Given and Shed For You - Maundy Thursday - Matthew 26:26-29

On Maundy Thursday we confess that Christ Jesus gives His own body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins in/with/under the elements of the Sacrament of the Altar. In the bread, Christ gives us His body, broken for us. In the wine, He gives us His blood, poured out for us. Through this perfect sacrifice, all our betrayals and sins are forgiven, and God is fully justified in forgiving us.

Information about The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) can be found at www.taalc.org

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

In the cascading layers of noise in our ever-changing world, discovering a space for reflection and inspiration is increasingly rare. Welcome then to Faith Comes by Hearing, a unique podcast series that cuts through the clamor, carrying the timeless messages of the gospel into our lives with renewed relevance. Join Dr. Carrie Larson, the presiding pastor of the American Association of Lutheran Churches, as he ventures into the challenges of everyday life and the deep need to hear the truth that we are saved by grace, through faith, through Christ Jesus alone. Each episode is an invitation not just to listen, but to truly hear and embrace the good news of Christ Jesus for you and for all.

SPEAKER_01 0:43

At age 88, Ruth's eyes were bright, her smile bold. At times her attitude was a bit cantankerous, yet her faith strong. As her pastor, we knew each other, but we didn't really get to know each other until I needed to make frequent visits to see her at the nursing home. Ruth was dying of stomach cancer. For many months, God had granted me the privilege of visiting Ruth and bringing the Lord's Supper to her. Our discussions were usually the same. Each time I came, I would be sure to bring my Bible to read to her scripture, which would always include a reading from the 23rd Psalm. Somewhere in one of our visits, she asked if I could read it with her in the King James Version. As according to Ruth, this was the proper translation of the psalm. And each visit would conclude with Holy Communion. Each time Ruth would gratefully receive Christ's very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Ruth was courageous. Every time I came to visit, she politely turned off her TV, which always had the food channel on. I was confused by this as she was having difficulty eating due to the cancer, and yet she was watching cooking shows. I asked her how could she do that? She told me this was her way of sticking it to the cancer. On one visit, Ruth asked me to help plan her funeral. It included the 23rd Psalm in the KJV. She made me promise. She could sense that the frailty of her body would soon end her pilgrimage on earth. Finally, a day came when I knocked on Ruth's door and a very weak voice invited me in. I stepped into the room and the TV was off and the shades were drawn. Ruth was lying in bed facing the wall, as her bed was in a corner of her room. I asked her how she was feeling, and she responded, Not too well. In all those months of visiting with Ruth, dealing with the discomfort of stomach cancer, I had never heard a response like that from this spirited woman. We both sensed that we didn't have too many visits before us. As always, we celebrated the Lord's Supper at the end of the visit. However, at this time, Ruth could only take a speck of wine-soaked bread as it seemed any food or liquid made her wretch horribly. My last visit with Ruth is one that I'll never forget. It was emotional and powerful. I remember weeping in my car in the parking lot after our visit. But I knew her faith in her Savior was never in doubt. I was thankful we had shared this holy meal as a brother and sister in Christ. The next day, I returned to Ruth, and she was breathing very shallow and unresponsive. She was dying. I blessed her just as I blessed the children here. I traced the cross on her forehead and said, Child of God, you have been purchased with a great price, but you are his now and forever. Amen. And I leaned down and gave her a kiss on her forehead, just as a little brother would kiss his big sister. Later that night she fell asleep in the loving arms of her Savior. I know I will see Ruth again. It was the night on which our Jesus was betrayed. Unlike Ruth, the disciples were blissfully ignorant of impending death, despite the many warnings from their Lord. What Jesus would leave behind on that holy Thursday was the New Testament or covenant in his body and blood given and shed for the remission of all sins. It was the pure gospel for his disciples to receive and share for the rest of time. On such a night as this, nearly 2,000 years later, we have, as so often in the past, the privilege of receiving the gift won by Christ Jesus on the cross, the precious treasure of sins forgiven, strength and life everlasting. It is the pure gospel, the love of God for lost and condemned sinners. How unfortunate it is that some feel no hunger and thirst for this great treasure. Jesus asks us to do this often in remembrance of him, but even on that first night, Jesus foresaw many who would not. Some are lazy, some make excuses, some claim freedom. Still, we believe, as per the Lutheran confessions, that no one should by any means be forced or compelled to go to the sacrament. In fact, our confessions explains, indeed, those who are true Christians and value the sacrament precious and holy will drive and move themselves to go to it. The real danger comes if a person withdraws from the sacrament. He or she may become increasingly callous and cold and will at last disregard the sacrament altogether. To avoid this, let us spend a moment to examine our hearts and consciences so that they will not become cold, but will instead desire our Savior's last will and testament of his body and blood, his covenant with his people. You may feel you shouldn't come to the sacrament because you're not prepared. When we view the sacrament as something we do, it is quite natural to feel unworthy or unprepared. We know we sin daily, daily we sin much. If we were to wait until we were good and pure, we would never come to the sacrament and never know the peace it offers. There are those who should stay away from the sacrament because they lack repentance. They are unprepared to receive forgiveness of sin because they have no desire to be godly or to follow God's will. Saint Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 9, do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Thanks be to God that these words no longer apply to us. In verse 11, Paul continues, and such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. We need to remember that this sacrament does not depend upon our worthiness. We are not baptized because we are worthy and holy, nor do we make a confession because we are pure and without sin. On the contrary, we go because we are poor, miserable sinners. When we gather, we make our confession exactly because we are unworthy. Each one of us can say, I indeed would like to be worthy. But I come not based upon my worthiness, but upon Christ's word, because he has commanded it. I come as one who would gladly be your disciple no matter what becomes of my worthiness. Jesus saw all this on that first holy night when he gave us his sacrament. Therefore we come because of his promise, for he declares, This is my body which is given for you. This is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are all for you. Here in the sacrament, you are to receive from the lips of Christ Jesus forgiveness of sin. It contains and brings with it God's grace and the Holy Spirit with all his gifts, protection, shelter, and power against death and the devil and all tribulation. Luther wrote, If therefore you are heavy laden and feel your weakness, then go joyfully to this sacrament and receive refreshment, comfort, and strength. If you wait until you are rid of such burdens so that you might come to the sacrament pure and worthy, you must stay away forever. Still, this may not be enough for some. Luther says that some may ask, What then shall I do if I cannot feel such distress or experience hunger and thirst for the sacrament? He gives three down to earth answers to this question. Luther's first answer is, For those who are of such a mind that they do not realize their condition, I know no better counsel than that they put their hand into their shirt to check whether they have flesh and blood, and if you find that you do, then go for your good to St. Paul's epistle to the Galatians. Hear what sort of fruit your flesh is. Now the works of the flesh are evident, sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. For those who still need more encouragement to go to the sacrament, Luther suggests, in the second place, look around you. See whether you are also in the world. We contemporary Christians have ample evidence of the sinfulness and misery in the world. Wherever you turn, you find a world filled with violence, anger, sin, vice, and despair. Any one of these things should cause you to flee to the Savior in the sacrament. Finally, if these are not enough to drive you to the sacrament, remember that you also have the devil to contend with. He is a liar and a murderer. He desires nothing short of your damnation. He will do anything to lead your heart away from God's inerrant and infallible word, and the word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Luther observes, If you could see how many knives, darts, and arrows are at every moment aimed at you, you would be glad to come to the sacrament as often as possible. On the night when he was betrayed, Christ Jesus looked forward to this night and gave you a great treasure and gift. It was his very body and blood given and shed for you for the remission of all your sins. He gave it for Ruth, for you and for me. He gave it for all who are weary and heavy laden with sin, like right now, this night in our real lives and our real world. Come to the altar, find rest for your soul. In the name of Jesus. Amen. The peace of God, which surpasses all our understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus now and forever. Amen.