In recent years, there’s been a growing trend in some Christian circles to transform the Lord’s Supper from a solemn remembrance of Christ’s death into some “joyous celebration” of His resurrection.
Everything has to be about “joy” or “positive emotional experiences” these days.
While the desire for positive religious experiences is understandable, this shift fundamentally misunderstands the purpose and significance of this somber act of worship that Christ instituted on the very night He was betrayed.
The act is somber, serious and sorrowful because it is a moment we are told to concentrate on the suffering of Christ.
Focusing on Christ’s suffering and death during the Lord’s Supper is not only appropriate but essential to the meaning and purpose of the act of worship that is the Lord’s supper.
The Human Tendency Towards Comfort in Religion
The Desire for Positive Emotions
Human nature often gravitates towards comfort and positivity, even in religious practices. This has created endless problems in religion.
This is because people will inevitably choose to elevate their own emotions and experiences above the commands of God.
This all-too-human tendency can lead to:
- Avoiding difficult or uncomfortable aspects of faith
- Emphasizing feel-good messages over difficult truths
- Reinterpreting solemn observances as celebratory events
As you know, each of these philosophical errors are frequently made in liberal churches and mega churches.
The emotions become the object of worship instead of God.
Personal comfort and positive emotional experience becomes the goal of worship.
Each of these lead directly to a perversion of the acts of worship, as we will see has happened with the Lord’s Supper.
The Danger of Emotional Comfort in Faith
While positive emotions have their place in religious life, an overemphasis on comfort frequently does the following:
- Dilutes the depth of spiritual experiences
- Glosses over important and difficult aspects of faith
- Leads to a shallow understanding of religious practices
And this is where most religious groups are today.
The significance of acts of worship is forgotten.
The seemingly “negative” aspects of the biblical narrative or faith are ignored and buried because they would put a damper on the emotional experience that most people search for in religion.
The Lord’s Supper: Its True Purpose and Meaning
Christ’s Clear Instructions
When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, His words were specific and focused:
“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)
These statements clearly point to His impending death, not His future resurrection.
As modern religionists attempt to shift the focus of the Lord’s Supper from His death to His resurrection, they do so without biblical support.
The only reason for doing this is to avoid the negative, sad part of the story (the death of Christ) and quickly run over to the happy parts of the story (the resurrection of Christ).
It’s a philisophical error reflecting the immaturity of this position.
Apostolic Understanding
The Apostle Paul reinforces this focus in 1 Corinthians 11:26:
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Paul explicitly states that the purpose is to proclaim Christ’s death, not celebrate His resurrection.
The inspired instructions from Paul and the example of what Christ did on the night of His betrayal are the only information we have about how the Lord supper is to be conducted and what is to be focused on.
Therefore, to go outside these instructions is to modify the Bible, add to the words of the Bible or outright ignore the teachings of scripture on this topic of communion.
Why Focusing on the Resurrection During the Lord’s Supper is Inappropriate
1. It Contradicts Christ’s Direct Command
Jesus specifically instructed His followers to remember His death.
Shifting the focus to the resurrection goes against His direct instructions.
Who wants to be guilty of ignoring the explicit commands of Christ?
2. It Diminishes the Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
By emphasizing the joyous outcome (resurrection) over the painful process (crucifixion), we risk minimizing the cost of our salvation.
This is not something we want to be guilty of.
Even Paul indicates that if we concentrate inappropriately during the Lord’s supper, we are guilty of the body and blood of Christ.
The most disciplined we can be with the Lord’s Supper is the best guarantee of proper worship because it is the approach that follows the Bible the closest.
3. It Misses the Point of Self-Examination
Paul warns against taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
This self-examination is directly tied to recognizing the gravity of Christ’s death for our sins.
That is the “self-examination” that is referenced within the immediate context of the scripture is related to proclaiming the death of Christ.
4. It Disrupts the Historical and Theological Continuity
Though a lesser point, the Lord’s Supper is connected to the Passover, which was an event to remember deliverance through sacrifice.
Focusing on the resurrection breaks this important link.
The Importance of Remembering Christ’s Suffering and Death
1. It Reminds Us of the Cost of Sin
Focusing on Christ’s suffering and death during the Lord’s Supper:
- Emphasizes the seriousness of sin
- Emphasizes the price paid for our redemption
These are not happy things to think about. But they are what we are required to think about each first day of the week.
The biblical narrative clearly lays out the fact that our focus during this act of worship is on the death of Christ – An act that was required to pay the price of sin.
That’s not joyous.
2. It Deepens Our Gratitude
Remembering Christ’s sacrifice:
- Shifts our mind to a profound sense of thankfulness
- Creates a somber humility in the face of undeserved grace
These mental states are only accessible when we concentrate on the cost of our salvation.
Without concentrating on what’s difficult, we default to chasing happy feelings at the expense of true worship.
3. It Strengthens Our Resolve Against Sin
Reflecting on the suffering Christ endured:
- Motivates us to live in a manner worthy of His sacrifice
- Helps us resist temptation by recalling its cost
When we concentrate on the death of Christ, it reignites our motivation to resist sin. It creates a hatred and disgust towards the sin that required His death on the cross.
4. It Unites Believers in a Shared Experience
Focusing on Christ’s death:
- Creates a solemn, shared experience among believers
- Reinforces our common need for salvation
Addressing Common Arguments for “Celebrating” the Resurrection During the Lord’s Supper
Argument 1: “The Resurrection is the Happy Ending“
While the resurrection is indeed vital to Christian faith, the Lord’s Supper is specifically about remembering Christ’s death.
There are other times and ways to celebrate the resurrection. The Lord’s supper is not authorized as being one of those moments.
We have the remainder of each week to be joyous and happy bout the benefits of Christianity.
In the moment of the Lord’s super, we are asked to remember Christ’s death.
Argument 2: “We Should Focus on Victory, Not Defeat“
Christ’s death was not a defeat but a necessary sacrifice.
Focusing on it doesn’t negate the victory but acknowledges its cost – something many are unwilling to do because it makes them feel bad.
Argument 3: “Positive Emotions Draw People to Faith”
While positive emotions can have their place, Bible-Based faith must wrestle with difficult truths.
The Lord’s Supper provides this important opportunity.
Christians are not made stronger by shirking away from negative emotions and difficult topics – this makes them weaker.
Instead we should press head-on into discomfort to allows for an uncovering of the truth.
Practical Ways to Maintain the Proper Focus During the Lord’s Supper
- Read relevant Scripture: Focus on passages that describe Christ’s suffering and death.
- Use appropriate hymns or songs: Choose hymns that reflect on Christ’s sacrifice rather than triumphant resurrection themes.
- Encourage moments of silence: Allow time for personal reflection on Christ’s death.
- Provide guided meditation: Offer prompts that direct thoughts towards Christ’s suffering and its meaning.
- Educate the congregation: Regularly teach about the purpose and significance of the Lord’s Supper.
Conclusion
The desire for positive religious experiences is natural, but it’s far more important to maintain the integrity and purpose of sacred observances like the Lord’s Supper.
We focus on Christ’s suffering and death, and in so doing we honor His explicit instructions, deepen our understanding of salvation’s cost, and engage in meaningful self-examination.
This approach doesn’t negate the joy of the resurrection but recognizes that there is a time and place for different aspects of our faith.
The Lord’s Supper is a solemn reminder of the sacrifice that made our salvation possible, calling us to gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to Christ.
