Happy Wednesday! Today we are finishing our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. In these final verses Paul is calling the church to examine themselves. Join me as we read verses 27-34. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
“27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against[g] the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ,[h] you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 32 Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
33 So, my dear brothers and sisters,[i] when you gather for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other. 34 If you are really hungry, eat at home so you won’t bring judgment upon yourselves when you meet together. I’ll give you instructions about the other matters after I arrive.” – 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 NLT
While Paul made every effort to instruct the Corinthian church, he was clear that the Lord’s supper/communion should not be taken lightly.
The time of the Lord’s supper is sacred. It is a time of remembrance and also a time for humbly going before the Father and asking for forgiveness. In most churches right before communion, the church spends time informing the congregation on the significance of communion and going before the the Lord to receive the bread and the cup. A pastor will explain in detail what it means and ask for members of the congregation to examine themselves before partaking in communion.
Sisters and brothers, communion or partaking in the Lord’s supper is not a ritual or something to do. It’s recognition that we are not and never will be great enough to save ourselves and that we need the Savior. It’s a moment of reflection, gratefulness for Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and reconciling us back to God. This Sunday or this month when you partake in communion examine your heart, remember how you have been forgiven, and ask the Lord to:
- forgive you for the bitterness in your heart and for sins you have been harboring in your heart against another sister or brother.
- use the time to remind you of His faithfulness in your life.
- restore you and make you whole in Him.
Lord, your mercies are new today, give us strength for this day.
Father God, thank you for today. Lord, thank you for your love that overflows beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Lord, you have been faithful even when we have not been. Lord, you have given us strength when we were weak, joy in our grief and wisdom when we were lost. Your unconditional love, Lord is freeing and well received. Lord, thank you for loving us when no one else would, for loving us when we couldn’t accept or love our own selves. Lord, we don’t want to sin against you or our sisters and brothers. Lord, be the head of our lives and direct our footsteps. Lord, we love and thank you for all that you are and that you are transforming us to be. In Jesus name, amen.
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