23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 11:23-34.
When invited into someone’s home, we instinctively understand that there are unwritten rules of conduct and customs that require our respect and observance. The fear of unintentionally transgressing these norms and causing offense is a common anxiety. We strive to enter and conduct ourselves in a respectful manner, honoring the space our host has shared with us. This might mean removing our shoes at the door, a simple act that acknowledges their cultural or personal preferences. Similarly, as we approach the Lord’s Supper, we are invited to a sacred table, and it is equally crucial that we prepare ourselves to participate in the right way. This preparation is not a matter of mere etiquette but of spiritual readiness, requiring us to examine our hearts, understand the significance of the elements, and reflect on the profound message Christ conveys through this holy sacrament.
The initial step in this sacred preparation is self-examination. The Apostle Paul commands, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28, ESV). This is not a call to determine our inherent worthiness—for on those terms, none would qualify—but a directive to scrutinize our motives, attitudes, and conduct, particularly toward our fellow believers. We are to approach the table with a clear conscience and love for our community. Engaging in the Supper with a heart marked by divisiveness, selfishness, or a lack of compassion makes us unworthy of the blessing at the table and must be avoided. However, the judgment that follows such behavior is not a final condemnation, but rather a corrective act from a loving Father, designed to guide us back onto the right path and prevent us from being condemned along with the world. True, honest self-scrutiny allows us to address what is amiss in our hearts, thereby averting the need for such discipline.
Central to the Lord’s Supper are the elements themselves: the bread and the cup. When Jesus instituted this meal, He gave thanks, a word that gives us the term “Eucharist,” transforming the rite into a profound sacrifice of thanksgiving for the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ. He took bread, broke it, and declared, “This is my body, which is for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24, ESV). While His physical body was not broken on the cross, the breaking of the bread symbolizes the sacrificial offering of His life for us. Likewise, He took the cup, calling it “the new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25, ESV). This powerful statement signifies a new, unbreakable agreement between God and humanity, sealed not with the blood of animals but with the precious blood of Christ, which offers forgiveness, the promise of eternal life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These elements, as connected directly to Christ, serve as a personal invitation to approach the table, and our response requires more than just walking through tradition for tradition’s sake.
Beyond reflection and connection to Christ’s sacrifice, the sacrament leads toward profound anticipation. We are called to partake “in remembrance of me,” an active recollection of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and power. Yet, this remembrance is intrinsically linked to a future hope. As Paul states, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV). The word “proclaim” is a strong one; the act of communion is a powerful sermon, preaching the reality of Christ’s death to a watching world. This proclamation carries an eschatological weight, pointing forward to the day of Christ’s promised second coming. Therefore, we cannot be trite in our observance of Communion or The Lord’s Supper because it is the hope for the Church. It is in this spirit of shared hope that believers are admonished to ensure the Supper is an expression of unity and fellowship, not division. As such, the Table serves as a symbol and sign of the hope inherent within the body of Christ, and acts as a light for the world.
The Lord’s Table serves a divine purpose: to draw us into a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Approaching it correctly means preparing our hearts through honest introspection, reverently accepting the elements as symbols of a new covenant, and participating in a way that honors God and aligns with His mission for our lives. Just as we show respect when entering a friend’s home, we must approach this sacred invitation with reverence. It is at the table that Christ unites us, reminding us that a holy transformation occurs when we break down the walls that separate us and come together in peace and love. This spiritual renewal, completed by the Holy Spirit, is not meant to remain within the church walls but to flow out, impacting the entire world.
Elpis and Shalom 