For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 1 Cor.11:30
For What Reason?
Why are we weak, sick, and asleep at the wheel? The Apostle Paul reminds us it is because we are not giving worth to the Lord’s Supper—Communion. We have forgotten what Jesus did on the cross and why He did it. We have forgotten that our presence at the table and participation in the meal is in remembrance of Him. We have forgotten the significance and we have forgotten our Lord’s directive. We’ve lost our focus…or have we?
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2
His Pain or Our Gain
Where then should be our focus? On the pain and suffering Christ endured for us ~or~ on the result of that sacrifice, our salvation? I would say yes to both. Earlier in the passage, Paul writes about participating in an unworthy manner and not discerning the Lord’s body. I believe he is purposely reminding us that Christ’s death was not routine (in the natural sense) and nor should be our participation. It really needs to be a time of Eucharist (which simply means thanksgiving, which really means to remember) and I believe it needs to be at every meal.
Frankly, I’m not sure how a Christian gets around:
“This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
So in my house, we don’t get around it — we remember Christ’s broken body and poured out blood (almost) every time we dine as a family. It’s never an elaborate affair nor do I think Jesus wanted it to be. As often as you do it, remember. That’s all. And the more often you do it, the more you need to remember.
Why?
Because the more often Christians partake of God’s blessing the more we tend to take that blessing for granted.
Don’t think so?
When was the last time you walked out to a car that you assumed would be where you parked it last, inserted the key and assumed it would start, and drove where you wanted to go assuming you would arrive safely, on roads you assumed would be there, and not once thought about the God who provided it all?
We’re all guilty. We are a forgetful people and God knows this.
“Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no Savior besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought. When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.” Hosea 13:4-6
God knows that when we are regularly filled it is our tendency is to worship the blessing and ignore the Blessor. Therefore He chose a specific occasion for times of remembrance. Why a meal? Because its something we all do. He didn’t say, ‘Every time you get on your camel,’ because not every person owns one. He didn’t say, ‘As often as you enter your house,’ because not every one has one of those. But everyone eats eventually. It’s an activity that is common to all people.
Of what worth is His sacrifice if we don’t take the time to remember it? God ordained it so let’s do it — it honors Him and it blesses us!
But Communion is for Church!
Communion is for His body the Church, however I’ve yet to find a verse that suggests it can only be done at church. Frankly to suggest such a thing reeks of religion-ism; that very thing that so many Christians today are opposed to! Communion is absolutely a time of remembrance and a time of fellowship, but believer quantity was never meant to be the prerequisite.
If Jesus and I is all there is then Jesus and I will do just fine.
…The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, …”Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, …”This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
- What do these verses say about God?
- What do they say about us?
- What are some changes we could address?
Related articles
- A Proper Love (compassiondave.wordpress.com)
- The Lords Supper is a Full Meal | Till He Comes (javaman56.wordpress.com)
- Taking Communion for Granted (dailybibleplan.com)
[…] As Often as You _________ (compassiondave.wordpress.com) […]
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Thanks, Dave. Breaking bread in remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice is always a very special time. It last occurred for me among a small group on Passover, the very night the Lord instituted the New Covenant.
Your post is very well done. Thank you, and be blessed.
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I appreciate your always stopping by RJ. Thank you for the kind word of encouragement too! Praise be to God and have a blessed day in Him!
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love this post – great encouragement!
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Thanks bro — Praise the Lord!
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