When we partake of this table, Jesus is here by His Spirit. This is a covenantal meal, and so there are blessings for coming in sincere faith and curses for coming in hypocrisy and lies.
In Corinth, Paul said that some had gotten sick and some had even died because of the way they trifled with the Lord’s Supper. Becoming guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, they were eating and drinking damnation upon themselves.
There are different ways people may trifle with this table. In Corinth they were getting drunk, there were divisions in the church, and some were going to prostitutes. But Paul says that when Christians celebrate this meal, they need to examine themselves, checking to see that they truly are discerning the Lord’s Body, and not living in ongoing, unrepentant sin. This could be ongoing division between you and your spouse, your parents, your children, your neighbor, your co-worker, or another brother or sister here or elsewhere. This could be ongoing sin in your life that you are not repenting of. We want to be clear that you cannot persist in sin and come to this table and everything be fine.
We also want to be clear that as you bring your children to this table, make sure you are teaching them. While they do not need to be required to have an adult understanding, you should want to be seeing childlike faith and understanding, childlike awareness of sin and forgiveness. This is why we ask parents to let an elder know when their baptized children begin taking communion. We want to encourage you in this.
Paul specifically says that if anyone is hungry they should eat at home, indicating that this is not to be thought of as an ordinary meal. This is not snack time at church. This is communion in the body and blood of Christ. But it really is the goodness of God for us. God isn’t setting this table and inviting us here in order to trick us into judgment and cursing. No, this is the table of our Father, and He invites you here to bless you. Our response is simply gratitude and faith. But do not look at yourself looking to Christ with faith and thanksgiving. Simply look to Christ. Lay down your sin, lay down your unbelief, and come and welcome to Jesus Christ.
Photo by Joshua Olsen on Unsplash
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