Today’s Reading: Small Catechism: Sacrament of the Altar, part 2

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 21:23-46

Where is this written?  The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also he took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Small Catechism, 6th Chief part, section 2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God’s written Word, Holy Scripture, is the only fountain and source of what Christianity teaches, believes, and practices.  We see this especially with the Lord’s Supper.  Scripture alone tells us what the Lord’s Supper is, what it does, and why our communion service is how it is. We dare not rely on Scripture mixed with human reason, or Scripture mixed with sacred tradition, or Scripture mixed with our emotional reactions.  Or anything else for that matter.  God’s Word alone determines what is true, not the mind or emotions of man or even churches.

What is the Lord’s Supper?  It is Jesus’ true body and blood, in and under the consecrated bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and drink.  Man’s reason hates this.  Branches of Christianity that rely on Scripture plus reason object to the Biblical Lutheran teaching.  But Scripture plus reason always leads to reason outranking Scripture.  If you deny Jesus’ body and blood in the Supper based on Scripture plus reason, you really don’t have a logical reason to also believe in the resurrection of the dead, the forgiveness of sins, or the existence of God.  Reason denies all this.  And then you’d have no reason for hope, certainty of salvation, or lasting happiness, for that matter.

Holy Scripture alone is our foundation and source.  What Scripture teaches about the institution of the Lord’s Supper is clear.  Jesus’ body and blood are given to be eaten and drank.  Sinners who repent and confess the faith the same way eat and drink His body and His blood with their mouths, and they do this for the forgiveness of sins.  Though Jesus ascended into heaven, He is able to join His body and blood into the bread and wine on earth by His Word, that we might have these gifts of forgiveness and strength.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“O Jesus, blessed Lord, to Thee My heartfelt thanks forever be, Who hast so lovingly bestowed On me Thy body and Thy blood.” (LSB 632:1; public domain).

-Pastor Robert Mayes is Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Beemer and Wisner, NE.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.