God Deals With Us

Observing the Lord’s Supper on a weekly basis makes it a central event in our lives. As we have said a number of times, God deals with us here, and He deals with us according to His Word, and not according to ours.

If we are struggling against His work in us here, the temptation is to go in one of two directions. The first is the typically modern Protestant temptation, which is to get the Lord’s Supper away from the center. This is done through infrequent observance, and a corresponding doctrinal minimization of its significance.

The other temptation has been to keep the Lord’s Supper at the center, but to corrupt it there, making it into an idolatrous center.

At the time of the Reformation, it was far different, and this is what we are seeking to do here. What happens when the Word attends the Supper faithfully, and the Supper is faithfully observed often? The answer is that it creates a stir because those who do not want God to deal with His people are forced to do something to disrupt what is happening.

When Jesus began to “deal” with the Samaritan woman by telling her that she had had five husbands and was currently occupied with a sixth who was not her husband, she suddenly developed an interest in theological and liturgical questions, and wanted to talk about the best place to worship. In short, she wanted to change the subject. This is nothing but distraction, and Jesus did not allow Himself to be distracted.

It should be the same with us. Do not pay any attention to anything that takes you away from this—Word and sacrament, faithful and loving observance, and quiet, thankful rest in the goodness of God.

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.