Maundy Thursday

Jesse Jacobsen

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Last modified: (Thu Mar 24 18:19:04 2005)

1 Corinthians 10:16--17

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Communion in Christ

Holy communion is the name we give to the supper that Jesus instituted with His disciples on the night He was betrayed, telling them to make it their regular practice. The name ``Holy Communion'' is only one name of several that it has been called. We also call it the Lord's Supper, because it belongs to Him, comes from Him, and is provided by Him. It is sometimes called the Eucharist, which means literally ``thanksgiving'' because Jesus gave thanks when He blessed the bread and the wine, and so did the Church for many years. In some places, even Lutherans still call it ``the Mass,'' an ancient name from the Latin order of worship back when the catechumens were dismissed after the Gospel lesson.

Bread and wine are what we call the elements in this supper, because that's what they are: bread and wine. But those who believe what Jesus says about them also call them His body and blood, because that's what they are: His body and blood. Our text tonight says that clearly. We receive His body under the bread, and His blood under the wine. The same blood that He shed is here sacramentally, for us Christians to drink. The same body He gave is here sacramentally, for us Christians to eat. It's not a digestive type of eating, but a sacramental type of eating, involving both the mouth and the faith which believes Jesus' words.

Communion, the name we use for this supper, is Jesus' gift to us, His Church. Through it He forgives us and provides eternal life as we receive His body and blood into our own bodies. But He also unites us through communion into a communion with one another. He makes us unto one body, and in this way holds His Church together in the one, true faith.

Communion in Christ. It is a communion of His body and blood. It is a communion of saints.

A Communion of His Body and Blood

Only those who believe what Jesus says about this supper ought to receive it. Anyone who does not believe what He says should not receive it. What He says seems like a dusty ritual on the surface, but still waters run deep. Holy communion in Christ is one of the most intimate encounters we can ever experience with our Savior as long as we live.

Consider the other festival days of the Church Year. On Christmas, we hear about Jesus coming to earth in the flesh. The Son of God now has a human body and soul. On Good Friday, we hear about the way He suffered and died upon a Roman cross of execution. Rivers of divine blood ran down to the ground, and mingled with the dust of the earth. His tortured, holy body experienced anguish greater than any man, because the full weight of God's judgment fell upon Him. On Easter, we hear about Jesus rising from the grave. The man that was killed has now overcome death, to live forever. His blood now courses through His veins again, but He has kept the marks of crucifixion in His body as a sign that death has been defeated.

But only today, on Maundy Thursday do we specifically focus upon Jesus' body in this special way. Only in Holy Communion are Jesus' own precious body and blood offered and given to you personally, to eat and drink. You may have an image of Jesus lying in a manger or dying on the cross for you, or an image of the empty tomb. But today we don't have an image. We have the thing itself: the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Now, the Jews in Old Testament times were commanded to celebrate the Passover once each year. It was a very important feast for them, a precursor to the Lord's Supper. It also involved a victim whose blood was shed, and whose body was eaten. Those who celebrated the Passover had to eat some of that meat from the Passover lamb, or else they would not receive its benefits.

Holy Communion is the New Testament Passover meal, and Jesus is our Passover lamb. Those who do not eat or drink His body and blood, as He commands, do not receive the Lord's Supper. Years ago, many people thought it was enough to watch the Lord's Supper being celebrated. They couldn't even hear the consecration --- the words of institution --- because they were spoken softly by the pastors. Instead, the pastor would raise the elements and and a bell would ring. Many people thought that if they only watched this happen, they would be blessed through it. But Jesus said ``eat'' and ``drink,'' not ``watch.'' He wants to make you a part of this new Passover meal, the meal that actually provides you the full and complete benefits of His death. He wants you to eat and drink His body and His blood.

Another difference between Holy Communion and the Passover is that we are able --- even invited --- to have Holy Communion every time the Church assembles for worship. The Passover was limited to once a year. We are limited only by the condition of our own hearts. Jesus invites us to prepare ourselves, but then to come as often as we need the benefits of His death.

``The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?'' Communion in Christ is a communion of His body and His blood.

A Communion of Saints

In the Apostles' Creed, we confess that we believe in ``the Communion of Saints.'' These days, we usually understand that as another way of saying ``the Holy Christian Church.'' But that's not the way it has always been understood among orthodox Christians. In the very early Church, it's clear that the words ``Communion of Saints'' sometimes referred to the Lord's Supper. What's more, the Creed makes more sense if each thing mentioned proceeds from the previous ones. ``I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.''

So what do we confess when we say ``the Communion of Saints?'' It could mean the same thing as ``the Holy Christian Church.'' But more likely, it is something more, something found in the Church, and provided by the Holy Spirit, and giving the forgiveness of sins, the power of resurrection, and eternal life. The Lord's Supper fits that description, though it could be understood either way.

Yet, to whom was Jesus speaking when He instituted His Supper? To His Church. Who is supposed to ``Do this, as often as you drink it?'' His Church! And what does the Holy Spirit build in this world through God's Word and Sacraments? His Church! By receiving the communion of saints, the Church is strengthened. One communion (the Church) celebrates the other communion (the Sacrament), and that communion establishes the first. That's what our text means by saying, ``For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.'' Paul calls us one body, because we receive the one body of our Lord, and we receive it together.

Holy Communion unites the Church and strengthens it to be and to do exactly what God wants. If we neglect it, the Church wastes away because of our own wickedness. But if we use it well, the Church lives because her Lord lives in her.

So far, we have heard what Holy Communion is (the body and blood of Christ for us Christians to eat and drink), and we have heard about its relation to the Church. But how about us as individuals? How should the saints prepare to receive the Lord's Supper? This is one of the most important questions to keep in mind at all times.

First, let's consider how not to prepare. If you come because you think you ought to, then don't bother. I won't tell anyone how often they ought to come to communion, because then you would come only because I said you should. But if that's your reason for coming, then you're not helping yourself at all by communing. When I was a kid, before confirmation, I disliked so-called ``communion Sundays,'' because the service was longer. There was more singing and more sitting, and it didn't seem worthwhile. The so-called ``noncommunion Sundays'' I liked better, because the service was shorter, and we could be on our way to Dunkin' Donuts in the space of an hour. That's a terrible, wicked attitude, though it was partly from ignorance. But I don't think I was the only one. If you get in the habit of coming to communion because you think it's expected of you, this is exactly the attitude you will have. You will even begin to dread the ``communion Sundays'' because Holy Communion becomes another chore expected from you.

If you come because you think you are worthy and deserving of it, then don't bother coming. Anyone who thinks he deserves the Lord's Supper doesn't really believe what Jesus says about it, or even what Jesus says about Himself and about us. This is why it's important that we begin preparing for communion by thinking of our own sinfulness. You won't have to think very hard before you remember some of the great sins in your life. Let God's commandments accuse you. Recall how the Son of God suffered --- not for Himself, but on account of your sins. He died because of you. Any of us who considers our own lives in this way will realize that we are not worthy of anything good from God, much less Jesus' precious body and blood.

When you have remembered your sins, and feel sorry for them, then let Jesus take them from you. This repentance can be done within your own heart, but God has provided us with more comforting ways, too. Approach your fellow Christian, and ask him to be your confessor. Confess your sins to God --- any that trouble you, and your confessor will speak for Christ Himself, absolving you. I have time set aside every week for private absolution. Just look at the calendar, or make a special appointment.

All who are genuinely contrite and penitent will understand the Lord's Supper properly. It's the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. If your own personal need for holy communion compels you to come and receive it, then you are truly well-prepared. In other words, come only if you truly hunger for Jesus' body and thirst for His blood, believing that this is exactly what He gives you in this Sacrament. That is the only kind of communicant that Jesus wants at His table. He invites penitent sinners, so that when we are united with Him, we may be forgiven and called saints.

So before you come tonight, ask yourself: Do I hunger for the body and blood of my Savior? If you don't hunger tonight, then remain in your pew and sing some more hymns. That's OK, because we'll meet here again very soon, and maybe you will commune then. But if you do hunger, then approach the altar with a humble heart, and receive the gift of God. The same goes for any Sunday. I ask you to announce your intent to commune only to help you prepare, and so that I can have the supper ready on the Sundays when I can't offer communion during the service. If you feel the need and hunger for the Lord's Supper when you come, then Jesus wants you to receive it.

Communion in Christ. It's a communion of His body and blood. It's a communion of saints. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This document was translated from LATEX by HEVEA.