By David Faust
Like route, our term routine comes from the French word for “a beaten path.” A routine is a well-worn path, the usual route we take—our customary way of doing things, like drinking a morning cup of coffee. It’s good if our daily routine includes prayer and Bible reading, but Jesus warned not to pray with “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7, King James Version). How can we do something frequently without taking it for granted? How can we keep the beaten path from becoming a rut?
Throughout history, Christ’s followers have placed high value on the Lord’s Supper. Whatever else takes place in our weekly worship gatherings—no matter what the sermon is about or what songs we sing—the bread and the cup focus attention on the central facts of our faith: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The church’s Head said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” so Communion should never be relegated to a place of unimportance in our assemblies, nor should it be done mechanically and carelessly.
In this sacred feast, we look backward and remember Jesus, look upward and give thanks, look inward and examine ourselves, look outward and acknowledge God’s family of believers, and look forward to the Lord’s return.
How can we keep from turning the Lord’s Supper into an empty routine? I asked a few Christian friends that question, and their responses (below) were insightful.
Thank God
- “Communion is the high point of the service—a ‘garden moment’ to spend with the Lord. The person I love most asked that I remember him this way.”
- “Every time I sit down for a regular meal, I say a short prayer of thanks before I eat. When I take Communion, I thank God for providing salvation.”
- “During Communion I think about the Trinity and praise the Father who is for us, the Son who is with us, and the Holy Spirit who is in us.”
Examine Ourselves
- “Communion provides quiet space to connect with the Lord. I need that!”
- “I reflect on the past week and think about how God’s grace helped me make it to another Sunday.”
- “It’s a time for introspection. I think about things in my life the Lord might want to change.”
Ponder the Big Picture
- “God’s people have been doing this for 2,000 years. I picture myself celebrating Communion in unity with Christians all over the world who serve the same Lord.”
- “Even though we’re all from different backgrounds and walks of life, the Holy Spirit brings us together as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.”
Prepare to Participate
- “I think about Bible verses I have read during the week. Without food, we become weak and cranky, and we do not function well. But food tastes better when there is variety and seasoning is applied. A regular diet of God’s Word provides the variety and seasoning to keep our Communion time fresh.”
- “It helps when the worship leader reads a short Scripture and offers a few well-planned remarks (focused on one simple thought) to prepare us for the Supper.”
Communion is a well-worn path—a route leading back to the cross. Another friend summed up his approach to the Lord’s Supper by saying, “I focus on what Jesus did, as opposed to what I’m doing. There’s nothing routine about what Jesus did for me.”
Personal Challenge: Do you participate in Communion regularly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly? What steps could you take to better prepare yourself for the Lord’s Supper?
Thank you, Dr. Faust! What a great reminder. Thank God for that well-worn path.