But the communion service was not to be a season of sorrowing. This was not its purpose. As the Lord’s disciples gather about His table, they are not to remember and lament their shortcomings. They are not to dwell upon their past religious experience, whether that experience has been elevating or depressing. They are not to recall the differences between them and their brethren. The preparatory service has embraced all this. The self-examination, the confession of sin, the reconciling of differences, has all been done. Now they come to meet with Christ. They are not to stand in the shadow of the cross, but in its saving light. They are to open the soul to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. With hearts cleansed by Christ’s most precious blood, in full consciousness of His presence, although unseen, they are to hear His words, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” John 14:27. {FLB 301.3}

Men nadverfællesskabet skal ikke være en sørgestund. Det var ikke hensigten. Idet Herrens disciple samledes omkring Hans bord, skal de ikke huske på og klage over deres ufuldkommenheder. De skal ikke dvæle ved deres tidligere religiøse erfaring, uanset om den erfaring har været ophøjende eller nedtrykkende. De skal ikke genkalde forskellene mellem dem og deres brødre. Forberedelsen har omfavnet alt dette. Denne selvransagelse, syndsbekendelse, forligelse er alt sammen sket. Nu kommer de for at mødes med Kristus. De skal ikke stå korsets skygge, men i dets frelsende lys. De skal åbne sjælen for Retfærdighedens Sols klare stråler. Med hjerterne renset af Kristi dyrebareste blod, i bevidstheden om Hans nærvær skal de, skønt usynlige, høre Hans ord: ”Fred efterlader jeg jer, min fred giver jeg jer; jeg giver jer ikke, som verden giver.” Joh. 14,27.