In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus gives an example of how seriously we should take our anger. God doesn’t want our external piety if our hearts are far from him.

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

I’ve heard this passage get applied to communion many times over the years. People will refrain from coming to the table because they have an outstanding issue that they need to deal with. However, I think this reading misunderstands this passage and communion.

First of all, this passage isn’t about communion. Communion is a table, not an altar. It’s not an offering we give, but a gift that we receive. But for the sake of argument, let’s lump communion in as an external act of worship. What then?

If you’re praying to God before taking communion and the Holy Spirit brings some of your sin to mind, the answer isn’t to avoid communion. The answer is to repent! In that very moment, repent of your sin and then come to the table in faith. Now, if you’re convicted of sin and are unwilling to repent of it, that’s a different matter. Then it would be appropriate to sit out communion and come talk with one of the elders. Let us pray for you and encourage you in the gospel. But repentant Christians shouldn’t avoid the table.

Why is that so important? Communion isn’t for perfect people, otherwise no one could take it. Communion is a gift of grace for imperfect people like you and me. Even though the bread and wine are not the physical body of Jesus, we believe that Jesus is really present with us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that he meets us at the table and strengthens us, giving us the grace we need to follow him.

If you have a problem with someone, repent of your sin and seek reconciliation. But remember what communion teaches us: We feed on Christ by faith. He is the source of our strength. He’s the one that empowers us to repent of our anger and seek reconciliation. We find our nourishment – our life – in him.