The Memorial Service (as the communion or breaking of bread is generally known among Caribbean ecclesias) is like the sun in the midst of the universe. There is no life without it. It is a commandment, not an option. This service should draw us together regardless of language, culture or race.
No ecclesia that is separated in spirit – through erroneous doctrine, divisiveness, schism, faction, spite, selfishness, pride, pharisaism, slackness, or whatever — can really partake of the body and blood of the Lord. Jesus is the way and the truth. When everything is centered on him, all troubles, misunderstandings, strife, sedition, bicke rings, will flee away. The memorial service is compared to the Jewish Passover; only those inside the house are saved (Exo. 12:48).
The memorial service is a time and a place for reconciliation, a time of praise and true worship of our heavenly Father. It is there above all that we remember that our Saviour reconciled us all to our God. What place is there for pride, for exalting of one’s own (non-existent) purity as if it was not our Lord who saves? (Rom. 3:27). Are we not there to remember the greatest love ever shown – a man who laid down his life for sinners, his friends? However can we afford to miss this precious “tryst” with Christ, as our hymn 180 describes the breaking of bread? How dare we deny it to other believers’?
Beware denying others
Sadly, there are some in our Caribbean ecclesias – even some who preside at the Lord’s table – who seem to be more concerned to keep his sheep away than to distribute his grace among all who need it.
Baptism into Christ gives the believer the wonderful privilege of sharing – that is, fellow shipping – his body and blood (John 6:54,63). This is a blessing which no man can lightly take away. For we all have a desperate need for fellowship and communion, a need to renew our vows frequently. We are at the Lord’s table to be renewed and restored ourselves, not as watchdogs for others. There is a place and a time for dealing with others’ faults (Gal. 6:1). It is not at the Table of the Lord. We are there to meet the Lord. Our brothers and sisters are there for his scrutiny, not ours. Never forget: we go not to display our deeds, or proclaim our state of righteousness, but to rejoice in and share the tokens of forgiveness.
The whole notion of arrogance and fault-finding vanishes at the Lord’s table. If we come into the presence of God with hatred, malice, and envy, we crucify the Son of God afresh. We fail to discern the Lord’s body. We eat and drink to our damnation. For the body of Christ is there on the benches beside us, before us, behind us. How dare we pick and choose who among Christ’s little ones we will deign to meet with? How come we share the same name, the same truth, the same blessings, the same salvation, the same grace, the same forgiveness — but not the same table?
Providing for all members
Every ecclesia must make provision for brethren and sisters who are unable to attend the memorial service and share in this fellowship because of illness, age or isolation. This is not an option. It is a requirement. And we should always remember these less fortunate ones in our prayers.
The memorial service helps the believer, transforms his character, helps him to examine himself more profoundly. There is unspeakable joy in the heart of the forgiven sinner as he partakes of the symbols of the body and blood of his Lord and Saviour. Caribbean Christadelphians for a hundred years and more have known no greater joy than to meet together in unity, unmarred by divisions or bitterness. I have seen, at this solemn moment, tears of joy and thankfulness trickle down a saint’s face as he or she gains the strength to face the terrible hardships in the world outside.
David, always thrilled by communion with his God, said: “In thy presence is fulness ofjoy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” The quiet joy of those lovely moments at his table sustains us in days of sadness. Christ is ours and we are his. Our hearts are full of praise and penitence before our Maker. “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One