How Do These Great Things Happen?

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

We’ve been rejoicing in the great benefits of our Lord’s Body and Blood given in the Sacrament. Forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. A soothing medicine. A precious remedy against the poison in our systems. The medicine of immortality. The antidote that we should not die, but live forever in Jesus Christ. Food that strengthens us for the journey to the promised land of heaven.

How can this be? How do these great things happen? What works such magnificent benefits for you? Is it your eating and drinking? Maybe the way you chew the host? How about whether you receive it in your hand or mouth? Perhaps the way you swish around the wine in your mouth? And then the way you swallow both? Not letting the host touch your teeth. Not letting the wine hit your cheeks. Common cup or individual cup? And if not that, then maybe it’s the kind of bread and wine that you use. Moist bread? Sweet wine? Bread and wine from the holy land. That’s got to be the ticket, right?

If it’s not that, then perhaps the great things happen because of the ritual action. Find the exact order of the ancient church. Do it precisely like the church did it in Antioch, Rome, or Constantinople. All the smoke and incense. The clergy all decked out in handmade vestments. Fancy processions. Arms outstretched. Hands folded in just the precise way. The way the bread and wine are handled and brought to the altar. All so that you get in on the event of Good Friday right before your very eyes. The very re-presentation of the mystery of the atonement in ritual action!

Maybe it’s the way that you feel about it. If the experience moves you enough, then you can be sure that you’re receiving these benefits. Perhaps, if you don’t receive communion quite as often it would seem more special. If only you could go up to the altar with all of your family members. If we just sing uplifting and inspiring music to set the proper mood. If the rest of the worship service was enthusiastic and dynamic. Novelty. If we just change things up a little bit so they don’t get stale. That would make the Lord’s Supper a better experience for you.

Well, it’s none of that actually. What does the great things in the Sacrament is none of our doing. It’s all Christ’s doing and giving. And He does it through His spoken words that give and do what they say. Through the words of Christ, “the whole Gospel and the article of the Creed, ‘I believe in one holy Christian church . . . the forgiveness of sins,’ are embodied in this sacrament and offered to us,” (Large Catechism). Through these words of Jesus: “Take and eat. This is My Body. Take and drink. This cup is the new testament in My Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.”

These are not our words but Christ’s words. Through Him—the eternal Word begotten of the Father from all eternity—the entire Milky Way galaxy was created. “Let there be light” were the words spoken at the beginning. And there was light. “Be fruitful and multiply.” And Adam and Eve and all creation do. By the words spoken. Whose words? The divine majesty’s words.

In the Sacrament, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks. He told Pilate in the Praetorium: “I was born and I came into the world that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice.” And so, with His words we hear His voice. We hear His truth. We hear His all-authority-in-heaven-and-on-earth-that-has-been-given-to-Him words. His words are full of Spirit and life. His words are powerful. His words are as sure as He is sure.

In his Large Catechism, Martin Luther remarks: “As Christ’s lips [Mund] speak and say, so it is; He cannot lie or deceive.” By virtue of His words He says that the bread is His Body given for you. By virtue of His words He says that the cup is His Blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

The words spoken to Pilate by the riotous crowd have come true for you, though in a way not at all like they would have expected: His Blood is on you and your children in a most gracious way.

All for you. For you to receive. For you to enjoy. For your benefit. This is Christ’s promise. You are at the receiving end of His words. Of His giving. Of His treasure. He speaks. We listen. He gives. We are given to. The highest worship you can give Jesus is to believe and receive what He says and gives through His words.

After all, he who believes what Jesus promises has exactly what He says:  His Body and His Blood given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. Where there is forgiveness of sins there is life and salvation.

The Sacrament is indeed “the medicine of immortality, the antidote that we should not die, but live forever in Jesus Christ.” As you eat and drink of this holy meal, do so with the full assurance of God’s love and grace. His Word is true. And by the power of that Word you are forgiven of all of your sins. In the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Now may the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.