There is an aspect of the Lord’s Supper that I think needs some clarification. The part I am referring to is the idea of partaking of the Lord’s Supper “unworthily.” What exactly did Paul have in mind when he said, “whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?” (1 Cor. 11:27). I have had people come to me with deep concern about whether they should partake of the Lord’s Supper on certain occasions, fearing that they would be partaking “unworthily,” because they had a struggle with some sin in their life. This is a legitimate concern. Who wants to engage in a holy ceremony in an unholy way, be “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,” and “drink damnation upon himself!?” I think I can see at least a part of the reason why the average church goer feels this way…

Typically, the pastor stands before his congregation (I’m coming at this from a Baptist background, where the Lord’s Supper occurs once a month or so and fills up the good part of a whole service) and rightly encourages his parishioners to “examine” themselves to make sure their life is order before God and that they are “worthy” to partake. The pastor soberly recommends this, in obedience to the Scriptures, indicating that there may be or probably is at least someone in the room who will fail to do partake in a worthy manner. At the very least it indicates that everyone present may be tempted to eat unworthily, otherwise there’s no need for the admonition. The room is most likely filled with average people: not violent gang bangers or hardened criminals. There isn’t usually a catalog of what kinds of sins or behaviors would serve as a checklist as to whether someone is “worthy” or not. 

Then you put on top of this the consideration: “Well, actually, who is even worthy to eat with Jesus anyways!?” I know me, and I know that I am not worthy to sit at the table of Jesus. If anything I’d be the slave who washes the feet of the people who come to dine with Jesus. I’m reminded of Abigail when David sent to marry her, she “bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” If she felt this way about David, how much more she we feel unworthy to eat at his table like we’re an equal with him! 

So, put all of that together, and it’s understandable that you have people in the church who struggle with some kind of sin – short temper, lust, gossip, laziness, etc. – just like everyone in the church does, who fears that they might be bringing damnation upon themselves for eating the cracker and drinking the juice. 

Now, I’d like to offer what I think is the right perspective. 

First, the fact that someone is being sensitive to the Spirit and concerned that they might be displeasing the Lord is a MAJOR indication that they ARE worthy to dine with Jesus. What does the Lord require of us? “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). “A broken and a contrite God will not despise” (Psalm 51). If you are coming to the table with humility and a repentant heart – regardless of what your besetting sin is – then you are coming in a worthy manner. The truly unworthy person who is not going to stress themselves out over whether they are following the Scriptures to a “t” or not. They will brashly take what they can get from God and the church. 

Secondly, on what basis are we relying to be worthy? Are we considering whether we have been “good enough” or not throughout the week? Do you feel like you’ll only be worthy if you overcome that pestering, besetting sin? Remember the Gospel!!! Our only worthiness to have any accessibility to God only comes through Christ – Christ alone! Not Christ and my goodness. We are welcomed into God’s favorable presence because of Christ. We are received as God’s children because we are born again by the Spirit of God. We are washed of our sins because of Christ. The only thing that makes us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper is Christ! In every way our access to Christ is conditional only by repentance and faith, but as long as we have that posture then we are worthy!!!

Thirdly, the context reveals to us specifically the “unworthy” behavior Paul had in mind. Verses 18 & 19 Paul chides the Corinthians for tolerating “divisions” and “heresies,” which both refer not to doctrinal impurity, but behavioral deficiency. One of the chief purposes of the Lord’s Supper is to highlight the unity that we have in Christ! We are “one body and one bread.” The broken body of Christ is the spiritual gluten (the Corinthians must have been a gluten free assembly – sorry, I had to) that holds very different people together in love. BUT, instead, the Corinthians decided to use this observance as a wonderful opportunity to display their selfishness and pride.

One faction in the church would get the scoop on when and where the “love feast” would occur. They would show up to the party early, eat all the food and get drunk on the wine before everyone else showed up. This is even more egregious when you think that their society didn’t have a welfare system like we do, there was a much more sharp contrast between the poor and higher social classes. This communal meal was probably a highlight for many people – a true feast – and for others who were poor it may actually have been the only meal that they would have eaten that day. Paul then enters into the narrative of when the Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper: the sweet, serene setting where the Lord washed his disciples feet and then sat surrounded by his disciples. This was the night before his passion. He would be “broken” for them and shed his blood for them. Every time in the future they would gather to remember their Lord they would remember that night. They would recall with vivid memory the day following as well – his love, his blood, his cries, his agony, for them, for them all. 

Now, imagine people trying to use this memorial as an opportunity for the flesh. I can see any one of the apostles busting into that assembly with fire in their eyes, “Do you have any idea what you are doing!!! I was there when he washed my feet! When he suffered on that cross! He died for us! And you have the nerve to shame your brethren, steal all the food, get drunk on the wine, and arrogantly divide into factions amongst one another!!! And instead of being remorseful you glory in your sins and double down in your pride! The Lord is going to bring judgment on you for taking his name in vain!” This is what I see going on here in Corinth, and how I imagine Paul speaking to them. 

So, what does it mean to eat and drink “unworthily?” I think we have a strong case to argue that an unworthy participant is someone who is proud in their sins, who has no humility or repentance over their sins; someone who doesn’t have a desire for unity and has no problem being at odds with others in the church and who will use others in the church for their own gain. If that’s you, then yes, do not assume that Jesus wants to eat a meal with you, because he doesn’t. He wants you to put down your gift at the altar and go be reconciled with your brother first. God will not be mocked – mess with his church and you’ll pay. 

However, if you are a Christian struggling with your sin, and even being often overcome with it to one degree or another, but you hate your sin and confess it to God, let these promises wash over you, my dear brother or sister, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7,9). As soon as you confess your sins you are instantaneously and fully forgiven by your loving, heavenly Father. He says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already forgiven you. Come and dine.” The blood of Jesus is your worthiness to come to his table. 
Now, all of that being said, when you do approach the Table, you should examine yourself. It is a wonderful moment – probably the best moment – for God’s people to do some introspection, and allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Every Christian should leave the Lord’s Supper with joy in their hearts because they were all encouraged specifically to “do business” with their God. There is a need to reason with Christians to realize how devastating sin is and there are times to highlight the urgency of repenting of it. But I have sensed the need to give my brothers and sisters relief on this particular issue. If you’re a church leader, maybe consider covering this with your congregation at some point. God bless you in your walk with God and may your next experience at the Lord’s Supper be extra special!!!