Thursday, March 24, 2005
Maundy Thursday
Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
TELL AND SHOW
"Unless I see ... I will not believe it" were the words of the Apostle Thomas when others had told him they had seen the Lord Jesus risen from the dead. But Thomas is not the only one who has ever doubted the things Jesus has done. Some doubt His ability to save. Others doubt his very existence.
I will grant you that it's hard to believe this Man died on a cross 2000 years ago and made an offering to God for the sin of the world so we could go to heaven. Such faith doesn't come naturally. Furthermore, we didn't see Him die. We didn't experience the rumble of the earthquake and hear the tearing of the temple curtain on Good Friday. We didn't follow the procession out to Golgotha to witness the execution. We weren't there in person.
So to erase our doubts, forgive us our sins, and strengthen our hearts in the truth, the Savior gave us the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord's Supper. Jesus knew our every weakness so He decided to do more for us than simply tell us of His suffering, death, and atonement for our sins. He wanted to SHOW us. This He does when He says to you, "Take and eat; this is my body ... This is my blood." Here Christ gives you the very body and blood that was given for you on the cross. Here you receive the very instruments that paid the price for your salvation. The Lord's Supper makes you a witness to the forgiveness of your sins-- as though you are actually standing there at Calvary.
See the Lord Jesus! He is given for you. Your guilt is truly gone. This is the very body and blood that washes you clean! Believe and be satisfied! 