November 23, 2011 - Wednesday of the Last Week

Daily Lectionary: Daniel 3:1-30; Revelation 20:1-15

But what should you do if you are not aware of this need and have no hunger and thirst for the Sacrament? To such a person no better advice can be given than this: first, he should touch his body to see if he still has flesh and blood. Then he should believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7. Second, he should look around to see whether he is still in the world, and remember that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15-16 and 1 John 2 and 5. Third, he will certainly have the devil also around him, who with his lying and murdering day and night will let him have no peace within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1 Peter 5; Ephesians 6; and 2 Timothy 2. (Small Catechism, Christian Questions)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In these last days of the church year and the world, we await our Lord's coming in glory. The Christian Questions remind us that as long as we are living in this world, we have our sinful flesh, the world and the devil trying to destroy us. Therefore, more than anything else, we need the Body and Blood of Christ.

It's easy to get distracted by the things of this life and so hunger and thirst less for the Sacrament. The Christian Questions, therefore, remind us to pause and consider this “unholy trinity” of enemies we face. And the only way to beat these foes is to be full of Jesus which is exactly what you are when you eat His Body and drink His Blood in the Lord's Supper.

There, the Body and Blood that were pure and sinless flesh and that took on your sins to save you give you forgiveness. There, the Body and Blood that overcame the world give you life which overcomes the world. There, the Body and Blood, which could not be held down by the devil, give you victory and salvation over him too.

Indeed, as these enemies work harder and harder to drag you away from Christ; as the world around you plunges further and further into chaos and evil; as all these enemies surround you, know this: His Body and Blood are your victory over all of them. With Jesus living in you by His Body and Blood, not sin, not the devil and not even death will keep you down. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

My heart has now become Thy dwelling. O blessed, holy Trinity. With angels I, Thy praises telling, Shall live in joy eternally. Lord, my Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good! (LSB 619:5)

Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflections Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.

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