The Lord’s Supper was instituted on Maundy Thursday night, the night on which Jesus was betrayed. It is called various names, including, Sacrament of the Altar, Eucharist, Mass, and Holy Communion. It is the other sacrament (one being baptism) of which we teach. It consists of two visible elements connected to God’s Word and offering us forgiveness of sins and renewal of faith.
The Lord’s Supper consists of two visible elements, bread and wine, which are received in a natural way, through the mouth. With these two visible elements connected with God’s Word, the partaker is also given in, with, and under the bread and wine, Christ’s body and blood in a supernatural way, through the Holy Spirit. Thus, the belief that the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood is incorrect and not according to the Words of Jesus. Also incorrect, and not according to the very Words of Jesus, is the belief that the bread and wine only symbolize the body and blood of Christ. Our Bible reading for today shows this relationship when we are told that Jesus took bread and the cup and said, of the bread and cup (of wine), “This is my body. This is my blood.”
This sacrament, as is the sacrament of baptism, is a joyous sacrament. Sure, we should approach the Lord’s table (altar) in sorrow and repentance, but we should even more so smile and rejoice when leaving, for we have been given forgiveness and we have been strengthened. It is really a shame to watch people come away from the Lord’s Table with a frown on their faces. I, too, believe in reverence, but why should we not let our joy show? Is there no such thing as a reverent smile?
This is the Lord’s Supper, it is not ours. We do nothing in this Holy meal, God has already done everything. We do not present anything but our unholy selves, God presents the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus. We attend to passively be given the benefits and blessings He brings to us.
How often, then, should we attend this sacrament? Unlike baptism, wherein we are baptized only once but daily remember our baptism, we would do well to partake of the Lord’s Supper as often as we can. We would do well to attend especially when we are feeling a great deal of temptation and burden of guilt. We would do well to attend with a repentant heart. We would do well to attend believing in Jesus’ promise of forgiveness and strengthening. Then we leave the Lord’s Supper in joy and with confidence that our sins are forgiven and that all our prayers are heard. Then we cannot help but smile the next time we go to communion.
Dear Father in heaven, forgive me when I neglect to attend Your Holy Supper. Stir in my heart the desire to attend Your Supper and through Your body and blood grant me strengthening of faith, forgiveness and the confidence of life eternal. Thank You for these Your good gifts. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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