Ted Jungkuntz
Several months ago as I was preparing my sermon, it seemed that the Holy Spirit stirred up in me what the Apostle Paul designates as "the utterance (word) of wisdom" (1 Cor. 12:8). I always use the appointed readings for the Sunday and on this particular Sunday the second lesson was taken from 1 Tim. 6 and included the words: "Fight the good fight of the faith; TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE to which you were called WHEN YOU MADE THE GOOD CONFESSION IN THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES" (v. 12). Since I regularly use the concluding sentences of my sermon as a bridge from the day's texts to the celebration of Christ's presence in his body and blood in the Lord's Supper, it suddenly came to me -- why not have the PEOPLE CONFESS the words which I normally would speak at the distribution of the elements in Holy Communion?
Since I am wary of irresponsible "liturgical innovations," I wondered at first whether this would be an offensive change in a long-standing tradition. Luther was always careful to only make changes which were in harmony with Holy Scripture and even then to make them in a way which did not trample in a loveless manner upon the sensitivities of the people. He neither wished to sin against TRUTH nor against LOVE. For him as for the Apostle Paul (Eph. 4:14-16) these were two sides of the same coin. So how to proceed with my "innovation" . . .?
I used the concluding comments of my sermon to prepare the people for what I believed the Lord was prompting me to do. One place where we certainly "TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE to which [we] are called" is in the Holy Supper of our Lord. Doesn't the pastor regularly say: "The body of Christ given for you; the blood of Christ shed for you?" And as we receive, aren't we "[taking] hold of eternal life?" Doesn't our "Amen" to the pastor's words affirm just that? So now what if we reversed the words spoken by pastor and communicant? Why shouldn't the communicant "[make] THE GOOD CONFESSION IN THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES" and boldly and confidently speak the words: "THE BODY OF CHRIST GIVEN FOR ME; THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SHED FOR ME?" And why shouldn't the pastor (or assistant) then respond as witness with a hearty "AMEN?"
After saying these things to the people, we rehearsed the words with the congregation as a whole a couple of times and then we proceeded to celebrate the Eucharist in this manner. The effect was somewhat electrifying. The Lord wasn't doing anything he hadn't been doing before – giving himself to us in this special way in a wonderful means of grace. However, faith had been stirred into an alertness so that it could the better "TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE" which was being offered, and people were being encouraged as they witnessed the "GOOD CONFESSION" of each of their fellow communicants.
As I have shared this experience with various people, it seems as though there is almost always an immediate witness in their hearts which says, "Yes, why of course, this would be an edifying way in which to distribute the sacrament." Perhaps this will also witness to your hearts and the Holy Spirit will use it to further bless this high moment of intimate communion with our Lord in your midst
Dr. Ted Jungkuntz
Cross & Resurrection Lutheran
2614 Page Court
Ann Arbor, MI 48104