Rightly Discerning Jesus’ Body

But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. -1 Corinthians 11:28-30

Writing to the believers at the Corinthian church, Paul says, “Many in the church are weak, sickly and sleeping.”

What does Paul mean? Some definitions will help us understand. The word weak indicates being without strength, infirmed, feeble, impotent, diseased and sick. A sickly person is one whose strength has failed through disease. Paul is talking about physical problems in this Scripture. And when he refers to those who are sleeping, he is talking about the “sleep” of death.

So, Paul is actually saying in this verse, “For this reason, many are physically sick and even dying early.”

What is the reason Paul is referring to? He’s discussing the Lord’s Supper. In verse 29, he says, “For he that eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Weymouth’s translation says, “…if he fails to estimate the body right.” Wuest’s translation says, “…if he does not properly evaluate the body.” The Living Bible puts it this way: “…not thinking about the body of Christ and what it means.” Finally, The Modern Language Bible says, “…without due appreciation of the body.”

This is the only place in the Bible where Paul says, “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” Apparently, it’s important to understand how to rightly discern, estimate, evaluate and appreciate the body of Jesus Christ.

CONFESSION:

I rightly discern Jesus’ body, broken for my physical healing. I appreciate and appropriate the healing Jesus purchased for me.

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999