Wednesday, December 10, 2014
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (NKJV) ... 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."
HE COMES IN THE LORD'S SUPPER
ADVENT means COMING. Thus during the season of Advent we prepare for the celebration of Christ's first coming in humility while also preparing for His Second Coming in glory. Today we are reminded that He comes in the Lord's Supper to comfort us poor sinners.
ADVENT is a time to sorrow over sins. We prepare our hearts for the Savior by taking a look at ourselves in the mirror of God's Law. The sight isn't pretty. We have sinned in our thoughts, words and actions. When we honestly look at God's righteous demands we are convicted and see clearly our guilt. We will not promise to make things right or promise to do better next time because both God's Word and our own bitter experience tell us that we have not the strength within us to carry it out. The Spirit of God moves us in faith to lay our burden of sin before the cross of Christ.
HE COMES in the Lord's Supper to comfort us poor sinners. The gospel writers and the apostle Paul restate the words that Jesus spoke when instituting the Lord's Supper for our comfort. They are uplifting and joyful words in our ears. When we hear these words we should remember that Jesus is speaking to each one of us personally. Christ, who went the way of the cross, assures and confirms to us that He gave His body and shed His blood to make atonement for our sins. We are forgiven!
CHRIST who came in humility to save still comes to comfort sinners in the Lord's Supper, and that's why we come trembling to His Altar.
Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing, bringing news of sins forgiv'n;
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness, leading souls redeemed to heav'n.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Now the gate of death is riv'n!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 56:3)
