A TABLE, A GRAVE, AND A TOMB
This month in thanksgiving for our beautiful new altar which arrived just in time for Easter, we consider the purpose and symbolism of the altar.
The altar is (1) a table, (2) a grave, (3) a tomb.
Altars have parts. The top of the altar has a special name. It is known as the mensa. Mensa is a Latin word meaning table. The Bible calls Holy Communion “the table of the Lord” (1 Cor. 10:21). The altar is the table that we gather around. Even as Jesus gathered at a table to sup with his disciples, so our Lord gathers us here and we eat with him (Luke 22:14). Our new altar is our special table where we gather with Jesus.
Traditionally the mensa was made entirely of stone or, if not entirely made of stone, a small square inset of stone was placed in the top. The history of a stone altar or top is reminiscent of the stone grave that Jesus’ dead body was placed in. We go on Sunday to visit the place where our Lord lays. Symbols on the altar abbreviate the name of Jesus showing us that we have come to the right spot. (Our altar has the initials HIS and AO.) As the women arrived to the tomb on that first Easter in the morning darkness of sadness, overcome by the evil of the world that killed Christ, and sorrowing over death and the demise of their hopes, so also we arrive at the burial spot and grave of Jesus surrounded by thoughts of sin, sadness, and death.
Five crosses appear in the stone, one on each corner of the mensa, and one in the center. These symbolize the five wounds of Jesus, two in His hands, two in His feet, and one in His side. The chalice is placed near the cross in the center. We remember how the Lord was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. From the side of Christ flowed blood and water, life and gifts for us to drink (John 19:34). We are reminded of the burial of Christ in the stone tomb.
If the altar recalls Jesus’ death and burial, the altar linens point to His resurrection and the empty tomb. Our altar and communion vessels are adorned with linens reminding us of the natural fabric that was used to wrap Jesus body in (Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:46, John 19:40). The purificator that lays over the chalice historically symbolizes the separate napkin or cloth that Jesus head was covered with (John 20:7). The fair linen that is laid on the mensa represents the shroud over Jesus’ body (Luke 23:53). Yet these linens were set aside by our Lord, the clothing of death removed. The pastor folds the linens and sets them aside. Jesus is not dead, but He is risen, and we receive this resurrection meal of sins forgiven, eternal life, and salvation even as we eat His living body and drink His life-giving blood.
An altar is typically, as best as possible, a permanent fixture in the church. The point of the altar is not to move it out and in. Even in non-communion services the hill of the altar is always there. Our life centers around this altar because at the altar we receive the fruits of Jesus’ cross which are life, forgiveness, and sanctification.
Altars are a part of our churches! We are here not for a stage for entertainment or a podium fora lecture, but for the reading of Scripture and the receiving of the Sacrament. We gather to hear Jesus’ words preached and to receive His holy wounds. We gather around the grave of death and the tomb of life, which is our joyous table. We know the power to consecrate the sacrament to be Christ’s body and blood is not in the man who stands before us, but the holy words God has given this man to speak. The gift on the altar is not something we offer to God in heaven to merit forgiveness (as in the false view of the Roman church) but here the direction is to us and is all gift. “Given for you.” In response we give Him our eucharistic thanks and praise.
On an altar Abel offered a better sacrifice to God (Genesis 4:4, Hebrews 11:4), on an altar Noah offered a sweet smelling offering to the Lord which stilled God’s judgment (Genesis 8:20-21), on an altar Elijah’s God was demonstrated as true (1 Kings 18:38), and on the altars of Judaism, the blood of bulls and goats were offered to atone for sin. Yet we have a greater altar, the altar of the Lord where the sacrifice of a better and perfect offering was offered in completion, once for all, for you and for me.
Where do we receive these gifts? Look no further than the holy altar which stands before your eyes. May God bless it for our use.
In Christ,
Pastor Seifferlein
