Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. He calls you by name and loves you unconditionally. However, to call Jesus only our personal friend limits our understanding of the fully human and fully divine Christ. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, our Messiah, Savior, and King. Jesus Christ is head of the church, the body of Christ, so the Christian faith is a communal faith. We can have a personal relationship with God through Christ, but we are also called to relationship with other Christians through the church. Christianity is not a “me and Jesus” faith. Jesus is so much more than just our personal friend. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Crosses are everywhere. They hang in churches, circle our neck as jewelry, and display on walls in homes. They can be made of wood, clay, broken glass, silver, gold, nails, or a variety of other materials. Sometimes, you see a man, presumably Jesus, hanging on the cross, but you won’t see that in a Reformed church. The crucifixion and the resurrection are inextricably linked together. We worship a crucified AND risen Christ, the one who defeated sin and death. The gospel writers include several stories of people’s encounters with the risen Christ. “Christian faith is faith in the risen Christ.”[[1] Jesus is no longer on the cross. He is risen! Alleluia! Thanks be to God.

[1] Guthrie, Shirley C. Christian Doctrine, Revised Edition. Westminster John Knox Press. Louisville, KY: 1994. Pg. 272.

Paul tells us in First Corinthians 11: 23b-26 that, “the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” The Reformed Church teaches that these elements are the sign and seal of our covenantal relationship with the crucified and risen Christ, rather than the actual, physical body and blood of Christ. These symbols of God’s love and grace remind us of God’s call to live lives of discipleship. “Through the Lord’s Supper, Jesus Christ nourishes us in righteousness, faithfulness, and discipleship. Through the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Spirit renews the Church in its identity and sends the Church to mission in the world.”[1] We don’t have to understand exactly how it happens to participate in this sacrament. The table is set; the invitation is given to come with a faithful and repentant heart to receive God’s gift of grace.

[1] Book of Order, 2019-2023. Office of General Assembly. Louisville, KY: 2019. W-3.0409.

In the Old Testament, the people of God sacrificed animals on an altar to atone for their sins. When Jesus Christ came to live on earth, was crucified, and raised from the dead by God, there was no further need for sacrificing animals to God. The writer of Hebrews 10:14-18 says:

For by a single offering he (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them
 after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
 and I will write them on their minds,”

 [Jesus] also adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, in a Reformed church, we have a table for the Lord’s Supper, communion, not an altar for sin sacrifices. We come as repentant people, invited by Christ to join him at the table of grace.