Communion Meditation: “Silencing the Accuser”

One of the things we constantly experience when we come to the Lord’s Table is the thought that in some ways we don’t belong here. We’re sinful, and some of us are scared about the “judgment” that some receive as they partake of communion in an “unworthy manner,” as Paul says in I Cor. 11. Part of that is our conscience. We know we’ve sinned, and the Lord’s Table is the perfect time to confess that to the Lord so that we partake in this meal in a worthy manner. But another part of that is the fact that Satan, the Great Accuser, loves to accuse the brethren before God. He loves to point out their failures, their sins, and all the ways that they disqualify themselves from partaking in this meal. So, how do we silence the Accuser at this table?

Don Carson once gave an illustration of two Israelites talking together outside a tent in the land of Goshen the day before the Passover. Their names were Smith and Brown (two very Jewish names). 

And Smith says to Brown, “Are you a little nervous about what’s going to happen tonight?” 

Brown says, “Well, God told us what to do through his servant, Moses. You don’t have to be nervous. Haven’t you slaughtered a lamb and put its blood on the two door posts outside your house? And you’re ready to eat the Passover meal tonight with your whole family?” 

And Smith says, “Yes, of course I’ve done all that. But this is really scary stuff: Water turning into blood, flies and locusts everywhere – and now this firstborn-might-die stuff! I really love my Charlie, and he just turned five yesterday, but now the Angel of Death is coming through tonight. This is really scary. I’ll be glad when this night is over!”

And Brown replies, “I say bring it on. I trust in the promises of God.” 

That night, the angel of death swept through the land. Which one lost his son? And Don Carson said, “Neither.” Because salvation from death doesn’t depend on the grounds of the intensity or the clarity of the faith expressed, but on the grounds of the blood of the lamb. 

Church, what silences the Accuser before God as he makes all the accusations against you and lists all the reasons why you have no right to be here at this table – what silences him is when Christ shows his wounded hands and side on your behalf. What overcomes the Accuser is the blood of the Lamb. His blood is what qualifies you to be at this table, enjoying communion with the Triune God and with his people. 

So, come and welcome to Jesus Christ.