If You Eat Like That, Some Will Be Left With Nothing

"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, EACH ONE takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1Corinthians 11:17-22)

The Thanksgiving Day gathering is near. After preparation for the meal is complete, all gathered wait for the go ahead to partake. Normally, the one in charge of preparing the table is also the one that gives the permission to begin eating. Everyone at the gathering waits for that permission, yet once permission is granted, each partakes as they desire. Some like dark turkey meat, others like 

cranberries; some like mashed potatoes, others like the turkey dressing. It is understood, each enjoys according to their individual tastes. There also are differences with regard to how people eat: some slowly, others quickly. Without question, once the meal has been prepared, there is very little regard to what another is doing. Each one is focuses on what they want, at their speed. Nevertheless, the one who has prepared the table seems to notice what each one eats and how much of any dish is left over.

It is evident that Paul is admonishing the Corinthian church that partaking of the Lord's Supper should be different than physically eating a meal. It seems he is stressing the importance of partaking worthily, rather than unworthily. There are those who enter church having made themselves ready for it. There are those who enter in unprepared. They have not learned how yet, or are handling what they have learned without devotion. I think Paul is showing the Corinthians that we don't want to discard those who are not yet ready for the Bread of God, the Living Bread. He teaches us how to provide the way for readiness through the keys of the kingdom (Mark 11:22-26; Luke 17:1-6; John 15:1-8). The results will be fewer leaving the gathering with nothing.

"Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgement." (1 Corinthians 11:27-33)

He Who Enters By The Door Is The Shepherd Of The Sheep

John 9:39-41, 10:1-16

"For judgement I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind. Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, 'Are we blind also?' Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains."

" 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But HE WHO ENTERS BY THE DOOR is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet THEY WILL BY NO MEANS FOLLOW A STRANGER, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which Jesus spoke to them."

"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay My life down for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."


Jesus draws distinction between the hireling and the good shepherd. The substance of the hireling is "We see!", similar to "We already know!".  That sentiment is what causes those in the church age to "climb up another way". Rest in the fact that He, Jesus Christ, knows the way because He forged it to the glory of His Father. The substance of the shepherd is "Lord! Show us how to walk to and through your door!”

Give Attention To His Words

"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Recently, as a result of a consideration to advance the ministry to which I feel called (you know, to help God in that which He needs 

none), I was sitting in front of an establishment, readying myself to enter for hot morning drinks for my wife and myself. I was recognizing that what I thought might have been a good idea was just another confidence in the flesh, a transgression. Sharper than any two-edged sword, the Most High spoke to me by His indwelling Spirit:

My words are a light unto YOUR path;
My words are a lamp unto YOUR feet;
My words are life to YOU as YOU find them;
My words are health to all YOUR flesh.(Especially to that flesh that could launch out to what seems reasonable, instead of letting Him add it to you.)

I sensed the Lord saying that His Body is called to the same path He walked. It is important to be made just like Him. He is the door to the Father and to the sheepfold. Going up some other way makes you a thief and a robber, harming the sheep.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant (self-controlled, watchful) because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the TRUE GRACE of God in which you stand."  (1 Peter 5:6-12)

In the true grace of God is the place to be.