Lord’s Supper

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Pentecost 14 / VESPERS                                                                  

Grace Lutheran Church, McPherson, KS

18 September 2011                                                                                     

 

+ Jesu Juva +

 

Matthew 26:26-30

 

Who dares to speak this way?  Words like this had never been uttered before at any previous Passover!  No Jewish man had ever said:  “This is my body.”  Or:  “This cup is the new testament in my blood.”  The words only of a man? No. They are words of God Himself.  From His own lips!  From His own mouth!  That’s Jesus!  God in the flesh Jesus.  Who gives His life into death as THE PASSOVER LAMB!  WHOSE DIVINE BLOOD STAINED CROSS DELIVERS US FROM GOD’S WRATH AND DEATH!

 

God Jesus has His say.  And He categorically and very clearly states:  “Take this bread.  Eat it.  It is my body.  Drink from this cup of wine.  It is my blood.” His words are certain and sure.  He does not lie.  He does not deceive. 

 

And all these words on the very night He was Judas-ly betrayed – on the very night before His gruesome execution.  So these words are His last will and testament!  That’s what you do before you die.  You draw up your will.  And you spell out the inheritance or estate that you bequeath to your heirs. 

 

With the bread Jesus gives His Body.  With the cup of wine He bestows His Blood.  He says so.  He attaches His Word to the bread and wine.  And His words do and give what they say.  Then, when He first spoke these words, and now in the divine service on Sundays.  The words, the consecration, spoken by the ordained pastor are Jesus’ words.  Proclaimed in His person and name.  Jesus speaks through His words and He gives and does precisely what He says.    

 

So the Lord’s Supper is pure gift!  From the Lord Jesus who died for you!  His last will and testament!  It is not our work, our giving, our sacrificing!  It is His giving.  Gift.  Gospel.   

 

“Given and shed FOR YOU!  And I promise that your sins are forgiven.”      

 

This is the estate Jesus gives!  Not furniture, property, cars, jewelry, or cash!  He gives a spiritual estate – a new kingdom – a new world – that opposes and gives a definitive end to this sinful world!  This estate is:  THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS! 

 

With this promise from God Jesus’ own mouth you are given the very opening of heaven itself.  In His Supper the biblical and divine promise of eternal life permanently interrupts this old world with its own new world through Jesus’ explicit promise:  “Your sin is forgiven.” 

 

Now there are many that would contest the Lord’s last will and testament that He has drawn up for you.  Especially when it is declared publicly Sunday after Sunday.  Satan, death, and your own sinful nature all seek to prosecute their own rights against Jesus’ free gift!  The accusations in your conscience go like this:  “This cannot be!  You are a betrayer like Judas!  You are a denier like Peter!  You are unworthy!  Sinful to the core!  Unclean!”  Or Satan and his hordes will try this:  “You really do not need this since you have your works to help make you right with God.”

 

Against all these powers that desperately want to bind, accuse, and condemn you in the way of the law, what evidence will you produce?  Here’s how!  “Yes, indeed, I am truly Christ’s betrayer!  I am a Christ denier!  Sinner deluxe!  Complete and total.  But Jesus is a better Savior!  And I have let Him have His say.  He has named me in His will and His complete estate belongs to me with His promise:  YOU ARE FORGIVEN!  Jesus reigns in my conscience!” 

 

Brothers and sisters, the Lord’s last will and testament is for you.  His promise is unbreakable! Unthwartable!  His promise that His Body and Blood are given with the bread and wine for your forgiveness holds against all the powers the old sinful world has to muster – sin, death, and the devil.

 

For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation. 

 

In the Name of Jesus.