Every time we gather together to hear the word of God preached and partake of Holy Communion we do so in the name of Jesus. Jesus promised to be present when we gather in his name. Since the holy scriptures are God’s word all the words therein are the words of Jesus. When you have the words of Jesus you also have Jesus.
Matthew 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ESV
That portion shows the strong promise that when we eat the bread of the Lord’s Supper we receive the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. This is the visible gospel and due to the fact it is a promise of our Lord we have great confidence that even though we don’t understand how or when the Lord is present we know he is.
12] With this Word you can strengthen your conscience and say: If a hundred thousand devils, together with all fanatics, should rush forward, crying, How can bread and wine be the body and blood of Christ? etc., I know that all spirits and scholars together are not as wise as is the Divine Majesty in His little finger. 13] Now here stands the Word of Christ: Take, eat; this is My body; Drink ye all of it; this is the new testament in My blood, etc. Here we abide, and would like to see those who will constitute themselves His masters, and make it different from what He has spoken. It is true, indeed, that if you take away the Word or regard it without the words, you have nothing but mere bread and wine. 14] But if the words remain with them, as they shall and must, then, in virtue of the same, it is truly the body and blood of Christ. For as the lips of Christ say and speak, so it is, as He can never lie or deceive. From Martin Luther’s Large Catechism.
The words of Jesus should never be doubted no matter how mysterious.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
1 comment:
Oh that is sweet...like honey from the comb!
Thanks for reminding me what the Lord has done for me by giving me forgiveness of sins, life and salvation (Himself)...all in a little bread and wine accompanied by the words..."given and shed for you."
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