“… a man ought to examine himself …”
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27Therefore, 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. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (1Corinthians 11:23-32; NIV. Please read 1Corinthians 11.)
When they met to eat this bread … to remember their Master … they spoke of those events recorded in the histories of their gospels. They also remembered words and works not recorded for any - but appreciated by those who were there with Jesus when He shared a private moment. As they remembered – how could they not examine themselves … not compare themselves to Jesus … and beg for God’s mercy for their failures to be like Him and for His help to be more like Him.
But whether the moment we choose to remember is from the written Word of God or some personal experience within the heart … let us “examine” ourselves … compare ourselves with our Lord, seeking His grace for our lack and His strength for our longing.
December 30, 2007 at 7:57 pm
It’s not always easy to examine myself. Sometimes I let myself get away with too much, other times I’m way too hard on myself. I have to clear my head and try to think honestly … looking at me through Jesus’ eyes. Even though I never personally walked with Jesus, I have my own moments with Him that I remember.
I remember the moment that I first realized that He could give me Joy … which would keep my life from being a roller coaster. I was at a gospel meeting in Seminole, Texas.
I remember crying out to Him to please, please, please give me some relief from my hurting heart. I was on the bathroom floor of my house in Lubbock, Texas.
I remember the moment I realized I wanted to live and that I wanted Him to help me. I was on an icy road in St. Louis, Missouri.
And I remember Him running to meet me … inviting me to have supper with Him again … my prodigal feast. I was at Kingdom Seekers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
All of these moments are moments that changed my walk with Him. Moments that He gave me to show me He was real. My moments with Jesus … that make Him personal to me. Moments I remember when I eat supper with Him … moments I know are real that I can use as a measuring stick when I start to feel a little out of balance.