July 7, 2024
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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
- 1st Corinthians 11:27-29
The Holy Communion is a sacred observance for Christians—one that Jesus commanded that we partake in regularly in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19-20). The bread and cup of the Holy Communion represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ which He humbly gave up on the cross.
Paul expands on Christ’s command to partake by highlighting a very important assessment we must perform every time we take the communion. We ought to examine ourselves to ensure that we do not eat the bread and drink of the cup in an unworthy manner.
“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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).
The Greek translation of “unworthy manner” is “anaxios” which means irreverently. And to be guilty means to be responsible for an action that was wrong, especially when it is a crime. If we do not demonstrate a countenance of reverence in our spirit man, we, according to Paul, are guilty of the body and blood of Jesus.
We are to approach the communion table with reverence. Our demeanour should be one of conscious piety bearing in mind the beatings and sufferings of Christ on our behalf and for our sakes every time we take the Holy Communion. It is not just a meal we are consuming, but we are taking part in a holy exercise.
Our failure to pause and reflect on what the Lord went through, to allow the understanding to envelope our consciousness, to cause a Spirit-inspired tremor to swirl within our hearts in fear and in awe of the Lord’s painful yet gracious sacrifice is like the spitting, mocking, beatings, and insults to Jesus at the hands of His Roman handlers.
But when we approach the communion with reverence and deep regard, we can tap into all that Christ’s death and suffering secured for us—redemption, salvation and fullness of life, all-round wholeness and restoration to our place of sonship in God.
Song of Worship
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Prayer - Dear Lord, I receive grace to be always conscious and in reverence of You, especially when I take the Holy communion, remembering all the time, the painful suffering you went through in Your body just for my sake. Thank you, Jesus.
Bible in 1 year: Job 34-35; Acts 15
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