A Place of Grace

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture Focus: When you come together as a church there are divisions among you. (1 Corinthians 11.18, NIV)

Devotional Thought: For the most part, Protestants observe 2 sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, also known as communion or the Eucharist.  A very few Protestants also add foot washing as a sacrament, while some Protestants do not observe any sacraments.  Roman Catholics observe 7: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick (including Last Rites), Holy Orders (ordination), and Matrimony.  In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul writes about the Lord's Supper.

All who follow Christ are equal at the Table of the Lord.  Yet in Corinth, the Table was the scene of blatant inequality.  Wealthy Christians were feasting while poor Christians were going hungry.  Paul had nothing good to say about that practice.  As a matter of fact, it was this egregious inequality that prompted Paul’s warning: “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.  For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (vv. 27-29, NIV).

The Lord's Supper is an opportunity to examine our hearts - not only in relation to God, but also in relation to others.  Do you come to the Table of mercy while holding a grudge against another Christ-follower?  Do you eat the bread of reconciliation while engaging in gossip or character assassination?  Do you drink the cup of fellowship while refusing to receive a brother or sister in the Lord?

The Table is a place of grace.  We receive or refuse that grace based upon our approach to the Table.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the broken body and shed blood of your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ.  Help me to become like Christ when I receive his mercy and grace at the Table.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 111.6-10

6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!