In preparing for our communion this Lord’s Day, I have been thoroughly challenged and stirred by the study of the traditional Scottish Communion Season. Since the Reformation, our brethren in the Scottish Highlands have enjoyed a heightened celebration of this sacrament. They observe the Lord’s Supper with a thorough spiritual preparation, and the communion “season” lasts 4-5 days. From Thursday through Monday, businesses close and saints worship gather together morning and evening. Town and regional churches often come together for this communion season, and the pastors will preach sermons on varying themes Thursday through Monday. In lieu of our gathering for worship on these days, I plan to send out morning and evening devotionals for our own communion preparation, roughly following the practice of the Scottish Presbyterians.
Thursday—A Time for Confession
1 John 3:4—“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”
We begin our season of preparation for the Lord’s Supper with a time of confession. Here, Christians admit their personal sin and need for pardon. We ought to deal honestly with ourselves, and till the soil of our souls with the Law. John writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “sin is lawlessness.” Sin is not just “lostness.” It is more than “self-centeredness” or “shortcomings.” Sin is far more destructive than “mistakes.” How does God define sin? “Sin is lawlessness.” It is rebellion against God. We have broken His holy Law. We have broken His commands. Saints prepare to meet with Christ in the Lord’s Supper by meditating on their coldness toward God and His standards. We have gone after other gods, worshipped Him according to the traditions and opinions of men, profaned His holy name, misspent His holy day, carried ourselves dishonorably in our relations, lost control of our temper, entertained impure thoughts, greedily promoted ourselves, slandered our neighbors, and coveted their possessions. By thought, word, and deed, we have both subtly and willfully disobeyed each of the 10 commandments. We begin our season of preparation here, from below, that we might stir our appetite for Christ. Oh Lord, do your work in us!
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