Attending the Lord’s Supper

 A teenager’s account of his first Lord’s Supper (in the 1720s) 

I heard that the sacrament of the Lord's supper was to be dispensed at Gargunnock. Thither I went. On the Saturday, the minister of the place, Mr. Warden, in the evening came to give some directions relative to the solemn work in view; and took occasion to set forth and commend Christ; which he did with such clearness and affection, and, as I thought, the Spirit so concurring therewith, that it wrought in the most wonderful manner upon the hearers that ever I had seen. For aught I knew, there were few that were not in a weeping frame, and yet continued composed. For my part, I thought it was the most pleasant work I ever experienced. It was to me like the very suburbs of heaven, and a token for good, with respect to the solemn work of the ensuing Lord’s Day.

On the sabbath morning, Mr. Warden preached from Isaiah 55:2, ‘Eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.’ From this text he preached Christ and all his fulness as a feast set before us on the gospel table; and showed, that all present were equally warranted to partake thereof. I have forgot what particular account he gave concerning this subject, but what I remember was, that there seemed to be more than an ordinary working of the Holy Ghost therewith: for it was a discourse that gained the greatest and tenderest attention among the hearers, so that I question whether ever I saw the like to this present time.

For my part, at such a display of love and grace as was set forth at this time by the gospel, my heart was nearly melted down in me, and filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I wondered at the love and grace of God, that ever it should have been so expressed towards me. All which occasioned me to shed tears in great abundance. But oh, (as I thought), they were tears pressed out by the force of the love and grace of God through Christ upon my heart, through the means of the gospel.

This day was the first time that ever I joined in the solemn work of showing forth the Lord’s death, by partaking of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, which I did with joy and great comfort, and which drew many tears from my eyes. This was a sweet feast to me. To see so many walls of separation as I had set up between Christ and me, broken through by his efficacious grace, was indeed a very surprising thing.

James Durham’s communion sermon on Matthew 26:29

What did Jesus mean when he told the disciples at the first Lord’s Supper that he would yet drink of the fruit of the vine in his Father’s kingdom? Durham calls it ‘a very cheerful dismissal’. He says that it is an affirmation that believers will have a sweet communion in Christ’s Father’s kingdom in heaven. This communion will be greater than communion with the saints who will be there.

 

This future communion will have five qualities. First, it will be immediate, unlike the present where we have to use ordinances and ministers by faith in order to have communion with him. Second, it will include sharing in the glory of the Mediator. Third, it will be completely satisfying – ‘there shall not be an empty corner in the most capacious soul’. Fourth, it will be uninterrupted by a cross or by a sin or by a temptation. Fifth, it will be eternal – ‘Though through all eternity thousands and millions will be drinking of this new wine, yet it shall never be the less, but is and shall be still fresh and flowing.’

 

The reality of this should make us press after it. There is no reason for envying the worldly who are prosperous in material things because ‘your feast and royal robes are before you’. We should ‘care as little for their portion as they care for yours’. The ones who will have communion with him in heaven are the ones who have communion (not just the Lord’s Supper) with him on earth. Marks of such include identifying with Christ in troublous times, dealing with personal sins, and receiving Christ’s word and keeping it. 

 

Even as the disciples at the first Lord’s Supper soon experienced difficulties, so can we after a communion. Temptations may came from the devil, troubles may come in the church, the presence of Christ may be withdrawn from our souls, or death may occur. The fact is, in a few decades we will be in eternity, whatever our current age, so people must keep that in mind, especially if they are unconverted.

 

The words of Jesus should have told the disciples that they were not yet holy enough; that important though the occasion was, it would soon be over; that they should remember that they are dying creatures; and that they should be more heavenly-minded. So should we. ‘It is the token of a right communicant, and have a good hearer of the Word, when a person goes away from it more spiritually cheered and more heavenly-minded.’

 

The words of Jesus were designed for their spiritual refreshment: ‘There is nothing that can be more cheering and refreshing to the believer than the lively hope of a communion, and of a seat on the throne, in heaven with Christ; and it is the mark and character of a believer to have no lower design.’ Therefore, his words were also designed to inform the disciples not to place their happiness on anything this side of heaven.

 

Indeed, Durham urged all ‘to study to go from the communion, and from every sermon, having some serious thoughts of heaven, and longings for it, believing that the day, the joyful day is coming, when Christ and you will meet, and never shed or separate again; when you shall be with Him where He is,and be set with Him at his table and on His throne, never to rise off it any more again. Blessed be God that that desirable day is coming.’