“Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
Dear church family,
Christians are people who are in union with Jesus Christ. The believer senses this union in several ways. When groaning with petitions too deep for words, passing through the shadow of personal grief, or meditating on a portion of the sacred writings, the believer knows what it is to be in relationship with Christ. This sacred union with Christ proves most tender in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. There, at the Lord’s Table, the believer experiences the joy of friendship with an enfleshed and risen Savior.
The question for you, as you prepare for the Lord’s Supper this coming Sabbath, is refreshingly simple. Do you know him? Are you in “fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”? Have you come to him, deeply aware of personal sin? Has your awareness of personal transgression left you longing for a personal Savior? All who are in saving union with Christ have felt the sting of conviction by the Law. Have you beheld Jesus as a crucified Redeemer, stricken by the hand of God’s justice, laying his life in the dust of death, and all so that you might be pardoned and cleansed? Table communion with Jesus involves believing that he is the sole Mediator between God and men. Have you trusted him as the Lamb slain for the sins of his people? Do you listen to him as the great Prophet of the Church? The Christian knows the Son. He has called, you have answered. He extended his hand, and you grasped it. He is yours. You are his. Just as with any strong friendship, he draws out the best in you. His words, his demeanor, his mind, his zeal, his love, they all inspire you to a brighter purity of heart. You strain for greater heights of holiness. You yearn for warmer affections.
Our Presbyterian fathers, though they observed Communion with less frequency (usually 2-4 times per year), placed great emphasis on this spiritual preparation for the Lord’s Supper. When a congregation prepares in this way, what a harvest is reaped! O, that our fire might be kindled! That our affections would be drawn out, our love burn a little stronger, our souls glow a little warmer, whenever we gather at the Lord’s Table! Our enjoyment of this table fellowship will only be as strong and deep as our spiritual preparation. May our fellowship during this season be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 Dear church family, These words breathe the petition of a new-born soul. They form the hushed utterance of the believer before the Lord’s Table. How do we...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1) The day prior to the Lord’s Supper is a time for looking unto Jesus. Having spent time in confession on...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“…from me comes your fruit.” Hosea 14:8 To the saints: The prophet Hosea was among the first of the writing prophets. He preached during the period leading up to the fall of Israel in 722 BC. His task was to expose sin and deliver the judgments...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed!” Lamentations 4:1 Dear saints, Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. It was Jeremiah who said, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Saturday Communion Preparation—morning “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Colossians 1:19 As we approach the Lord’s Table tomorrow, it is only right that we turn our thoughts and affections to Him. The Scottish Communion...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Friday Communion Preparation—Evening “the love that you have for all the saints” Colossians 1:4 The traditional Scottish Communion Season stretches over 4-5 days, usually Thursday through Monday, with Monday being a day of thanksgiving....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Friday—Spiritual Examination “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus” Colossians 1:4 On the Thursday before Communion, we spend time in confession of sin. As we move into Friday, we begin to examine the fruits God has worked in us. This...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Spiritual Preparation: Thursday evening before communion "Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations." Ezekiel 36:31 On this day of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Dear Redeemer family, In preparing for our communion this Lord’s Day, I have been thoroughly challenged and stirred by the study of the traditional Scottish Communion Season. Since the Reformation, our brethren in the Scottish Highlands have...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
