"Meditations on the Lord's Supper" by Jacob Jones Janeway. A Review

 

"Meditations on the Lord's Supper" by Jacob Jones Janeway

Many times when churches have the Lord's Supper or Communion, congregants either aren't  prepared or are not sure how to get ready. In 1848 Jacob Jones Janeway, a Presbyterian minister, put forth a series of short devotions with prayers to help Christians become more focused, and more grateful as they came to receive the sacrament. Unfortunately, these meditations became buried by time and distance. But recently, Log College Press has issued a new 152-page paperback that nicely bundles together these 29 meditations for popular use.

After an historical foreword by Wayne Sparkman, the director of the PCA historical center, comes the initial preface from the original author. The book then launches into nineteen meditations to be used before communion, one for during the Lord's Supper, and nine after the sacrament. That's the way the author presents them, but all of them can be used as preparation. Each devotion ends with a thoughtful prayer that guides hearts and minds upward and onward.

The meditations make progress through various aspects of the Gospel. From the original fall in Genesis 3 through the humility of Christ, his holy life, death, resurrection, returning to judge the living and the dead, on to other aspects that flow out of the Gospel. Janeway makes valuable observations along the way. For example, while writing about the suffering of Christ he notes, that Christ "suffered in his reputation. Because he conformed in his living to prevailing custom, he was called a wine bibber and a glutton. Mixing with all classes of men for their instruction, benefit, reformation, and salvation, he was reproached as the friend of publicans and sinners" (49).

There is much encouragement in these pages as well. Hope for the hurting, salve for the sore, and life for the languishing. One of my favorite statements has to do with the church, and is worth remembering. "The church is safe in the hands of her exalted Head. She is indeed environed with numerous and powerful enemies. But her glorious Redeemer, who loves her, is mighty to save" (66). A valuable point that many need to hear in our unsettled times.

I'm so glad that "Meditations on the Lord's Supper" has surfaced once more to see the light of day, and grateful that Log College Press has given it to us in a handy format. This is an ideal resource for ministers and congregants as they prepare for Communion, and I highly recommend it to one and all.

My thanks to the publisher who handed me a copy at our most recent General Assembly. They made no demands on me, and so my evaluation is mine, all mine, freely made and freely given.