Conduct surrounding the Lord’s Supper
June 17, 2022
Commentary
This passage reveals teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper. Jesus Christ took the cup and the loaf, the ingredients of a common meal in that day, and transformed them into a meaningful spiritual experience for believers. The communion table will give us an opportunity for spiritual growth and blessings if we approach it in the right attitude. It is a serious thing if we receive it in a careless manner. What then must we do if it is to bring blessing and not chastening?
1. We should look back (vv. 23-26a). We must remember that Jesus died for our sins as a substitute (Isa. 53:6). He died willingly showing forth his love for us (Rom. 5:6). However, this remembering is not simply the recalling of historical facts, but a participation in spiritual realities.
2. We should look ahead (v. 26b). We are to observe the Lord’s Supper “till He comes.” The return of Jesus Christ in the rapture is our blessed hope and could be very soon. Jesus not only died for us, but He arose again and ascended to heaven; and one day He shall return
3. We should look within (vv. 27-32). We do not have to be worthy to partake in the Lord’s Super, but only to partake in a worthy manner. To participate in a worthy manner, we must confess our sins to the Lord. Paul said to examine ourselves (v. 28).
4. We should look around (vv. 33-34). The Lord’s supper should be a demonstration of the unity of the church and not a time to look around and criticize other believers.
Application
I Should prepare myself for taking communion through healthy introspection and confession of sin (vv. 27-31). Awareness of my sin should not keep me away from communion but should cause me to want to confess my sin and make things right so that I can participate in it.
1 Corinthians 11:23– 34 (NET)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, 24 and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A person should examine himself first, and in this way let him eat the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks without careful regard for the body eats and drinks judgment against himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few are dead. 31 But if we examined ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come.