I would like to see us address one thing right up front. Some people think the Scriptures say that if you do this meal wrong, you could die because of that mistake in proper performance or mental chastisement.
If you feel this way....... Why? Have you ever seen anyone drop dead because of this? And, to you, what IS meant by doing that ritual improperly?
Yes, the Bible says God punishes sin, and taking the Lords Supper in an unworthy manner is sinning against the body and blood of Christ. It's like this, if you do not have the intention of getting baptized, and are immersed in water, then you only get wet. Otherwise anyone who jumps into a pool is baptized- so baptism without proper intention is not baptism.
In the same way, if you take the Lords Supper without the proper intention, it won't work for the intended purpose. This includes absent mindedly eating and drinking without thinking about Christ on the cross and self examiniantion. Or you didn't pass your self-examination, and partake of it anyways.
Passing self-examination- Everyone sins, yet there are the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous might visit sin, but they no longer live in sin. You know the difference between visiting somewhere and living there. If you are living as a drunkard for example, and have given no effort to stop, then it's not like you got drunk one night, you get drunk every night, and have for years without fail- you are living in sin. A Christian grows in Christ, they stop sinning. If you sin the same amount, or more, then you are living in sin and not growing in Christ.
If you take the Lords Supper without agreeing that you are walking the narrow road, that's like an alchoholic bring beer to an AA meeting with the intention of getting drunk there. It's like a prostitute going to the cross to commit acts right in front of Him, while smearing His blood on herself saying, "You got me covered for this sin right?" It is blasphemy!
The Lords Supper is for those who are anti-sin, but make a mistake once in a while, but are trying not to sin. It is not for those who are pro-sin, who live to please their own desires instead of to please God. The Bible says that for those who sin purposely like this, that there no longer remains a sacrifice for their sins. They will have to pass judgment day on their own merit and blood, not on Christ's merit or blood.
This is what I think of when I take the Lords Supper...
I remember my Covenant of baptism with Him. How innocent, pure, and clean I felt. How my relationship with God that had been broken by sin was now repaired by Christ. I remember how much I love God and don't want to hurt Him by sinning, and I agree that I have not moved/changed from that position/goal, but is just as strong within me as it was the day I was baptized, and that my growth proves that by progress- by decreasing sins in my life, and growing in Christ.
Then I imagine being at the cross in tears. Blood gets on my cheek from hugging the cross, then I kiss His feet, and blood is on my lips. I look at another Christian, on their knees and in tears- like the look Rose gave that other girl right before the titanic completely sank. I gather a "Lords Supper cup" full of blood dripping down the cross, and stand and peel off the tip of one of His fingernails, and put both on a tray, then fall to my knees.
I look at the other Christian (who to me represents all other Christians), and they shake their head "no". I say "We must", then they slowly shake their head "yes". I look to the tray on the ground, and the blood in the cup turned to grape juice, and the fingernail turned into a cracker. I take a bite and a sip, then pass them the tray. Then I go back to clinging to His cross and close my eyes, while tears roll down my face. I know it seems a lot to picture in such a short time, but it happens kinda fast in my mind.