Friday's Follow-up Verses
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further directions.
Pondering Point
These are Paul’s words regarding use of the Lord’s Supper (or misuse in this particular case).
This is not the place for a broad theological dissertation. But it can be a place to pray against misuse of God’s gift by the church of today. And it can a be a place to pray for the proper use of God’s gift by the church 'till He comes back.
Every time that we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” 1 Corinthians 11:26. Let’s pray for faithfulness in our proclamation of Jesus’ death until He comes.
Prayer
Lord, it is heartbreaking to think we could take Your gifts like communion, Your Word and more and use them in ways that are harmful, hurtful, painful. Deliver us from such evil. To use a double negative Lord, let it not be said that we are not praise-worthy in such matters. To You be glory and honor and praise in the celebration of Your Holy Supper. Amen.
Micro-Moment of Discipleship
The Benefit and the Power
of participating in the Lord’s Supper
What benefit do we receive from eating and drinking of the Lord Supper? These words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?
Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: forgiveness of sins.
Luther’s Small Catechism, pp. 233,236
Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, for life and for salvation that are mine through Your body and blood shed for us all at the cross. This is what I believe and rejoice in – and why I gladly call You Savior and Lord. I look forward to the next occasion to share Your Supper with You.