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Preparing for the Lord's Supper with Humility and Reverence

The preparation for receiving the Lord's Supper is a topic on which Christian traditions hold diverse views, particularly concerning the nature and necessity of specific preparatory actions and attitudes. While humility and reverence are widely acknowledged as essential, the practical implications and theological underpinnings of this preparation vary significantly.

One perspective emphasizes the need for careful self-examination and a recognition of one's unworthiness before partaking. This view often draws from Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 11, where he warns against eating and drinking "unworthily" [4]. John Calvin, a prominent Reformed theologian, stressed that ceremonies, to be exercises of piety, must lead directly to Christ and that "profane entertainments must not be intermingled with the sacred Supper of the Lord" [12]. This tradition often calls for a period of introspection, confession of sins, and a renewed commitment to Christ. Charles Hodge, representing Old Princeton Reformed theology, states that the sacrament is "intended for believers" and that those who come insincerely "eat and drink judgment to themselves" [11]. Humility, in this context, is seen as a prerequisite for receiving God's grace, aligning with biblical teachings that God regards the humble [1, 3]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 26:6, highlights David's "careful and conscientious in his preparation for holy ordinances," including washing his hands in innocence, which is interpreted as a spiritual cleansing [9].

In contrast, other traditions, while valuing humility and reverence, place a greater emphasis on God's grace and the Supper as a means of receiving that grace, rather than as a reward for prior preparation. The Lutheran tradition, for instance, teaches that "the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed to those who eat the Supper of the Lord" [15]. While not negating personal piety, the focus here is on the objective presence of Christ and the Supper's efficacy through divine institution. This perspective might emphasize that the Supper itself is a means of strengthening faith and fostering humility, rather than requiring perfect humility beforehand.

The Anglican tradition, as articulated in the Thirty-Nine Articles, describes the Supper as "not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death" [14]. It specifies that "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ." This view implies that faith is the primary condition for worthy reception, which naturally includes a humble and reverent disposition.

Across these different approaches, there is a shared understanding that humility is a fundamental Christian grace [3]. Christ himself is presented as the ultimate example of humility [1, 8], and believers are exhorted to humble themselves before the Lord [5]. Proverbs teaches that "before honour is humility" [6], a sentiment echoed in Jewish rabbinic thought by Rashi, who states that "Humility causes honor to come" [10]. Reverence is also universally acknowledged, often expressed through silence and a recognition of God's holiness, as suggested by Zephaniah 1:7: "Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near" [2]. The act of giving thanks, exemplified by Christ before meals [7], is also a common element of preparation, reflecting a reverent attitude.

The divergence in emphasis often stems from differing understandings of the nature of the sacrament itself and the relationship between human action and divine grace. Some traditions lean towards a more subjective preparation, focusing on the individual's spiritual state, while others emphasize the objective reality of Christ's presence and the Supper's role as a gift of grace, which then cultivates humility and reverence in the recipient. Nevertheless, the importance of approaching this sacred meal with a spirit of humility and reverence is a common thread that unites diverse Christian practices [12, 13].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  2. Zephaniah “Zephaniah 1:7 (BSB) — Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lord's Supper — (1 Cor. 11:20), called also "the Lord's table" (10:21), "communion," "cup of blessing" (10:16), and "breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42). In the early Church it was called also "eucharist," or giving of thanks (comp. Matt. 26:27), and generally by the Latin Church "mass," a name derived from the formula of dismission, Ite, missa est, i.e., "Go, it is discharged." The account of the institution of this ordinance is given in Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19, 20, and 1 Cor. 11:24-26. It is not mentioned by John. It was designed, (1.) To commemorate t”
  5. James “James 4:10 (BSB) — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
  6. Proverbs “Proverbs 15:33 (KJV) — The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 26:6: In these verses, I. David mentions, as further evidence of his integrity, the sincere affection he had to the ordinances of God, the constant care he took about them, and the pleasure he took in them. Hypocrites and dissemblers may indeed be found attending on God's ordinances, as the proud Pharisee went up to the temple to pray with the penitent publican; but it is a good sign of sincerity if we attend upon them as David here tells us he did, Psa 26:6-8. 1. He was very careful and conscientious in his preparation for holy ordinances: I will wash my hands in innoc”
  10. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”
  11. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 68: all admit that in the Lord’s Supper believers are thus united to Christ and to one another. Qualifications for the Lord’s Supper. It is plain from the preceding account of the nature and design of this sacrament, that it is intended for believers; and that those who come to the table of the Lord do thereby profess to be his disciples. If sincere in this profession, they receive the inestimable gifts which it is intended to convey. If insincere, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. The Apostle, therefore, argues that as those who par”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 92: and reverence, with which sacred things ought to be treated. Moreover, ceremonies, in order to be exercises of piety, must lead us directly to Christ. In like manner, we shall not make order consist in that nugatory pomp which gives nothing but evanescent splendour, but in that arrangement which removes all confusion, barbarism, contumacy, all turbulence and dissension. Of the former class we have examples ( 1 Cor. 11:5, 21 ), where Paul says, that profane entertainments must not be intermingled with the sacred Supper of the Lord; ”
  13. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Humility, Art. 6: Article: Whether twelve degrees of humility are fittingly distinguished in the Rule of the Blessed Benedict? I answer that, As stated above (Article [2]) humility has essentially to do with the appetite, in so far as a man restrains the impetuosity of his soul, from tending inordinately to great things: yet its rule is in the cognitive faculty, in that we should not deem ourselves to be above what we are. Also, the principle and origin of both these things is the reverence we bear to God. Now the”
  14. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 271: The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.”
  15. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 1 Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood: 1 Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed 2 to those who eat the Supper of the Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.”
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