The Order of the Meal
The verse before Colossians 3:16 bibrefcolossians3 bibrefcolossians3v16 has two commands. Both are relevant for the Lord’s Supper even if they are not directly about it.
- Let rule the peace of Christ in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.
- And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 bibrefcolossians3 bibrefcolossians3v15
“The peace of Christ” is not just peace from Him, it is what we have with and by Him. Christ has made “peace by the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20 bibrefcolossians1 bibrefcolossians1v20), reconciling believers to God. We were alienated and hostile in mind, now as those reconciled “in His body of flesh by His death” He continues to prepare us for holiness and blamelessness before God (Colossians 1:21-22 bibrefcolossians1 bibrefcolossians1v21 bibrefcolossians1v22).
This position of peace with God should be the decisive factor in all our perceptions and interactions. Especially when it comes to others in the church, He has made peace, so we should live in a house of peace. He has made peace not just for you, as good as that is, but so that all His chosen ones would live together and forgive as the Lord has forgiven them (verse 13).
As often as we proclaim the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:26 bibref1corinthians11 bibref1corinthians11v26) we should be proclaiming the burial of our grudges and resentments.
Which goes with being thankful. “Be thankful” is a command (verse 15), it is also inevitable when the Word dwells richly (verse 16), it is also necessary in whatever we do (verse 17).
Let peace and thanks be the order of the day and the order of the meal.