When Did the Altar Turn Stage?

 

When Did the Altar Turn Stage?

Theology in the Trenches

By Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

It’s been a few years now since the words were first heard, and they still stir.

Funny how thoughts sort of bloom in slow motion and one day, they seem ripe for picking. After being rousted earlier than norm this morn, I knew it was time to give voice.

What were the words spoken so long ago by another? “He thinks we need to add on to the stage in church so there’s more room.”

My words somehow managed to tumble forth gently. “When did the altar turn stage?”

I ponder these thoughts anew as I enter churches these days where not only is the stage set but a theatre like atmosphere is now common.

Visiting a church one Sunday, I noted not only was the stage set and the walls darkened, but the passage way offered a basket of communion cups for the taking. A tiny plastic cup sealed with wafer atop, balanced upon a lid covered coffee, a passerby did hold. It was the first time I’d seen the two melded as one and the visual embedded. As I watched, the communion cup was set aside—to who knows where for the time being as the coffee was enjoyed.

Commending the gathering, commending the desire to remember Him in the form of the articles within the basket, and commending the desire to worship with those leading on stage, I suppose one must commend the atmosphere of darkness as it surely must lead to the Light. No different, I suppose, than when the world was darkened as He died upon the cross.

The cross—the cross—I’m not sure I recall seeing one against the backdrop of the words to the songs upon the stage. And, so it goes in the midst of the throngs hungering and thirsting for His righteousness.

And I wonder, “When did the altar turned stage?” Wondering about things is okay. I suppose wandering is okay, too, as He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep He is leading so we will not go astray. It’s good to ponder these things in our hearts as we notice the parallels. After all, Jesus preached with a backdrop of a mount from which He gave a sermon. In the Upper Room where the atmosphere turned dark, He washed the feet of His followers—serving per usual. Again, after His death, He shows up to the Upper Room even when the door was closed. I mean, it’s not like He knocked and asked to enter. He just appeared where they were. Oh, He can show up anywhere—and He does.

But I wonder, “When did the altar turned stage?” And, I pray that when there is one, an altar that is, that the cross remains because that’s how He retained—sins and all if I recall.

As I age, I know He has not changed but the delivery form must appeal or it won’t seem real to some I suppose but, “When did the altar turn stage?”

I’ve lived a while now and remember those who stood behind the altar—not so much they behind it as His Word in front. And with all due respect, the body and blood were His because He said so. and that cannot change upon the stage or upon the altar.

“The Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed spoke. ‘This is my body, given for you’” (Luke 22:19).

Many left and He asked those remaining, “Will you, too, leave me?” (John 6:67).

They responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

And I gently ask, “When did the altar turn stage?”

Yes, I do know the altar was set up for sacrifice so long ago and now we live in New Testament times. Yet, we cannot forget He sacrificed Himself willingly and when we forget to remember to link the old with the new, it soon becomes about us on the stage. And, when it does, we must gently ask, “When did the altar turn stage?”  Amen.