Monday
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 1 Corinthians 11:17
When those who follow Jesus meet together it should always be a time of worship, because we gather in his name. So, if when we meet our thoughts are full of things that are unworthy of Christ, and when our actions go against the teaching of scripture how can we bring honour and glory to God? When such thoughts and actions are at the expense of someone else we are harming the fellowship. Let us pray that when we gather it would be centred only on Jesus and his teachings.
Tuesday
In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 1 Corinthians 11:18
A common problem in many churches is division, little groups that have their own agenda. Of course, it doesn’t always mean the difficulties in the church are severe, more often it is just a rumbling or dis ease within the community. However it shows itself it is not good. When we gather, we do so to praise and glorify the Lord. And we should resist anything that undermines or detracts from that praise. Let us pray for protection from division and dissent in our churches.
Wednesday
for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 1 Corinthians 11:21
Our verse today is again pointing out our behaviour in the presence of other believers. It is quite natural, within the failing of human nature, that we will not get on with everyone equally, but that does not mean that we should discriminate against those we don’t get on with or treat them unfairly. We are all a part of the family of God let us therefore show the love God shows us to each other. Let us pray for one another and work to love one another.
Thursday
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
The communion meal is a wonderful reminder of what God has done for us. The bread is the symbol of Christ’s body nailed to a Roman cross even though he had done no wrong. It is so important that we remember the magnitude of what Jesus has done for us and this wonderful meal is an important way in which we can do this. Of course, there are different traditions on how the meal is conducted and even what the bread and wine represent, but above all of that is the simple fact that we are called to remember. Let us pray that we would do just that.
Friday
In 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. 1 Corinthians 11:25
The cup of wine represents the blood of Christ shed because of our sin. It is a symbol of the new promise that God has made to those who turn away from their sin and choose to follow him. It is an eternal promise. For Christ’s death on the cross was for all sin for all people, for all time. It is in his death on the cross that Jesus enables us to stand before God clean and righteous. We cannot add to it, for it is all sufficient. That is something truly worth celebrating and remembering. Let us praise God for his grace, mercy and love.
Saturday
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28
It is so easy to go through the motions with the traditions of church. This is why Paul reminds us in this passage to examine ourselves. To make sure that our motives, our hearts, are right before God as we share in this wonderful sacrament. To come with unconfessed sin, or while harbouring a grudge against someone else dishonours God. Let us pray that we would remember to set ourselves right when we come before our Saviour.
Sunday
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26
This wonderful meal may not fill our stomachs or quench our physical thirst but it does sustain us in our spirit. And when we share it we not only identify ourselves with Christ but we also declare Jesus as Lord of all. We also recognise that we are in a time of waiting. That this meal is not for all eternity but until Christ returns. Let us pray, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.
