For I received what I...
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"For I received what I passed on to you." Thus reads the apostle Paul's familiar Last
Supper introduction. Paul reviewed bread and cup symbolism not simply to bring to the
Corinthians' minds that the bread represented Jesus' body and the cup his blood. Those
details were elementary (ABCs) of faith. All first-century Christians knew about that
Passover meal Jesus shared with the twelve. All the gospels related those facts, and
disciples probably retold them weekly, if not daily.
The fact that Paul began the section with the word "For" makes us take notice. Also key: Paul's reminder that it was on the "night he was betrayed" Jesus instituted the Supper.
Recall that Paul began chapter 11 by excoriating the Corinthians for their divisions at Communion services, namely their lack of concern for hungry brothers and sisters. I think he used Jesus' selfless example to teach the Corinthians this: If Jesus could think of others on the night he was betrayed -- the day before he knew he would die -- his followers should be thinking of others and not just themselves at communion time.
The Lord meant us to share in a love feast. If we despise the woman across the aisle from us and disdain the brother two pews ahead of us, the Lord might not be communing with us regardless of whether we can envision Jesus' body and blood.
The fact that Paul began the section with the word "For" makes us take notice. Also key: Paul's reminder that it was on the "night he was betrayed" Jesus instituted the Supper.
Recall that Paul began chapter 11 by excoriating the Corinthians for their divisions at Communion services, namely their lack of concern for hungry brothers and sisters. I think he used Jesus' selfless example to teach the Corinthians this: If Jesus could think of others on the night he was betrayed -- the day before he knew he would die -- his followers should be thinking of others and not just themselves at communion time.
The Lord meant us to share in a love feast. If we despise the woman across the aisle from us and disdain the brother two pews ahead of us, the Lord might not be communing with us regardless of whether we can envision Jesus' body and blood.
