Self Examination and The Lord's Supper

Today's full reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

"Therefore, 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. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:27-28 NIV)

Christ was a master teacher. He used many great teaching methods including lots of stories and object lessons not to mention his content was completely life changing. The scene that Paul recounts to the Corinthian believers is when Jesus was serving the Lord's Supper to his disciples. The elements he used, the bread and wine, were normal aspects of the passover meal that the Israelites had celebrated for centuries from the time of Moses and the Exodus.

However, when Jesus explained that this bread was his body and this wine was his blood it all took on a heavier meaning. The theology of the atonement has never been more clear to me than when I read of the first passover. Now imagine Jesus being the perfect passover lamb who was sacrificed and whose blood became the sign and seal of our forgiveness.

The Lord's Supper is not to be taken lightly nor is it to be done superficially. Jesus commanded that we partake of it as a way to remember the sacrifice he paid for us.

Today, as an act of worship, praise God for his great sacrifice for our sins. Thank him for reminding us to examine ourselves before we partake of this sacred meal. May we be reminded at each and every meal of our great provider as we offer thanks and praise to God.