the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29.
Self-examination is necessary always, ever day and every hour. Least of all must it be neglected at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper or postponed until a more convenient season. At communion it is altogether indispensable and so essential and necessary that life and death, blessing and curse, grace and judgment, are dependent upon it. According to St. Paul, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, without self-examination, or (which to him is essentially the same) receiving it ’’unworthily," results in severe judgments, and he refers to facts and examples from his own time, showing how such unworthy celebration had caused many to incur bodily and spiritual weakness, disease, and death itself. Thus the Lord chastises those who without self-examination thoughtlessly and unworthily receive that body which He sacrificed in death for them, and the precious blood which He shed for them; they do not "discern" the difference between His body and common food. Do not bring disease upon yourself; do not eat judgment and death in the Lord’s supper; you may as easily find death there as you may find life and salvation. Strong food is not for the sick; it only makes them still more ill and miserable; it may even kill them. The sick should by no means eat the same food as the well. That which furthers the health of the healthy and serves them for nourishment and strength, becomes poison and death to the sick. Beware therefore, lest by your thoughtlessness and impiety you change that food of eternal life, that divine bread, that heavenly manna, into judgment and damnation. Prove yourself; examine yourself. Pray for light and self-knowledge. Confess and acknowledge your sins before God and before your offended neighbor. Mend the offence you have given as far as you are able; at least do not give new offense by a thoughtless and disorderly life when you draw near to the holy table. Reconcile yourself to God, to your neighbor and to your own heart. Seek to re-establish peace within and without. Make it manifest in an unequivocal manner that you are in earnest as to your penitence, conversion, faith and betterment. Show that you know and feel to whom you draw near, namely the righteous God, who has eyes as flames of fire and who tries the hearts and reins, who knows the secret designs of your heart.
O God unseen, yet ever near.
Thy presence may we feel;
And thus, inspired with holy fear,
Before Thine altar kneel.
Here may Thy faithful people know
The blessings of Thy love;
The streams that through the desert flow.
The manna from above.
