While the idea of men walking between the two halves of a sacrificial animal as a means of 
ratifying a covenant may seem strange to our modern mindset, this is exactly what is being pictured when Yahweh “cut” a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15:18. Covenants in the world of the Old Testament were often accompanied by the ritual of a shared meal between the parties (e.g. Gen. 26: 28-30). And the three major festivals of the people of God in the Old Testament (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles) are, well, also known as feasts for a reason! Fellowship meals are used to commemorate, celebrate, and express thankfulness. I think its pretty much a universal human thing to want to get together with friends and family, share a good meal together, and enjoy each others company – it’s how we celebrate. For a disillusioned Solomon near the end of his life, it may be the best we can expect in this life of “vanity” (Eccl. 2:24, 8:15). My point is this: that there is a long, proud history of covenant memorial meals throughout the Old Testament.
And it continues in the New Testament! The most important of the feasts under the Old Covenant, Passover, is the source and background for the New Covenant ordinance of Communion (just as Baptism in the NT parallels circumcision as a rite of “initiation” – entrance into membership with the covenant community). When Jesus ate the last supper with His disciples instituting it as a rite of remembrance, it was a Passover meal! And “time would fail me to tell of” (cheesy reference to Heb. 11:32) the banqueting theme in the gospels (see esp. Mark & Luke). John pictures our eschatological hope with the image of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19). And finally Jesus Himself stands at the door and knocks, that he might come in and have fellowship with us in a long leisurely meal shared together (see Leon Morris, TNTC Commentary on Rev. 3:20). I guess that Table Fellowship is pretty important in the Bible!
So here’s my issue! Why (in the modern NT church) have we separated The Lord’s Supper from its context as a covenant memorial meal? Why have we made it into a religious ritual snack? For convenience? For logistical reasons? Because its too messy or too hard? Because we don’t have time to sit and enjoy a long, slow fellowship meal together? Isn’t that missing the point! Look, I understand that Jesus instituted this ordinance for the church “in remembrance of Him” but let’s not forget that another important element of communion is fellowship (koinonia – “a sharing together in common”). Isn’t that exactly what Paul is correcting the church at Corinth for (1 Cor. 11:17-34). Their fellowship at the Lord’s Table had been shattered! Isn’t that exactly what the context tells us why a person should “examine himself” in preparation to “eat of the bread and drink of the cup” – we are “unworthy” when we fail to “discern” our own broken fellowship with “the body” of Christ, His people – the ekklesia! Or do we just refuse to learn the principles that God has given us in Paul’s Letter and implement “Lessons Learned” from Corinth in our own churches! Or is it just too impractical to follow scripture on this?!?
So yes, I’m advocating that we bring back the covenant memorial meal in the New Testament church today – the Agape Feast!
Lest I be the king of the Debbie Downers here, let me make a few practical suggestions to address the logistics Elephant in the Room! Consider a monthly or quarterly Agape Feast (yes celebrate the Lord’s Supper as part of a full meal) as part of, or in place of your weekly corporate assembly. Or better yet make this Christ centered fellowship meal a part of your weekly small groups and when someone asks you why you don’t celebrate the Eucharist in your church point them toward the Info Table with the Home Fellowship flyers. Then when they come back and say: “No, I mean why don’t we celebrate the Lord’s Supper in real church!” – I suggest you give them a hearty lecture on ecclesiology, what it means to be the church “wherever two or three are gathered in His name,” a greek word study on ekklesia, and a general education on God’s people assembled as compared to a “church” building!
Oh. Oh my. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness, Brad!
I love this. I love it because I agree so much with what you are calling for us to implement, or at least to consider doing things a bit different.
Couple thoughts:
(1) I am also not a fan of the little cup and small piece of cardboard, though I also believe that Christ shows up and is present in those gatherings which celebrate him and remember his death. I like the idea of using something bigger and, I think, more meaningful because I think it helps paint the picture for what we’re trying to do here too.
(2) I like the idea of weekly observance. That’s what we try and do in the congregation we serve though we do it in a variety of creative ways. I think this is an important part of worship and also has a LOT to do with our mission, message, etc.
(3) I like the idea of having MEALS together and see that as a viable and healthy option.
(4) I think there is some diversity in how the Eucharist can and should be celebrated too… meaning I’m not sure it was or even should be only about having meals together.
(5) I have a lot more to think about no this.
I love this. Thanks so much. Very stimulating.
Thanks Luke. I tend to lean toward Calvin and the “real” or “spiritual” presence of Christ in the ordinance. And sometimes I wonder if the reason we’re in this situation in the church today is because so many have taken up a Zwinglian position that “it’s just a symbol!” But then the skeptic in me rises up and I kinda doubt that our current methodologies of practicing the Lord’s Supper are the result of that depth of theological reflection. I wonder if its more “practical” concerns, logistics, or its just too hard. Perhaps someone out there can help me see this in a more positive light.
And, oh yeah, what is up with those little styrofoam wafers? They do melt nicely in your mouth though… : )
Excellent!!!! Amen brother Brad!
https://waterfallmagazine.com
Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the
same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions from
other experienced people that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!
Brad, nice work! There are points to think about and discuss it. The discussion can be more broader and more detailed, if you repost your article on facebook and add followers from https://soclikes.com/ . Then more people will be involved in debate.