How to celebrate the Lord's Supper ? (2)

"Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let each one experience himself, and thus eat bread and drink from the cup ; for whoever eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment against himself, not distinguishing the body." 1 Corinthians 11. 27-29

It is a privilege to celebrate the Lord's Supper. But also a responsibility, and the above verses may detain many believers. Should we be afraid of such an injunction ? Would the Lord use an act, within the reach of all God's children, to punish them afterwards ?

The seriousness of participation in this memory is emphasized in verses 27 to 34. But these exhortations are not meant to discourage us. Of course, Satan can not stand his defeat to be proclaimed and he tries to put doubt in my mind : "You are not really worthy to take the Lord's Supper ! Certainly no one can claim any personal dignity to participate in the communion meal. But the Lord Jesus is worthy of being remembered for the reasons mentioned last Sunday. The verses of the day draw our attention to the way we participate in this meal.

The Corinthians celebrated the supper at a supper, as Jesus did with his disciples. But the rich tended to bring a lot of food and often their meals ended badly : many were drunk and no longer aware of what they were doing. That is why Paul exhorts them to reserve a special moment to celebrate the Lord's Supper; all the brothers and sisters, poor or rich, can be present and fully aware of the meaning of the act they perform.

For us too, because of habit, we risk participating in the Lord's Supper without distinguishing, in bread and cup, the body and blood of the Lord. It is to somehow despise the Lord, sin against him. If there are any unjust sins in our lives, if we are in conflict with our brothers, our spouse or a family member, or if we have become indifferent to the love of the Lord, then we eat "unworthily" . To avoid being judged, let us examine our lives seriously in the divine light, confess our sins, repent, and participate in this meal.

Yes, let us remember together the Lord's death as He desired it until He came.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)