“Is it proper for a Christian to miss a part of the communion?”

April 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

QUESTION: Is it proper for a Christian to miss a part of the communion? What should a Christian do if the bread has been shared and the cup is being passed before he enters? Should he request for the bread to partake thereof, or should he go ahead with the cup having missed the bread?

ANSWER: “The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread” (1 Cor. 11:23 NKJV ). He knew what was before Him as He went to the cross, but rather than being occupied with Himself He was concerned about His disciples. The Lord, knowing they would be troubled, told them, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn. 14:1). He quoted from the Old Testament what would happen: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Mt. 26:31; see Zech. 13:7). In all this we see the Lord’s great concern for His disciples and, by extension, us too. He demonstrated His love for us with the institution of this memorial supper, for He wanted us to remember Him. The Lord knows we are a forgetful people, and we often take His goodness for granted.

In the Old Testament He warned His people not to forget Jehovah their God, but to remember who He was and all the great wonders that He had done for them (Dt. 8:18-19). To neglect His remembrance, or do so in half measures, only reveals the poor condition of one’s heart. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Our remembering Him in the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine is not simply a desire of His – it is a command: “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk. 22:19). Furthermore, one’s heart is where his treasure is, “for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also” (12:34).

The Lord said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20). Do we want to be with Him, to be where He is, to do what He wants us to do, to remember Him? Or is it not particularly important to us? Do we really care?

If all is in order in the lives of children of God, it is normal that we are in His presence to remember Him. We should be there, prepared in our hearts to offer worship to Him, having searched our hearts to see if there is anything that needs to be confessed. We should be there in quietness before the Lord in a reverent attitude, ready to give Him what is His due.

In view of this we would understand that it is not good – perhaps showing a condition of heart that may not be in tune with the Lord – if we miss this wonderful memorial feast of the Lord who sacrificed His own life for us. We understand that there may be circumstances beyond a person’s control that may prevent one from attending or entering on time, such as sickness or a mishap along the way. Therefore we should not take an extreme position. But, one must search his or her heart to seek why he or she missed the remembrance or was late. Was it a lack of care or a lack of importance and priority?

Eating and drinking is a demonstration of fellowship and communion. To come in late, to drink the cup and then eat of the bread is outside of the order the Lord gave. This would show a lack of true fellowship with Him. Furthermore, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). So, if one arrives late, at the time when the cup is being passed and has missed the bread, it would be disorderly and confusing to ask for the bread to be re-given. It would disturb and be a distraction and hindrance to the flow of worship and remembering Him. We believe it would be better to abstain then and be on time on the next occasion.

Answered by Albert Blok