Holy Thursday
The Facts of Faith:
The Lord’s Supper
1 Cor. 11:23-32
17 April 2014 – Redeemer
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Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism is beautiful for its simplicity.
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? The words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation.
We have four accounts of the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. Two of those are eye-witness accounts – Matthew and Mark. Two are written down from the testimony of eye-witnesses – Luke interviewed those who were present and Paul heard it retold by Jesus Himself. They then wrote down what they received. The facts are these – on Thursday night before the Passover Sabbath, Jesus gathered his disciples in a room to celebrate the Passover meal. During that meal Jesus took the unleavened bread, gave thanks to His Father, and distributed the bread among His disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is My body, which is given for you.” Later, during the same meal, as a common cup of wine was being shared among the disciples He said, “Take, drink, this is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” He concluded instituting the Lord’s Supper by saying, “This do as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”
Saint Luke and Saint John fill in some other facts about that night. The facts reveal that after three years of catechesis with Jesus the disciples aren’t ready to be confirmed. Saint Luke tells us that in the midst of that evening the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest. When Jesus revealed that one of them was about to betray him – each of the disciples thought himself capable of such betrayal. “Is it I Lord? John, ask Him who it is?” Each thought he was the greatest and each thought himself capable of falling away.
It is a fact that these men who would soon become the first graduating seminary class were weak and feeble excuses for disciples soon to be apostles. That fact did not prevent Jesus from serving them His Supper, His service and making use of them as His mouth in the body of Christ.
All of those facts should help you to believe more firmly that we indeed have an accurate and reliable record to the events of that night. If the disciples conjured up this “Jesus religion” over a few home brews in Peter’s basement they certainly would have painted themselves in a better light. If they were passing off a lie they would have crafted the story with solid faith and humble service on their part. Instead any unbiased reader is left wondering if these were the best guys for the job and knowing that if this Kingdom of God is going to spread it will rest entirely upon Jesus.
Faith believes the Words of Jesus. Take. Eat. This (bread) is (is means is) my body given for you. Take. Drink. This cup (of wine) is (is means is) the New Testament in my blood. You have to change the Words of Jesus if you don’t believe it is His body and blood. Take your Sharpie and blot out “is” or erase it until you wear through the paper of your Bible, but then know it is no longer God’s Word – it’s your Word and I’m sorry that just will not do, because faith believes that Jesus’ Word delivers what it says. This is the body and blood of Christ – the same body and blood conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, the same body and blood baptized by John in the Jordan, the same body and blood arrested by the guards and nailed to the cross, the same body and blood that bore our sin and God’s wrath unto death, the same body and blood that Mary Magdalene hugged and doubting Thomas touched, and that the apostles had shore lunch with, the same body and blood that ascended into heaven and sits in power at God’s right hand. In all seriousness that body and blood is a mouthful.
His body and blood are given and shed for us for the forgiveness of sins. We believe that with His body and blood under the bread and wine we receive the fruit of His cross. His death on that dead tree brought forth the fruit of life – hence His resurrection and hence the forgiveness of our sins, everlasting life, and salvation from death and the devil.
Faith believes these simple truths. You want to meet Jesus – here He is in His flesh and blood for you. You want the fruits of His cross and the gifts of His Kingdom – here are those fruits and treasures. You want nourishment to strengthen you for the fight against sin, death and devil. Take and eat. You want to satisfy your thirst for life – take and drink. You want God to be with you in your daily struggles – be seated at His table where He serves you – this is as close to heaven as you will get until Christ returns on the last day.
Our problem with the facts of faith is the same as those first communicants. While Jesus was giving them His gifts all they were contemplating was their own place at the table. The Devil didn’t simply lead Judas to betrayal, he took the eyes of the disciples off the Host and the Food to look at themselves.
We are indeed privileged at Redeemer. We have the Lord’s Supper at every Divine Service every Sunday. Some of you remember 4 times a year, some 12, now at a minimum Jesus dines with us 52 times a year. When our congregation decided to offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday the number one concern was worded something like this, “The Lord’s Supper will not mean as much to me if it is offered every Sunday.” That statement is absolutely true. The same exact reaction happened in Luther’s day when people were set free from mandatory attendance at the Mass. Once the people were free to enjoy it, once the Sacrament was given to them as a gift, given freely, they lost interest. It didn’t mean as much since they didn’t have to go.
Our biggest obstacle to the Lord’s Table is our unbelief. We come to the Lord’s Supper sometimes without even considering our sinfulness or without any awe that God has given us such a gift. We come daydreaming about warm weather, planning the Easter meal, looking forward to the kids being home and grandma coming over. We come not worried about our battle against sin, the evil of the world, or the prowling of the devil. We come out of habit not because we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Repent, like those first guests of the Lord needed to repent. Dr. Luther went to great lengths in his large catechism to teach his congregation to believe God’s Word even if they didn’t feel it or see it. Even if you don’t feel your sin, believe what the Scriptures say about your flesh in Galatians 5 (your flesh produces all sorts of vile and gross sins) so come – you need forgiveness. Even if you don’t feel the evil of the world, believe what God says about the world – as long as you live here (and Luther says if you don’t know if you’re in the world – ask your neighbor), if you live in the world there will be no shortage of sin and misery so come to the Lord’s table for forgiveness and peace. Even if you don’t feel the Devil’s fiery darts, believe what God’s Word says about you – the Devil doesn’t want you to have a single moment of life. He hates life and will lie, deceive, and trick you into believing life is anywhere but in Christ. Even if it feels like you are really living, do not be deceived by the Devil, believe God’s Word. Life is found in and only in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is Luther’s simple advice, “Examine yourself, look around you a little, and just keep to the Scriptures.” For when you hold to God’s Word the truth about yourself, the world and the devil will becomecome clear and the great and high feast of the Lord’s Supper will beckon you to satisfy your hunger and thirst. Those are the facts of our faith when it comes to the Lord’s Supper. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pr. Bruce Timm
16 April 2014