While the Lord’s Supper quickly brings to our remembrance the life and death of the Lord Jesus, we should insist on maintaining a robustly trinitarian understanding of the Supper. This means, in part, that we must not overlook the import of the Holy Spirit’s role in the Supper.
In 21st Century Christianity, many have come to think of the Spirit in terms of emotional energy, a spark of divine inspiration, a comforting feeling, an inclination to some activity. Oftentimes, when someone says they feel the Spirit is leading them to do something, it generally is something they sorta already wanted to do.
But if we look at Scripture, as well as at the understanding of the Spirit in the early church, we see something different. The Spirit was understood not as a force of emotional energy, but a force of moral energy. The Spirit works in you both to will and to do (Phil 2:13). The Spirit produces moral virtues and the strength to be virtuous. He granted Bezalel and Oholiab wisdom and cunning artistry to construct the tabernacle. He equipped prophets & apostles to work the works of God & speak the Words of God.
As you partake of Christ in the Supper, don’t forget that what is signified here is that you both dwell in Christ and He dwells in you by His Spirit. The Father gives you Christ, and thus you know that your sins are forgiven and eternal life is your inheritance. But that isn’t all. Christ promised to send the Comforter, the Paraclete (which means advocate & counselor), to lead us in all truth. So, by the Spirit, this meal is like hearty vittles, strengthening you for the hard work which lies before you. So be fortified by the Father, by the Son, and by the Spirit.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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