A common meme on the internet goes something like this: “This may come as a shock to you, but let me let you in on a little secret: Everything isn’t about you!”

As we close-out the apostle Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper, those words seem somewhat appropriate.

Here’s what I mean. Our normal approach to celebrating communion is to emphasize self-examination. We are almost always encouraged to look within, and to reflect on our personal relationship with Jesus.

We’re Protestants, and we don’t believe Jesus is mystically present in the elements; but we can act as if He is in our introspection.

Now I’m not saying we can’t or shouldn’t reflect upon our hearts at the Lord’s Supper. But Paul’s emphasis throughout his teaching on communion has been corporate, not individual. He has been concerned with our attitude toward others.

He described communion as an activity that proclaims we are the corporate body of Jesus.
He spoke of the elements as proclaiming the Lord’s death to onlookers, as a public testimony, not as a private devotion.

In fact the problem that the believers in Corinth were experiencing at the Lord’s Supper was due to them thinking too much about themselves, and not enough about others.

We might summarize what we’re getting at by saying, “Communion isn’t about you.”

The two verses that end chapter eleven focus your attention one last time on the others at the table.

1Co 11:33  Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

“Brethren” “come together.” Nothing is more supernaturally natural than for believers to meet together.

At first, it is mostly about you that you meet together. You need to get grounded in God’s Word. You need the encouragement of other believers.

As an example, think of the Day of Pentecost. Thousands of Jews were saved responding to Peter’s preaching. They had traveled to Jerusalem as pilgrims to attend the feast. Once saved, they desired to stay, in order to learn about Jesus from those disciples of His who had been with Him. Local believers therefore opened up their homes to lodge these pilgrims.

There can come a point when a believer thinks that he or she might not require meeting together – at least, not so often. After all, I’m a Christian; I’ve been reading the Word for some time; my attending meetings of the church doesn’t seem as necessary for me.

You’re not backslidden… You’re not apathetic… You’re just not as enthusiastic as you once were.

It’s a dangerous place for a lot of reasons. But let’s stick with our context.

Isn’t it necessary to gather together for others? When you needed them, mature believers were there to minister to you. If you’re mature and grounded, you are needed to minister to those who are not.

“Church isn’t about you!” It’s about Jesus, and about you ministering to others.

(Now the truth is, you still need ministry, too; but I think you understand what I’m saying).

The “eating” Paul talks about was not the communion elements, but rather the self-indulging that the wealthier believers were doing at the meal preceding communion. Instead of choking-it down, they were to “wait for one another.”

Whether it’s eating at the pot-luck, or being seated in church, or anything really, we should “wait” for others. We should prefer others, and give-up our food or our place for them – especially if we know they are needy.

Another way we can “wait” is by being either on-time or early if we are given a task to perform. Or by pitching-in to help even when it’s not our responsibility.

This isn’t what the word “wait” means, but I think it’s applicable to say I should slow down, look around, to see if there is someone I can minister to.

Do you know everyone you see on a Sunday morning? Wait for one another by introducing yourself. It isn’t the job of the Greeters.

In fact, we ought to be trying to put the Greeter’s Ministry out-of-business.

(Don’t worry; we’re not going to do that. But that’s the idea. In one sense we shouldn’t need designated Greeters since we are all to greet one another).

1Co 11:34  But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

I think by using the word “hungry” Paul was emphasizing that the pot-luck preceding communion (which historically has been called the Love Feast) was not an integral part of the celebration. Rather than risk abusing the pot-luck, come without an appetite by eating at home.

Again we note that this is teaching that what happens at the table is not about you. Your needs in terms of food are subordinate to those of others.

Eventually someone has to go first… If it is you, be cognizant of those coming behind you. Take realistic portions, to insure those behind you have something.

“Lest you come together for judgment” reminds us that, in Corinth, some were weak, and some were sick, and some were dying, because of their atrocious behavior indulging themselves to the detriment of others.

“And the rest I will set in order when I come.” Bummer. What nuggets of practical and spiritual truth are captured by that promise? What else would Paul have said about the Lord’s Supper and its celebration? What are we missing?

Well, in one sense, we’re not missing a thing. We understand that the revelation we have been given in God’s Word is all we require for life and for godliness. Still, it would have been great for Paul to put them in writing for us.

On the plus side, it reminds us of something we emphasized at the beginning of this series on the Lord’s Supper. We have been given a freedom in how we celebrate it, and as to how often. All churches, throughout all of history, and in every geography, have the framework in the Bible, e.g., Paul’s teaching here.

We are free within guidelines to experience the Lord’s Supper in our own way – so long as it is honoring to the Lord.

The more of Paul’s teaching we had, the more we’d be confined to his framework.

It’s hard to enjoy our freedom. We’d almost rather be told what to do, when it comes to church stuff. But then our worship would grow mechanical, not remain alive.

Be thankful for our freedom in Jesus. Let us come together, right now, as members of a body, to proclaim the Lord’s death til He comes.