This past week I had the privilege of leading a sacred event I've participated in and helped with many times over the years, but never led. I administered the Lord's Supper to a Bible study group in a home. I've done weddings, funerals, baby dedications, wedding vow renewals, and hundreds of baptisms, but this was a new first for me.
The mother of a young marine killed in Iraq 2 years ago, whose family attends Hebron and I've grown close to, asked if I'd conduct this for their women's study group, as part of a commissioning for a group member traveling to India on a mission trip. I said I'd be honored.
There were about 15 ladies, all seated in the living room. I shared some words from Charles Spurgeon about the sacredness of the Communion, then read the Last Supper account in Matthew 26:26-30. I led it very traditionally- we had a loaf of Jewish challa bread which I broke, prayed over, then brought around to each lady there, who broke off a piece. Then I prayed over a chalice of grape juice, and brought it around as well, with each one dipping their bread in it. We then ate the bread/juice, and spent time in quiet prayer, while Rich Mullin's song, "Peace" played low. We next brought up the lady going on the mission trip, knelt and laid hands on her, and committed her life & work to God. We closed with a hymn, just like Jesus' followers did. We then shared lunch together, which was delicious.
It was a great honor to guide this special event, and we surely felt the presence of God's Spirit there. It really reminded me of how intimate the first Supper was with our Lord & His disciples, and how this not only commemorates the death of Christ for our sins, it also was meant to bind our hearts to each other as His beloved children. I think that is often missed today, in our big, efficient ways of doing things in our churches. We inadvertently diminish the sacredness of moments like this, when we should be sharing them together from the heart, and savoring the time together with our Lord.
Rich once wrote, "I don't know which is more beautiful- the calling of the ancient stars, or the assembling of the saints."