Beware of Legalism

Today’s Scripture reading focuses on the Lord’s Supper, a symbolic remembrance of Christ. The devotional points out something I’d not given thought to before — just as the Jewish Passover symbolically portrayed the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the Lord’s Supper symbolically reminds Christians of our salvation and redemption accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just before His death, the Lord told the disciples to make ready, “And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.” (Matthew 26:19–20)

Later as they met together:

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’” (Matthew 26:26–29)

Much later, Paul wrote again of this remembrance. His words are often repeated in many congregations as they gather around the Lord’s Table. There are no rules given about this observance except that it is for those who believe in Christ (who “discern the Lord’s body), that we do it often, and that we realize its significance:

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

The devotional writer says the elements “must be” unleavened bread and wine because the bread represents Jesus’ spotless humanity and the wine was crushed just as Jesus was crushed in death. However, many of today’s congregations do not adhere to those ‘rules’ because they want everyone who follows Christ to participate. Some Christians have been redeemed from a background of alcoholism. For a few (not all), drinking wine could tip them into a sinful binge.

Also, even unleavened bread in our world is usually made with wheat flour, and those who suffer from celiac disease cannot have so much as a small piece of it. One woman I know says even a tiny taste of gluten will put her in the hospital and could be fatal. Our church accommodates this problem by using gluten-free bread.

The point is that symbolism is wonderful, but if too much focus is put on the symbols, the message they bring becomes lost, or in some cases, confusing, even legalistic. The Lord’s Table separates Christians from those who do not believe, but was never intended to separate Christians from one another. That is, Jesus didn’t intend that believers who cannot eat wheat flour, or who cannot have any real wine, be excluded from this ordinance. What would that say to them? Or to the rest of us?

As it is, I often struggle with giving Christians a rating system. My sinfulness puts up some and puts down others basted on their behavior, appearance, mannerisms, clothing, and so on. I know that is totally silly, never mind completely unlike God. I don’t need any rules or excuses that encourage me to categorize my brothers and sisters. If some cannot participate in the Lord’s supper because of a need to get right with God or with others, that is one thing, but quite another to leave them out because they are not free to drink alcohol or consume the same bread as most of us can eat. This might not be a big deal for many, but it is for those who could not participate.

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Jesus, You said, “Whosoever will may come.” You told the disciples to let the children come to You, and also spent time with those who the religious people called “sinners.” You invite the ‘best’ and the worst of us to share Your life and share around the table in this special way of remembering You. May we never exclude anyone because they ‘can’t do it right’ or because our ‘rules’ keep them away.