Complete English translation
"So whoever in a way that is not worthy of eating the bread or drinking the cup of God sins against the body and blood of God..."
Therefore, many of you are weak and sick, and not a few die.
1 Corinthians 11:27, 30
Curse Table
I met teachers and even churches who use this verse to instill fear, so that the Holy Communion is limited to a little. Maybe to avoid the "curse." They try to keep the holiness of the Lord's table by keeping it away from the congregation by holding Holy Communion only once a year. However, does this kind of fear reflect God's heart? Did Paul mean to make the table of fellowship as a gripping judgment table, or an invitation to love from Jesus?
Let's see the truth of God's Word...
Context from Paul's Letter to the Church in Corinth
The congregation in Corinth is a divided congregation of God, filled with contradictions and various problems. Because of that, Paul wrote a long letter to them to return their understanding to the true heart of God.
At the beginning of his letter, Paul clearly explains that the meaning of Jesus breaking bread is that we all are one body, which is the Body of Christ.
"... Isn't the bread that we break fellowship with the body of Christ? Because the bread is one, then we, even if there are many, are one body, because we all get a share in the bread that is one." - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 so, what problem did Paul try to solve in Corinth?
When God's people gather to eat together, what happens is not unity as one body, but division. Some people want to present themselves as a person who is abundantly blessed. They bring luxurious food and enjoy it themselves, even until drunk. Thus, they show an attitude of feeling higher than other congregations. Meanwhile, there are other congregations who are starving because they do not get enough food.
"Because at that banquet everyone ate his own food first, so that one was hungry and the other was drunk. Don't you have your own house to eat and drink? Or will you humiliate the Church of Allah and shame people- a person who has nothing?" - 1 Corinthians 11:21-22 god who is patient but doesn't let Himself be played. God really understands human weaknesses, so He is patient in facing various human behaviors. However, there are things that are not tolerated by Him, especially regarding the principle and symbolism of redemption.
An example is the death of Aaron's children who did not use the fire from the altar—which symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus in the cross as the purification of human sins. Likewise, with Ananias and Safira. Even though they intend to give for God's work, they do not understand that the Holy Spirit has been present and working in the midst of His Church. These stories show that God is very serious about things related to holiness and the meaning of redemption. And one more thing that was reminded by Jesus himself, which is, "Don't be a stumbling block for others, and this includes teaching what is wrong about God's love."
The Holy Communion is our New Covenant with God. Through Jesus, we can enjoy the blessing from the Father, which is fellowship with Him. Therefore, Jesus himself said:
1. This is the new covenant, My blood that is shed for you. 2. Remember Me by celebrating this banquet. 3. Every time you drink it. The Greek word used is "hosakis," which means "as often as possible."
It turns out that when the Word of God is misinterpreted, teachers and even the church actually limit the Lord's supper to be avoided as often as possible, even though Jesus' command was to be done as often as possible.
"... but change by the renewal of your mind (your thoughts / metanoia = change your mind, turn away) so that you can distinguish what is the will of God..."
Conclusion: Table of Agreement, Not Fear
Paul's reprimand is not intended for those who feel "unworthy" morally, but for those who act "unworthy" with destroying love and unity (ignoring each other). When blessings are used to boast and humiliate others at God's Table, that's when the banquet is lost. The meaning. God's table is the place where all status differences are erased by His blood. Don't let human tradition keep you away from God's Table. Holy Communion is an invitation for those who are thirsty and hungry for love—His, a fortress of refuge where He declares that you are His forever.