Here's your daily devotional!

If you wish to receive these free devotionals every weekday by E-mail, click the button below. Note: you'll have to log in or create your membership account first. Membership in the League is free. Join now!

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

“Somber and Sad, or a Reason to Celebration?”

Thoughts for Today:

Paul had spent the better part of eighteen months living among and teaching within the Corinthian community. Yet, over the last five years things had changed dramatically. The agape feast (which Paul had established for the Corinthians to share common meals and participate together in the Lord's Supper), had become nothing more than a drunken party. They had turned communion into a meal where those who were financially well-off had plenty to eat, while those who were not, went hungry. This obviously was not the type of unity demonstrated at the first Lord's Supper. And it certainly wasn't the kind of behavior Jesus intended for His followers to observe during communion.

Paul asks, "Don't you have homes to eat and drink in?" He's really saying the observance of communion should focus on the sacrificial offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ for us, not on food and drink. It's why churches today usually take just a symbolic amount of juice and bread, rather than a full meal.

Questions to Ponder:

To some degree, it is unfortunate that Communion has taken on the appearance of a very somber and sad event. Why? I think it's because of our focus on the pain and the sacrifice, rather than on the victory. Do you think that's what Jesus intended? We are totally free from the power and penalty for sin; shouldn't that be a cause for celebration?

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.

You can start from Day 1 at any time. Messages are sent automatically. Subscribe now! You may unsubscribe at any time.

About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.