Discernment and the Lord's supper

For I received from the Lord  that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread .... (1 Corinthians 11:23). Among many other things  Paul evidently received by direct revelation, the  instructions that follow, concerning the Lord's supper (2 Corinthians 12:7; verse 20).  The Corinthian Lord's suppers  were very different from the various ways we celebrate them today. It was a complete meal, and some were evidently pushing ahead taking more than they should,  leaving nothing for others, still others were drunk (verses 21, 22). Moreover there were divisions among them (verse 18). Paul suggests that such behaviour despises the Church, and shames those who have nothing (verse 22). He goes on,  in recalling his earlier teaching (“which I delivered to you”),  to point out that these love feasts have as their purpose the remembrance of the Lord (verses 24, 25), and the proclamation of  the Lord’s death until He comes (verse 26).

He speaks of the Corinthian's behaviour as not discerning the body, and eating and drinking in an unworthy manner (verse 29). If the feast is a proclamation and remembrance, their behaviour would defile the proclamation,  and would speak volumes about the way in which they remembered and appreciated (or not) all that He had done and accomplished in His death.  Apparently many were weak and sickly among them and some had died, and Paul links this the discipline of the Lord and the cause of it all (verses 30, 32).  The lesson for us then, is that we are to examine ourselves, but then,  having done so,  to eat the bread and drink the cup (verse 28).   But what exactly does Paul mean when he tells us to examine ourselves before we partake?

We need to look at verses 31, 32 which read “If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged.  but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world” (Holman Christian Standard Bible). The first thing I need to say,  is that the judgement of which he speaks does not void our salvation. We are disciplined so that we may not be condemned with the world (see also 3:13-15). The second thing, though it is not stated explicitly, certainly implies that we need to repent, turn and ask for forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). I am reminded of twelve step programs which actually gives a greater depth to these things,  and breaks them down into manageable steps. These include making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves; being  entirely ready to have God remove all our  defects of character;  humbly asking Him to remove them;  and making  appropriate amends.

Father, many people feel that twelve-step programs are just for those dealing with substance abuse, but they are relevant to all of us. In fact in using “we” in verse 31 Paul even includes himself. We need Your help even here Lord, so please search our hearts oh Lord and lead us in the paths of life (Psalm 139:24) in Jesus Name Amen