthians chapter eleven to consider one of the most sacred things in the life of the church: the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Here, at our altar, in this blessed Sacrament, heaven meets earth. Christ Himself comes to serve His people His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. And because this is a holy thing, a literal giving of God Jesus Christ to us, we must approach it in a way that honors Him, benefits our neighbor, and preserves the unity of His body. That is why we practice what is often called “closed Communion.” This is not a way of excluding people out of arrogance, but as a way of loving them deeply, by treating Christ’s gift with the reverence it deserves. Let me explain.

To find out more, listen to this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!