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The theme for our reflection is “Don’t despise others” To despise someone means to feel a strong dislike for someone because you think that that person is bad or has no value. Don’t despise others means do not have a dislike for others or treat them with contempt because you think they are of no value. We shall reflect on the fact that:
1. Despising others brings division into the Church.
2. Despising others is an abominable sin against the church and God.

Firstly, despising others brings division into the church or among the fellowship of believers. Paul observed that during the Lord’s Supper, the upper class and wealthy people despised the poor in the Church of Corinth. The wealthy and upper class separated themselves from the poor or lower class people to observe their Lord’s Supper. They despise others and refuse to share with them. Paul condemned their attitude when he wrote, “In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. ¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. ²⁰ So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, ²¹ for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:18-21). In other words, the Lord’s Supper loses its importance immediately when it is observed in the spirit of division and contempt for others. It become an ordinary meal. A meal of love cannot be observed with a scornful heart and divisive spirit. Dear friend, when we despise others we create division in our congregations and encourage classism. The Lord’s Supper brings us together and does not divide us. It is for this reason we all drink and feed on the same body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, in some congregations, we give preferential treatment to some people because of their wealth and social status and subtly treat the poor and underprivileged with contempt through our actions and inaction. In some Churches, even the order in which the Lord’s Supper is observed is another form of classism and division. In some congregations, the pastor or leaders eat the Lord’s Supper first, followed by the catechist, presbyters and the pastor’s spouse. When they are done, then those who have had their marriage blessed will follow before the unmarried and others join. This order of observing the Holy Communion or Lord’s Supper is not Biblical but humanely created. Jesus never established any particular order of observing the Holy Communion when He instituted it. Jesus does not invite us in any particular order when he says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) Let us eschew all forms of classism and division in the house of God for Jesus underscored the importance of unity among believers when He prayed “…that all of them may be one…” (John 17:21). The psalmist emphasised the importance of unity among believers when he wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!… For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (Psalms 133:1,3). The Church remains blessed when there is unity and love among believers.

Beloved in the Lord, we must not despise others because doing so is an abominable sin against the church and God. Paul again condemned those who despise others when he wrote, “Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! (1 Corinthians 11:22). It is important to note that the terminology “Church” does not refer to a building but a fellowship of believers. It is for this reason we believe that the Church is a living organism. How can the Church of God grow healthy when people experience humiliation from others who think highly of themselves. How can the Church develop when some people feel unwanted, unappreciated and despised by some who think they are better than others. It is very important to understand that anyone who despises others in the house of the Lord is an enemy of the church and God. It is in this context Paul wrote “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) Again, Jesus warned us against despising others when He said, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22) Let not despise others in the house of God for it is an abominable sin against the Church and God. We must allow the unconditional love of Christ to prevail among us and always culminate in the sharing and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Communion, Eucharist or Lord’s Supper reminds us that “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith” (Romans 3:23-25). Dear friend, we are all sinners saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, therefore, let no one despise the other.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Don’t despise others” We have discovered that despising others brings division into the Church. Again, despising others is an abominable sin against the church and God. May the Holy Spirit enable us to live in love and perfect harmony even as we continue to observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus’ unconditional love for us.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit heal us and strengthen us to overcome the spirit of contempt and division in our congregations. May we never despise others but be the source of unity and love in our congregations even as we continue to observe the Lord’s Supper through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.