Thursday, March 1, 2012
Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
CROSS AND CATECHISM: THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
What are your feelings towards "fast food"? Do you have a favorite? Could you do without it? Even if we hated fast food I think we would all have to agree that it certainly is a luxury we take for granted. If we are pressed for time, on a road trip, or maybe just don't feel up to cooking, fast food certainly has its place in the modern American life. But as we all know, if we're not careful with our use of it, fast food can be something that is much more harmful than good.
What are your feelings towards the Lord’s Supper? Could you do without it? It is very easy to forget what the Lord's Supper is all about. In fact, when communicants start to fade from coming to the Lord's Table that is often a sign they've begun to fall away from their faith. When we speak of the Sacrament of the Altar or Holy Communion, it truly is a "sacrament," because it is a sacred-act of God's grace and mercy done for you through Christ! Who wouldn't want that? If we are considering God's "fast food," then truly the Lord's Supper is certainly one thing worth "fasting" or making special preparation for!
In view of the preparation the Lord asks of us (1 Corinthians 11:26-29), we can go joyfully to the Lord's Table knowing Jesus will come to us in the blessings we receive in Word and Sacrament. How could we ever take these blessings of Christ for granted? Holy Communion is not simply a show that we belong and are members of our church nor simply a memorial meal. No. When we unite at Jesus' table, we unite with each other in true confession and with Jesus in the bread and wine with His body and blood. Truly, Christ our Lord unites Himself with us in this Holy Meal to offer, give, and seal for us His blessings, His forgiveness, and His everlasting love! So may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the one and only Bread of Life from heaven, continue to focus my heart and mind on the mercy which we taste in the promises of His Holy Word!
