EATING TOGETHER
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.” 1 Corinthians 11:20-21, ESV
Theme: As we prepare to take the Lord’s Supper, we must remember that in God’s family everyone receives equally. Share generously.
PREPARING FOR COMMUNION
Communion with God does take preparation. Just like any celebratory meal to which we are invited, we can prepare in respect for the one serving and providing the meal. Maybe there is appropriate attire, or we are asked to bring a dish. When we meet our Savior to recall and celebrate what He did on the cross, He requests equality. Have we provided food for our brothers and sisters who are hungry? Have we enjoyed a filling meal and put up leftovers while our neighbor didn’t have money to buy groceries? We are called to care for each other's needs authentically before approaching the Table.
FOOD AVAILABLE
At The Cove Church, we have a food pantry available near the cafe. If anyone coming in doesn’t have food, they can talk with the attendant, sign in, and take some things for the week. No questions are asked. No problem. Come to church, and you can leave with a few items to help feed yourself and your family. It’s not a perfect solution. Knowing people personally and meeting their needs or inviting them to partake when they need help is better. That’s what we do in our Life Groups – we get to know each other, and we care about each other's needs.
NO ONE LEAVES HUNGRY
In the early Church, the Lord’s Supper was often a part of a filling meal. If there was enough bread, or if other items were included following the bread and wine, it could fill hungry bellies. The way we serve communion is hardly a meal. I wonder if we might sometime celebrate communion as part of a full meal or feast like the early church? Jesus served the disciples at a Passover meal. No one left hungry.
Jesus also gave an example of feeding equally twice when He performed miracles to feed 5,000 and 4,000 respectively. Jesus showed us that spiritual feeding is vital and physical feeding is often a part of spiritual feeding. If He could make a way to feed everyone present out in a desolate place (Matthew, chapters 14 and 15), we can feed the people beside us when they gather to hear God’s Word, also.
Make It Personal: Even if we don’t change the way we serve communion, we can still prepare by intentionally providing for those we might need help around us. We can offer to bring a meal to a friend going through a health or financial issue. We can bring items to stock the Cove Marketplace. We can say “yes” to funding people going on mission or serving internationally. We can sponsor a child through Cove Global. What other ways might we care for each other as we honor our Lord and Savior Who generously provides for us?
Pray: Lord, thank You for providing for us. We love You and want to celebrate what You have done, yet sometimes we forget to care for each other. Help us to see the ways You are calling us to seek equality and become generous. This week, please provide an opportunity for me to fill this role of making meals equal among us before I celebrate communion. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Matthew 15:32-38; 14:13-21
Weekly Memory Verse: “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