If Jesus Christ is the hope of the
world, we who are Christians face the question, how can we most effectively
proclaim Christ crucified in our culture?
One answer to this question is found in Paul’s words to the Corinthian Christians
in 1 Cor 11:23-26, in which he reviews the words of institution by the Lord at
the last Supper. He concludes his review
by saying, “as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord’s death until he comes.” By faithfully observing the Lord’s Supper we
proclaim the Lord’s death.
Suppose, however, that we lived in
a country that was closed to the gospel and church assemblies were not
allowed? What could we do? Here is what one church did, as told in a
recent issue of Christian Standard (Dick
Wamsley, March 2018).
“TCM (Taking Christ to Millions) is
an international training institute in Austria, where theological graduate
students from countries in eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and central
Asia converge for concentrated study to help them reach their people for
Christ. One student at the institute
describes how the church he serves in one of those closed countries observes
the Lord’s Supper each week.
The adults meet at an appointed
time each week at a restaurant for a meal.
They may sit at several different tables, but the predetermined leader
situates himself so everyone in the group can see him.
After everyone has finished the
meal, the leader picks up a piece of bread and bows his head in silent
prayer. Everyone knows what he’s doing,
though nothing is said. When he lifts
his head, he eats the piece of bread.
Others at the various tables follow his lead. Then he bows again in silent prayer. Again, he lifts his head and picks up a glass
of wine, water, or whatever else he has, and he drinks. Others follow in like manner.
No words are spoken. No one acknowledges what they have just
done. But everyone at the tables knows
they have just “proclaimed the Lord’s death.”
In fact, it’s the very reason they gather in a public place to observe
the Lord’s Supper – to proclaim Jesus’ death even at the risk of being
discovered.
The student’s story draws us into
the profound sacredness of the Lord’s Supper: that we proclaim our Lord Jesus’
death with other Christians around the world, some of them at risk of their own
lives.”
With this in mind, we come to the table,
whether in a church sanctuary or a public restaurant, and proclaim the Lord’s
death.
