Q.
80 How
does the Lord's Supper differ from the Roman Catholic Mass? Q.
81
Who should come to the Lord's table? Q.
82
Should those be admitted to the Lord's Supper who show by what they
profess and how they live that they are unbelieving and ungodly?
DeYoung,
in The
Good News We Almost Forgot,
titles
this chapter “The Lord's Supper and the Mass: How Wide the Divide?”
He
points out that eating and drinking the Lord's Supper unworthily
shows contempt for the Lord's covenant risks bringing covenant curses
on God's covenant people. He also discusses Q. 80, whereas Meade
ignores it as it risks being controversial. Namely, the question
compares the Reformed and the Roman Catholic view of the Supper/Mass.
The Mass is a sacrifice (part of a continual sacrifice of Christ) and
borders on becoming an idolization of the bread/wine. DeYoung softens
the language that the catechism uses in regard to the Mass, yet still
calls it mistaken and suggests that the the adoration of the elements
of communion is offensive to God.
Monday:
The
Lord's Supper is a source of blessing for God's people – but only
for God's people. It has no power or magic in and of itself; but if
received in faith with a penitent heart the Supper brings comfort as
we spiritually participate in the blessings of Christ's sacrifice.
Psalm
139:23-24
Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns! See
if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the
reliable ancient path!
Tuesday:
The
Lord's Supper is a serious time – we remember the suffering and
death Christ endured for our sins. We confess our sins, repent and
acknowledge that we are still sinners. Yet we are joyous at the great
deliverance we have through Christ's work. We come to the Table
trusting that our sins are forgiven and that our remaining weakness
has been covered.
1
Timothy 1:13-16
even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an
arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly
in unbelief, and our Lordʼs grace was abundant, bringing faith and
love in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full
acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” -
and I am the worst of them! But here is why I was treated with mercy:
so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost
patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for
eternal life.
Wednesday:
Those
who come to the Lord's Supper must be God's people, displeased with
their sin, yet trust that it is pardoned through Christ's sacrifice.
We must desire to strengthen our faith and turn from sin – as we
take the elements of the Supper we know that we are forgiven and our
thankfulness gives us a new hunger to live for Christ.
Ephesians
4:30-5:2
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. You must put away every kind of bitterness,
anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. Instead, be kind
to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in
Christ also forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly
loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and
gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
Thursday:
The
Lord's Supper is solemn and serious – those who are unrepentant,
unbelievers or hypocrites should not partake since “eat and drink
judgment to themselves.” As the preaching of the Word judges, being
a sweet savor to those who believe and a savor of death to those who
reject it, the Supper similarly judges between those who receive it
seriously and those who do not.
1
Corinthians 11:27-30
For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord. A person should examine himself first, and in this way let him
eat the bread and drink of the cup. For the one who eats and drinks
without careful regard for the body eats and drinks judgment against
himself. That is why many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few
are dead.
Friday:
God
is holy. Yet he welcomes those who come to him trusting in his
gracious promise of forgiveness through the work of Jesus Christ.
They need to admit that they need a Savior and desire to amend their
lives. These are the people that God welcomes to his Supper.
Psalm
50:14-17
Present to God a thank-offering! Repay your vows to the sovereign
One! Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you
will honor me!” God says this to the evildoer: “How can you
declare my commands, and talk about my covenant? For you hate
instruction and reject my words.
Saturday:
Paul
wrote to the church in Corinth warning that God judges people who
come to the Lord's Table without repenting. Elders and pastors must
offer the Lord's Supper to people who which to turn from their sins
and live for God, but they must warn unbelievers or any who wish to
continue sinning. Their warning not is not only to protect the
individual from God's judgment, but also to keep the church from
sinning.
1
Corinthians 10:21-22
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You
cannot take part in the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or
are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we really stronger
than he is?
