At The Lord’s Table

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34 http://bib.ly/1Co11.17-34.KJV

Key verse: “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” ( 1 Corinthians 11:27 http://bib.ly/1Co11.27.KJV ).

It is often the lot of man to turn God's sacred practices to fads and fashion. Yet, God's standards remain unalterable. The wise keeps to it and rejoices.

The Lord's Supper is a practical demonstration of the gospel, a vivid illustration of the death of Christ, for the sin of mankind. Through it, believers are reminded of the death of the Saviour and of the imminence and hope of His return. The celebration of the Lord's Supper in the early Church also incorporated a love feast. This was a form of sharing and caring which preceded the actual celebration and in which all believers freely participated. Sadly, the Corinthian Church soon lost this admirable tradition. It was replaced by wanton discrimination between the rich and the poor. Paul promptly rebuked this anomaly and again, presented to the Church the significance and process of conducting the Lord's Supper, as given by the Lord.

The bread and wine (emblems used at the Supper) are symbolic representations of the Body and Blood of the Saviour. It took the sacrifice on the cross to make our new relationship anchored not on the law, but on the amazing grace of God's love. Partaking in the Lord's Supper shows that we are remembering Christ's sacrifice for us and renewing our pledge of service to Him. Taking the ordinance unworthily portrays ignorance of the implications of Christ's sacrifice at Calvary.

How then do we partake in the Lord's Supper? First, we do so prayerfully and thoughtfully, mindful of Christ's death and sacrifice for our sins. Secondly, we partake, not presumptuously, but with honour and due reverence to God. Thirdly we yield ourselves to critical self-examination, so that no sinful attitude is found in us. In addition, we partake with due deference to the body of Christ, celebrating it in an orderly, decent and cooperative manner. And finally, we do so with humility and contrition of heart.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Christ in His flesh bore our sins and paid our ransom.

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi