The Lord's Table

In some Christian circles, “communion” is more commonly referred to as “the Lord’s table.” This latter expression, I think, can be quite useful in helping us to better understand a number of very important Scriptural principles and their necessary applications. The reason for this is that we all know what a table is, we all have had dinner around a table, but we are not as familiar with the definition for communion. How many times in the past week or the past month or the past year have you used the word “communion” in your everyday conversation? And of those times, how many times did you use the word in reference to something other than a periodic church ritual where people partake of a pinch of bread and an ounce or so of some grape beverage?

Sadly, however, the nature of the Lord’s table even may be less understood than it was fifty-plus years ago since families seem less likely to have frequent meals together in the dining room in the absence of a distracting television. Interestingly, we do see more and more consistency between our current culture’s approach to meals with family around their table and our current church’s approach to meals with the Lord’s family around his table. How often do the individual family members just grab a bite or two whenever they can and take it with them to their bedroom, downstairs in the den, in the car, or next to the computer? And how often do you hear it promoted from the pulpit for each individual to worship “as each one chooses”? How often have you been concerned about those who call themselves believers but are not faithful to attend church? Have you ever observed a lack of ... connectedness, comradeship, or perhaps a better word would be … communion among believers in a local church?

So as we begin our discourse about the nature and efficacy of the Lord’s table, you may need to use your imagination when comparing it to your own table. Better yet, may I provoke you “unto love and to good works,” – specifically, in this case, the good work of regularly eating with your family around the dining table in your home – and “not forsaking the assembling of [yourselves] together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25).