It is a great sadness, the realization that millions of people, young and old alike, do not know the meaning of the observance of the Lord's evening meal. Even among Bible students there are many that can remember word for word what is written about this meal, and yet its life-giving teaching is often missed or misunderstood.

The bread, it is just bread. The wine, it is just wine. But what they symbolize is of the utmost importance. But to gather together year after year solely for tradition     makes such observances good for nothing. Neither Jesus nor his anointed brothers are ritualistic. In fact, Jesus himself spoke of the sort of people that hold fast to many traditions. He said: "This people honours me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me."  (Matt 15:8).

To understand the reason for the apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian congregation, please read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22. Paul was making it known to them that even though anointed Christians were present in that congregation, it was not possible for them to partake of this meal. Why? Because they were a divided congregation, and the Lords' evening meal signifies Christian unity.  (11:20).

What was brought to Paul's attention was disunity. Some members were comparatively well off, while their brothers were so hungry that they went to this meal as they would to any other, to satisfy their hunger. Others proved they despised the congregation of God by arriving in a state of intoxication. Thus they brought shame upon those in want, as well as themselves. If they were truly to become a congregation of God, there certainly could not be such selfishness among them as to cause some of their brothers to go hungry.

A congregation in that condition is greatly divided. There should be unity, with no one lacking the basic necessities of life. Further, and not to misunderstand what is meant: If among your spiritual brothers and sisters you discover someone truly in need, and you do not help them, but merely offer them your economic experience, then you are meddling and not walking orderly in the faith. (2 Thess 3:11. James 2:14-18). Congregational provision should be made available to all those in need.

There is nothing wrong with being well off, except, when through no fault of their own, your brothers and sisters continue to be in need of sufficient food or shelter or covering or spirituality or love. (Read 11:27). "Consequently whoever eats the loaf or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily" by disregarding genuine need when it is in one's power to help "will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord."  Does this also apply to Christians who only observe? Yes, of course it does. (Matt 25:45,46). Otherwise, what are they observing, and why?  For it is only bread.  It is only wine.

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