Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

Background

Are you a supper family or a dinner family? We are a dinner family. I remember growing up and hearing some families refer to their evening meal as supper, and some refer to it as dinner. And what was really confusing were the families who called their midday meal dinner, and then ate supper in the evening. And so, if someone invited you over for dinner, it was best to make sure exactly which meal you were invited to. We had, and still have, breakfast, lunch, and then dinner in our home. There are also multiple times of snacking and grazing done by the kids throughout the day, but that’s a different issue. But when it comes to the meals, dinner is the one that we set aside to eat together as a family. It may be chaotic, it may be well-balanced or only one dish, and it may be at the kitchen table or in a restaurant somewhere. But we eat dinner together. It’s just what we do.

Application

Our Lord broke bread and passed the cup during His final Passover meal. As we have partaken of this ordinance and remembered His sacrifice in the times since, it has come to be called the Lord’s Supper. I have never heard anyone refer to it as the Lord’s Dinner. But the supper or the dinner part is not what’s important. Just like Jesus did not give a name to His model prayer for the disciples, He did not buy the naming rights to His final meal. The only thing that mattered was that it was the Lord’s. And that is still the only thing that matters. Paul does not mince words when he warns that anyone who takes the communion in an unworthy manner eats and drinks guilt and judgment on himself. Judas experienced it firsthand that very night. Christ’s sacrifice was a holy work. His life was perfect and His mission divine. When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we are placing ourselves under the authority of all that was accomplished on the cross. That is not a place to go to lightly. Dinner at my house may be haphazard or full of distractions. But for followers of Jesus, let us remember and partake of His Supper in worthy submission.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper be a time to examine yourself and humbly submit yourself to Jesus Christ.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words