The Lord's Supper

Good morning brothers and sisters,

In yesterday's passage Paul reprimanded the Corinthian Christians for messing up the Lord's Supper by some not having enough and others eating and drinking too much. Following up on that he reminds them what the purpose of the Lord's Supper is. This first paragraph is what we know as the "words of institution." We hear them each time we serve communion. It does the same thing for us it did for the Corinthians: reminds us why we have come to the table so we really can proclaim Christ's death through our meal.


The second paragraph reminds us what a great gift this communion with the Lord is. We are called to examine ourselves first and to focus on Christ in the sacrament. When we examine ourselves we can see where we are falling short of our calling, ask forgiveness, and take a step forward as God's people. Then, together, we find nourishment at the Lord's table.


God bless,

Sam


1 Corinthians 11:23-34

23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.


27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.