The Other Side of the Altar

One day, a pastor went to call on a parishioner who was now only scarcely coming to worship since her elderly parents died. The entire family had faithfully attended the same congregation for three generations, so this was most unusual indeed.
When the compassionate shepherd asked why she had not been coming to church, emotions came pouring over her and she said, “Pastor, I just can’t bear it! Each time I try to come back, I sit in that sanctuary and so many memories come flooding back. I miss worshipping with my Mom and Dad so bad! No matter how hard I try, I just can’t escape the fact that they are not there with me anymore. I don’t know how I can come back to church ever again.”
The pastor knew how hard this could be for some people. In fact, this wasn’t the first time he faced such a situation. For all who take the faith seriously, one of the main goals Christians have is for their children and children’s children to grow in the truth of God’s Word and remain faithful in worship and the Church. To have a spiritual bond of fellowship that transcends even flesh and blood is among the greatest of God’s blessings that a family can enjoy! But oh how hard it can be when that tight bond is suddenly severed by death. What was once a great blessing now becomes a painful memory and pierces even our soul!
So the pastor said, “Do you realize that when you commune at Church, we only gather on one side of that altar?”
A silent, “So what?” was the returning blank stare!
“Well, let me tell you something about that,” he said. “I remember learning in seminary that in many churches, the altar was placed against the wall with a purpose in mind. We worship and commune on only one side of the altar to remind us that there are two sides to worship: one side is our worship here on earth, and the other side is in heaven. So when we come to worship and commune, we join the celebratory feast of heaven! Do you realize what that means?”
Again, the blank stare was deafening!
“It means that when you come to worship, you are joining with Mom and Dad again in worship! They are ‘on the other side’ of that altar, worshipping together with you in heaven. The liturgy also resonates this truth when we say, ‘Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying….”
What was once a blank stare, now turned to tearful eyes that finally understood. And with that she said, “Funny, isn’t it, how we can come to the same place and do the same things time and time again and miss the deeper understanding?”
“I think we all do this,” the pastor replied, “and more times than what we know.”
It is reported that she started coming to worship again. And even though her newfound understanding did not take away all of the pain, it is amazing how only Jesus can reach through the deepest hurts of our lives and can bring us back to Him! Ever the Good Shepherd, Jesus lifts the weak and wounded onto His strong shoulders and gently brings them back to His flock. He said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life” (John 10:27–28). No matter which side of the altar we worship from, we will ever thank Jesus for this!
Dan McQuality is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Illinois.