Are we all here

Scripture Reading 11:17-34

33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

Observation

This part of first Corinthians again Paul touches of the area of the Lord’s Supper. What we call today communion was to the early church a significant part of their worship and religious practice. One of the events that they ran was ‘Agape’ meals. These were communal meals where each person brought what they could to share. It was a wonderful time when as equals in Christ, slave and free could all share together. Now the slave had little in anything to add to the meal, the free however could bring much to the table. What was happening however, was that these ‘love feasts’ were tuning out to be a bit over the top. These feasts were far from loving with some going home full to the top and others going home hungry. Quite possibly those who miss out were the slaves who could only arrive once their days work was done.

Paul urges that they love one another! The theme is ringing loud and clear, over these last few passages, love! Love! Love! BE one body, be independent, and here share, care for each other, don’t start eating before every one is there! Don’t fill yourself up when others will miss out! This is meant to be a feast of love, it is love alone that people should leave full of!

Application

Where are you filling up when others go hungry? How can you love someone more today?

Prayer

God of all, I confess I do not always get it right, help me to be a person who gives abundantly the love that comes from you.