Lord's Supper - Johan D. Tangelder

When our Lord wished to establish a medium through which His followers might know and worship Him throughout the centuries, He used simple food and drink. He addressed Himself to man as a consumer of food and drink. It could have been otherwise. When He met with His disciples in the Upper Room He could have called for two minutes of quiet meditation on the meaning of His forthcoming suffering and death. He could have instituted any kind of ceremony. But He didn't. He gave them food and drink, and then said, "This do in remembrance of me."

In these simple, earthly food elements, the Lord meets His people. Eternity enters time. The Lord's Supper celebration is the time and place where heaven and earth nearly touch each other. The Lord of heaven and earth is the Host of the table. As we celebrate the past, the present and the future meet each other. We remember and proclaim the Lord's death. The Lord' Supper elements point back to Calvary's cross. But the sacrament also witnesses to the Lord's work in the present. As Covenant head, our Lord gives us His covenant blessings. We are reassured of the forgiveness of sin, strengthened in our faith, encouraged in our service. We meet the Lord as His covenant people. 0ur Lord binds us together. Through the Lord's Supper not only our souls are nourished, but our fellowship is strengthened. As we celebrate communion, we also look forward. We are to proclaim Christ's death until He comes. The Church is the bride waiting for the bridegroom. The future is wide open. What an encouragement in our gloomy times-Christ suffered the pains of hell so that His people may enjoy the feast of heaven. Through the Lord's Supper we celebrate the victory of life over death. We are people of hope.

Much has been written about the Lord's Supper. Volumes have been penned in an attempt to describe its mystery. An invitation is given to eat and drink. But with this invitation comes the call to worship and adore. In the sacrament we meet the Christ, Who was once man. What all this means a few sentences cannot describe. But He is also the Lord of majesty and glory. As we approach the Lord's Table, we do so with awe, reverence and thanksgiving.

Johan D. Tangelder

		Reformed Reflections
	From the Pastor's Desk (1989 - 1993) Lords Supper When our Lord wished to establish a medium through which His followers might know and worship Him throughout the centuries, He used simple food and drink. He addressed Himself to man as a consumer of food and drink. It could have been otherwise. When He met with His disciples in the Upper Room He could have called for two minutes of quiet meditation on the meaning of His forthcoming suffering and death. He could have instituted any kind of ceremony. But He didn't. He gave them food and drink, and then said, "This do in remembrance of me." In these simple, earthly food elements, the Lord meets His people. Eternity enters time. The Lord's Supper celebration is the time and place where heaven and earth nearly touch each other. The Lord of heaven and earth is the Host of the table. As we celebrate the past, the present and the future meet each other. We remember and proclaim the Lord's death. The Lord' Supper elements point back to Calvary's cross. But the sacrament also witnesses to the Lord's work in the present. As Covenant head, our Lord gives us His covenant blessings. We are reassured of the forgiveness of sin, strengthened in our faith, encouraged in our service. We meet the Lord as His covenant people. 0ur Lord binds us together. Through the Lord's Supper not only our souls are nourished, but our fellowship is strengthened. As we celebrate communion, we also look forward. We are to proclaim Christ's death until He comes. The Church is the bride waiting for the bridegroom. The future is wide open. What an encouragement in our gloomy times-Christ suffered the pains of hell so that His people may enjoy the feast of heaven. Through the Lord's Supper we celebrate the victory of life over death. We are people of hope. Much has been written about the Lord's Supper. Volumes have been penned in an attempt to describe its mystery. An invitation is given to eat and drink. But with this invitation comes the call to worship and adore. In the sacrament we meet the Christ, Who was once man. What all this means a few sentences cannot describe. But He is also the Lord of majesty and glory. As we approach the Lord's Table, we do so with awe, reverence and thanksgiving. Johan D. Tangelder

Reformed Reflections