Thursday, April 5, 2007
Maundy Thursday
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
BODY AND BLOOD GIVEN FOR YOU
It's first hand information, inspired by the Spirit and reliable. The Apostle Paul received from the Lord this word and he passes it on to the Corinthians and to us. Thus, we are not left to wonder at the nature of the Lord's Supper. For the Lord Himself tells us what we receive and its blessing.
First, Jesus took bread -- and so do we, unleavened bread because it is our inmost desire to keep this the Lord's Supper and not attempt to fashion His supper in our own image. Jesus gave bread to his disciples and so to we receive bread from the hand of the pastor. Yet, according to Jesus' own words we receive more than simple bread. We also, according to His promise, receive His Body in the Sacrament. We don't need to wonder about this, for if the Son of God says it is so, it is so.
Then, Jesus took the cup -- filled with fruit of the vine, grape wine -- and so do we, because it is our desire that this remain the Lord's Supper. We need not fear this alcohol, for sidling up to the bar this is not, but receiving of the hand of the Son of the Highest for our good. Moreover, according to Jesus' own words it is the new covenant in His Blood. We believe, according to His Word, that we also receive His own blood in the Sacrament. For if the Son of God says it is so, it is so.
So we take the bread and drink of the cup and we are led to remember how He gave his body and shed his blood to redeem us to God. Thus we are also strengthened in our faith in Him and in His Sacrifice. We rightly think of Him when we partake -- and rejoice! Even more, our reception is a confession, we express our confidence in His Sacrifice and by His Grace will do so until He comes.
Thy body and Thy blood, Once slain and shed for me,
Are taken here with mouth and soul, In blest reality.
Search not how this takes place, This wondrous mystery;
God can accomplish vastly more Than seemeth plain to thee.
[The Lutheran Hymnal, 310:3-4]
God forbid that I should glory: save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Him is salvation, life, and resurrection from the dead: by Him we are redeemed and set at liberty.
Psalm (67:1): God be merciful to us and bless us: and cause His face to shine upon us.
[The Lutheran Hymnal, Introit for Thursday of Holy Week]
