Sermon - Maundy Thursday - 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

 

1 Corinthians 11:23–32

There is no higher blessing on earth that we may receive than the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. It is a most precious gift.

Christ’s final gift to his church, apart from his very death on the cross, is given that Holy Thursday evening.  In fact, we can’t really separate the Sacrament from Christ’s death – because it is the same Body and Blood given and shed for us at the cross, the same Body resurrected in victory over death on the third day.

To meditate upon this precious gift this evening, let us consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians, which in some ways really form the foundation of Christian teaching about the Sacrament.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the Words of Institution – but Paul’s version in 1 Corinthians 11 really is the most expansive and includes some important commentary.

Paul begins, “I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…” and let’s not pass by this little phrase too quickly.

Paul received this – as a gift – passively.  What is this?  The entirety of the Lord’s Supper, but especially the words of Christ which he is about to reiterate to the church in Corinth.  And I say re-iterate, because it’s clear that he already taught them these words.  He had already established this practice among them, for that is one of the very basic and clear marks of any Christian church – the receiving of his gifts.

What Paul has received, Paul delivers to his people.  It’s no different today with pastors and congregations.  We pastors receive what his handed to us by the Lord, and we distribute it to you, his people. 

We aren’t to make things up, concoct our own doctrines and ideas.  Egads, who would want such a thing as I have to offer of myself?  Rather, we feed the sheep with his word.  We care for the lambs of his flock by leading them to the green pastures of his word, and the living water of Holy Baptism, and the food of his Holy Supper.  We, ourselves, need these gifts, these means of grace.  And then God calls us also to steward these mysteries for the benefit of his people.

Therefore the pastor is most pastor when he is preaching and teaching, baptizing and administering the Lord’s Supper.  The gifts of God for the people of God, all received and given freely.

Paul then focuses us on the words themselves, Christ’s words of institution.  A last will and testament of sorts.  A holy and precious paragraph chocked full of blessings for Christians of all time.  Let’s note some of them:

He gave thanks.  What a powerful example for Christians that Jesus gave thanks as he instituted this meal.  Thanks to whom?  The Father, of course.  The giver of all good things.  But more than just setting a pattern for us to pray before meals (which is of course a good thing to do), Jesus rightly gives thanks to God for the bread, and for all that he too gives us in this meal.  These are good gifts!  And good gifts are to be appreciated with thanksgiving.

And then these simple words:  This is my body.

This.  This real thing here, this loaf of bread.  In real time and local space, Jesus institutes a meal of blessing.

IS.  Is means is.  He doesn’t say symbolizes, or serves as a metaphor.  This is no figure of speech.  Something real is happening.  The “is” confesses the reality of it.  And we should take Jesus as his simple word.

My.  Only Jesus’ body and blood could do the trick.  Only the incarnate Son of God could die and rise and give his body sacramentally, for the forgiveness of your sins.  And as it is his, it’s his to give to whom he chooses.  And that’s you, dear Christian.

Body.  Jesus took on human flesh for many reasons.  To live a perfect life in our place.  To sympathize with us in our weakness.  To offer that body up in death, and likewise to shed his very real blood as a sacrifice and payment for sin.  But I submit another reason… to give his body to us in this sacrament.  To unite himself with us in the flesh, and then also to give that very body to us to eat, along with his blood to drink.  Without the incarnation of Christ there is no Sacrament.  And so it all goes together.

For you.  Yes, these little words matter, too.  The whole point of Jesus giving his body and blood in the sacrament, and of everything that Jesus does and is – is that it is for you.  And not just for those disciples long ago, but the words, “in remembrance of me” teach us that the “for you” was meant to go forward, and be for all his people.  Again, “for you” emphasizes this is a gift, not a ritual of obeisance or some offering up to God for payment or placation.  Our God gives, he gives of himself, he gives us his Son.  Christ gives and gives, and even his very life for you. 

So why is it so difficult to receive God’s gifts like the Lord’s Supper on his own terms?  Why must we tinker with the simple, straightforward words of Christ?  It’s as old as the question, “Did God really say…?”

And I’m not just talking about those church bodies whose theology denies Christ’s presence in the meal, or who teach it is only a symbol.  Even we Lutherans can misuse and abuse this precious gift of God, just like we are prone to do with all his gifts.  Perhaps we simply take this gift too lightly, and fail to esteem it as the great treasure it is.  Perhaps we neglect it, if only in our hearts.  Or else we consider it a right, or entitlement.  Or a reward for good behavior or attaining a certain status. 

Yes, we sin, even when it comes to the Holy Sacrament of God.  Paul warns us about this, too.  In fact the hole last paragraph of this reading is a warning against abuse of the Sacrament. 

In Corinth, it took several forms.  The people were divided, the rich wouldn’t share with the poor.  And some even drank to excess and became drunk from the communion wine!  They treated this precious gift, it seems, like any other common feast – or even a revelry of sin.  A very serious abuse.  Paul indicates that this even led some of the Corinthian Christians to get sick and die, as a judgment of God for abusing the Sacrament!

But his warnings are wider.  Let a man examine himself.  That is to say, let us be sure that we are well-prepared and ready. What does that mean?  Examine yourself.  See that you are a sinner.  For this medicine is only for the sick.  If Jesus says it’s for the forgiveness of sins, and you say you have no sin – then it’s not for you. 

Secondly, see that you believe Christ’s words concerning this meal.  That it really is what he says it is – his body and blood – and that it’s really for what he says it’s for – the forgiveness of your sins.  Paul calls this, “discerning the body”.  Seeing that yes, truly yes, this is the body and blood of Christ, for me, a sinner.

You see, true preparation to receive this gift doesn’t mean doing a bunch of good works in order to deserve it.  It doesn’t mean attaining a level of holiness that qualifies you.  Rather the opposite.  Seeing the truth that you are a beggar who comes to Jesus only with need, and with an open hand.  This is judging ourselves truly.

Luther’s Small Catechism puts it another way:  “Who receives this Sacrament worth?”  Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.  But he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words:  given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  For the words, “for you”, require all hearts to believe.

No, it’s not good works, holy living, or even right understanding that qualify you for his table.  It’s faith.  A humble, repentant faith.  A recognition of our sins, and a discernment of his body.  Or in other words, simply taking Jesus at his simple words. 

It’s not complicated.  Jesus says, This is my body.  This is my blood.  Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins”  And my friends, that is far, far more than enough.

Dear Christian, come again on this Holy Thursday and receive what Jesus gives:  a rich feast, a holy meal, lavish and overflowing with blessings, for he feeds you with himself.  And he forgives you freely and fully.