Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 41

February 10;       I Corinthians 11:29;       144/260(II);       ‘Discerning the Body’

1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

The Lord Jesus Himself taught Paul the significance of communion.  Paul was taught and taught us that the bread represented Jesus’ body that was broken and bore our sicknesses.  When we take the bread, by faith we believe that Jesus bore our sicknesses upon Himself, on the cross, so that we can be healed or remain in health.  The cup represents Jesus’ blood that was shed for us to cleanse us from our sins.  Every time we partake of communion, we are to treat what we are doing as sacred, honoring what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us.  Paul warns that if we do not partake of communion with proper gratitude and love we are guilty of dishonoring our Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul continues by teaching that before we partake of communion, we should examine ourselves.  That means that if there is any sin in our life, ask the Lord to forgive you of that sin.  While we examine ourselves, Paul emphasizes in v29 that we must understand that Jesus’ body took on sickness for us.  If we do not believe that, we can never appropriate the healing that is offered in these verses.  ‘Not discerning the Lord’s body’ has a second meaning as well.  The Lord’s body is the church.  If we allow strife and contention in our lives, with other Christians, the healing we may need will be greatly hindered because of our attitude.  Paul goes on to say that if we do not believe Jesus’ body was broken to heal us and if we are offended with other believers, it opens the door for sickness and even death.  Paul concludes by exhorting us to judge ourselves and deal with unbelief or strife.  God’s blessings are ours if we do them His way.