Communion 2010

The story is probably as old as boxing itself. A boxer is knocked down. The referee comes over to check for a possible concussion. He asks the fighter, “Do you know where you are?” “Yea, I’m flat on my back on the canvas getting the daylights beat out of me.”

Let me ask you, then: Where are you this morning?

First, you are in the house of the Lord. In our time the concept of reverence has greatly declined in use, particularly reverence for a particular place. We have lost the sense of sanctity that used to attach to church buildings. The main meeting place of a church used to be called the sanctuary, not the auditorium. Nevertheless, you are in the sanctuary – the geography set aside by the church to be used for holy purposes. This is the house of God.

Next, you are in the presence of the family of God. Many churches have the habit of calling each other brother or sister. You see, each of us has been adopted by God into his family. If you are a Christian, you are a child of God – and therefore you are with family today. Indeed, Christ himself tells us that he is preparing a new place for the family of God, where all the ills of this world will exist no more.

Finally, you are in the presence of Christ. He tells us that where two or more are gathered in his name, he is there also. This may be why we are called the body of Christ – for any living body must have its Spirit. Indeed, in the very elements of Communion Christ is said to be present: this is my body, this is my blood. We may not understand this, but we understand that it is true.

Some of you may have taken the question differently. You may have thought, “Where am I emotionally, spiritually, or in some other sense?” It does not matter. You need not be in perfect mind and body to come to the Lord’s Supper. Your hurts, wants, needs – and sins – are no barrier to him. Even if you are flat on your back on the canvas, you are in the right place. You are with Christ.