WHY WOULD NON-LUTHERANS WANT TO PARTAKE OF OUR LUTHERAN EUCHARIST?

It has become increasingly common in Christian circles, even in Lutheran circles, to either partake of the Lord's Supper at churches that do not hold the same doctrine as those who partake, or even worse, many partake at churches that have a completely different view of the Supper than those who partake.


I'm not sure what the reason for this is. But even if we set aside the debate about unity in doctrine, at the very least......


***We should have the same understanding of the Lord's Supper/Eucharist and its purpose.***


Set aside the debate about whether complete unity in doctrine is necessary for a moment. Let's just look at the very *purpose* and *essence* of what the Lord's Supper *is*.


HAVE ONLY ONE EUCHARIST


Many of the Fathers of the Church discussed the importance of celebrating only *one* Eucharist. And this stands to reason, since Christ Himself only instituted one Eucharist.


One Eucharist.


This means that this one Eucharist should be understood the same way by those who partake of it. Otherwise, it makes no sense to celebrate it.


Christ tells us very clearly what the purpose of His Eucharist is:


"This is My Body, given for you for the forgiveness of sins."


"This is My Blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Drink of it, all of you."


ONE EUCHARIST, ONE CHURCH


Whoever partakes of this Eucharist, publicly confesses the view of the Eucharist that the celebrating Church declares.


What many people do not realize, however, is that they think there can be individual differences on the very essence or purpose of the Eucharist, while yet partaking of the same Eucharist.


How does this work at all?


Imagine a Roman Catholic and a Lutheran partaking of the same "Eucharist."


The Romanist believes that there is no bread or wine remaining, and that its purpose is to offer sacrifice for the sins of both the living and the dead.


The Lutheran rejects that completely.


Imagine a reformed Christian or an evangelical partaking with a Lutheran.


The reformed and the evangelicals either believe it is only bread and wine--or worse, grape juice--to simply "remember" or "ascend to heaven by faith spiritually." They would never say we receive forgiveness, life, and salvation at the Eucharist.


So, it makes no sense for Lutherans to partake of another Eucharist.


But on another note, it makes no sense for non-Lutherans to partake of our Eucharist.


THE BODY AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST GIVEN FOR FORGIVENESS, LIFE, AND SALVATION


So, it is not that we "keep people away" or "exclude" folks from our Table. The Table is ready. It is for those who believe Christ's Words of Institution.


Any who do not believe that the Supper is Christ Himself, given in our mouths for forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation--any who do not believe His Word here, have excluded themselves.


We do not exclude them.


They have excluded themselves.


The Table is ready.


Will you take Christ at His Word?