On the form of communing: The Lord’s Table

There is often much ado about communion, particularly, how often to take the elements, what the practice is about, whether or not the practice is mere obedience to a command (ordinance), or whether grace is involved one way or another (sacrament), along with “who” can partake, what to partake, and the all time favorite discussion piece, how to partake.

Likewise, many before have observed that during the Second Temple period, the Passover ritual probably included more than one cup throughout the meal. In light of the last question above, while I’ve seen many different forms of communing, from taking the cracker individually when you feel like it, to proceeding forward and not touching the host with anything other than your tongue, I’ve yet to see the cup offered first to be divided amongst the people. Granted, at some level, any Church that has those little plastic not-quite shot glasses, someone at sometime has to divide the wine. But consider Luke’s account of the institution of what we now call the “Lord’s Supper:”

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it [2] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. [3] 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Notice that the cup is divided before the bread is broken. Notice too, that once the disciples partake of the bread and Jesus draws the attention to the cup that he refers back to the fact that it “is poured out.” In light of this phenomena, in congregations that actually break the bread before the people or break it corporately together, maybe the cup being divided should be done not behind doors prior to the service but as part of the communing process. Jesus seemed to think the imagery, symbolism (efficacy even?) of this part of the ritual was important.