The predominant emotion that should be present as we partake of the Lord’s Supper should be gratitude and thanksgiving. One of the ancient names for this meal is that of the Eucharist. This comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving, eucharisto. In fact, if our holiday of Thanksgiving were to be given a Greek name, it would be called the Eucharist.
It is therefore tragic that so many Christians have turned this time of worship and communion into an opportunity for self-flagellation and morbid introspection. The Bible does teach us to examine ourselves, but we are to do so with a right standard, and in decent proportions. If you spend all your time grubbing around in your own sinfulness, the one thing you may be assured of is that you will not deal effectively with any real sins in your life. This attitude of ingratitude, especially at the Supper, is one of the things that perpetuates a life without joy, a life of morbidity, a life of disobedience.
Disobedience is not sanctified by having a gloomy countenance. A long face is not a moral disinfectant. If you have sinned, confess it before you get here, and make restitution. If you have sinfully put this off, then confess your sins in our time of confession at the beginning of the service. But when you come to this Table, do not forget you have been washed up for dinner. Come with grateful and overflowing hearts.