Today’s Bible Reading:
Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11
Topic: Communion
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered
to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took
bread; 24and when He had
given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is
broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper,
saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as
you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's
death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of
the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord. 28 But let a man
examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks
in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the
Lord's body.
OBSERVATION:
Jesus
said “Do this in remembrance of Me,” but just what exactly did He mean
for us to remember when He instituted the Lord’s Table? We are told to remember
His body, His blood, and His death. But is that all we’re supposed to remember?
He was betrayed, He was unjustly tried, He was beaten and mocked and tortured,
He was severely whipped, He was nailed to a cross and suffered excruciatingly. His
body was mangled and His blood was poured out and He died. –– “This is My body which is broken for
you. . . This cup is the new covenant in My blood. . .” Yes! This is what we are to remember. But may I
suggest that we are not only to remember His suffering and sacrifice, but why He suffered and died.
Verse 27 talks about partaking “unworthily.” So who is worthy to come to the Lord’s
Table? I’ll tell you the answer
to that – Nobody. None of us
are worthy on our own merits. Partaking in a worthy manner doesn’t mean making ourselves worthy. It has
nothing to do with our own good behavior; it means to ascribe the full worth to
what Jesus Christ has done to welcome us into the presence of the Father. He has made us
worthy through His blood and His Cross.
APPLICATION:
“What
does Jesus want us to remember?” He is
not asking us to remember how much it hurt Him or that it was our fault.
Jesus doesn’t require ongoing remembrance of guilt in order for us to become
His disciples. When we eat the bread and drink the cup, He wants us to remember
that His Blood was shed—once and for all—to cover all our sins so we need never
live under condemnation. Whenever we come to observe the ordinance of Holy Communion,
in addition to being a time of somber reflection, may it be an occasion of joyous thanksgiving for the
victory He has accomplished for us.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the great love you have demonstrated
in sending Jesus. Jesus, thank You that you came and victoriously won eternal
life for those who believe and receive it. Holy Spirit empower us to live lives
that glorify our Creator and Savior. Amen. -AP
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