Let Us Always Eat His Holy Supper :: Matthew 26:26-29
Then while they were eating, Jesus, having taken bread and after blessing [it], he broke [it] and gave [it] to the disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And having taken the cup and given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink out of it all, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many into the forgiveness of sins. Now I say to you, I certainly will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink with you anew in the kingdom of my father.
I don’t understand why more people don’t understand the word of our Lord on this matter. His words are so matter of fact. Jesus says, Take, eat; This is my body. Take, drink; This is my blood. It is the new covenant. It is ... now ... even tonight ... being poured out for many into the forgiveness of sins. Jesus doesn’t say this bread and wine represent his body and blood. He doesn’t say the bread and wine symbolize his body and blood. The words “represent” and “symbolize” aren’t here. Nor are they in the accounts by Mark, Luke, and Paul. Jesus doesn’t say this is a “memorial” meal. Nor does ask you to sign onto his covenant, which requires you to provide your own sacrifice, for your own forgiveness.
In the Words of Institution, Jesus is giving us a new reality ... a new gift ... an eternal banquet of his making that will sustain us until the fullness of the Father’s kingdom comes ... when many will come from east and west to join the feast of forgiveness ... a celebration that has no end.
So why do we act so distant toward it all?
NOW AND FOREVERMORE IS THE TIME FOR THAT GIFT.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no good reason for us to deny ourselves the Lord’s precious gift of his feast of forgiveness any longer. Jesus provides a supper that draws us together in the faith we share. Jesus provides a means of grace to nurture and sustain our faith ... the complete trust that his word is true, that his work is complete, that his word has power. And Jesus never forgets us in the meal through which he gives himself to us. He always is the one coming to us. He always is the one providing for us. He has drawn us together. So take and eat and drink.
As we prepare to receive the Lord’s supper in remembrance of the night he was betrayed, we will once again remember what the sacrament of the altar really is, what its benefits really are, and who is to receive it. This is a fitting conclusion to our midweek catechetical series. The Lord’s Supper is the highlight of this ... the pinnacle of the Divine Service. It brings us to Easter.
3. So what is it ... this Sacrament of the Altar?
We simply believe the Word of God that we read in the Bible. Like Luther, we know that the Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Regrettably, there are many who hear Jesus’ words and refuse to believe them. Their human reason asks, How can bread and wine be Christ’s body and blood (LC V 12)? There are too many people who cannot bring themselves to believe this. The Sacrament is not mere bread and wine, like that which is served at our dinner table, but this is bread and wine included in, and connected with God’s Word (LC V 9).
With Luther, we understood that all human reason is not as wise as is the Divine Majesty in His little finger (LC V 12). Jesus says, This is my body. ... This is my blood. And we know that he can never lie or deceive (Titus 1:2). Everyone, therefore, who desires to be a Christian and go to this Sacrament should know this. But so too should we know why we should do what he commands.
2. What are the benefits of the Sacrament?
Understanding and believing Jesus’ words enables us to answer this second question. After Jesus tells us what this sacrament is my body ... my blood, he gives us his purpose statement. His body and blood are poured out for many into the forgiveness of sins (vv 26–28).
Luther explains it this way: For this reason we go to the Sacrament: there we receive such a treasure by and in which we gain forgiveness of sins. ... Christ asks me to eat and drink, so that this treasure may be my own and may benefit me. In fact, it is the very same treasure that is appointed for me against my sins, death, and every disaster (LC V 22).
It’s difficult to believe this. That’s because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Pt 5:8). The devil makes it a struggle. He tells you it is just bread and wine. He tells you it can’t possibly do what Jesus says it does, giving you forgiveness. He does everything he can to keep you from remembering this.
Therefore, Jesus says, Take, eat ... and drink. His Holy Supper is for you ... to strengthen you for the struggle ... to give you courage in the face of discouragement. It helps us remember that Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil by the sacrifice of his body and blood on the cross. His death was enough to secure your forgiveness. And his resurrection proves that his body and blood gives us life. This treasure is yours. Receive it by faith. This is the benefit and effectiveness of the Sacrament.
1. So who then is to receive this treasure and benefit?
Some of us might think we all should ... that we should throw open the doors and invite all. But not everyone should come. Saint Paul provides plenty of warning about this in his letter to the Corinthians. Those who are unrepentant must be told to stay away since they do not desire it and do not wish to be godly (LC V 58). In the Large Catechism we are also reminded, Whoever now accepts these words and believes that what they declare is true has forgiveness. But whoever does not believe it has nothing (LC V 35).
Some may come to the Holy Supper but refuse to see what God has offered there. Jesus has placed a treasure on the table, but some ignore it and walk away without any benefit from the Supper at all. In fact, Saint Paul tells us that anyone coming to the Holy Supper without faith, or in unrepentant sin, eats and drinks judgment on himself (1 Cor 11:29).
On the other hand, whoever believes the words has what they declare. Jesus says, This is my body. This is my blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Here Jesus offers and promises forgiveness of sins.
Some years ago, a pastor whom I respect highly spoke this way about the Sacrament of the Altar. He told me that at the beginning of each service he would pronounce the forgiveness of sins and from the pulpit he would proclaim the Gospel ... Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of souls ... and then invite them to receive this forgiveness in the sacrament of the altar. Unfortunately ... all too often ... invariably there were people at the service who felt that their sins were too great or that their faith was too weak ... that forgiveness couldn’t be for them.
When you come to the Sacrament and stand before this altar ... when you take and eat the true body of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ given for you for the forgiveness of sins ... and when you take and drink the true blood of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shed for you for the forgiveness of sins ... let there be no doubt that this treasure is yours ... that it is meant for you.
JESUS WANTS YOU TO HAVE THE RICHES OF HIS TREASURE: THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, LIFE, AND SALVATION WITH HIM AND EACH OTHER FOREVER.
What is the Sacrament? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
What are its benefits? These 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.
Who is to receive it? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
In the name of Jesus ... Amen.