All the Promises of God 3

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. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” ESV

When we receive the true body and blood of our Lord in the Sacrament of Holy Communion we receive the tangible Gospel. As Jesus promised that the bread is his body and the contents of the cup is the blood of the new covenant. We actually receive, according to the words of Jesus, his body and blood for the forgiveness of sin. Yes that is correct! We have our sins forgiven in the eating and drinking the Sacrament.

This revolts the mind that wants to measure everything which happens by common experience. To the senses what we receive is bread and wine. Just a bit of bread and a sip of wine? How can the infinite God be present truly in the finite? Think of conceived by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary. At one time the Creator God was smaller than the size of a pin head. He was no less God as a zygote than he was playing with his friends as a child. Helping his guardian Joseph. Being hungry, tired and thirsty while being plagued with temptations from Satan. And dead on a hunk of wood for the sins of the world. Yes Jesus, the Creator of matter has no qualms whatsoever of employing it to do his bidding.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? ESV

This is how we flee from idolatry. We take the words of Jesus and say amen to them rather than submit them to rationalization. St Paul also here teaches that when we receive the Holy Supper we receive 4 items. Bread and wine, body and blood. Believe it or not. Like it or not. We have Christ’s strong promise of his coming to each of us in his Holy Supper. Don’t fall victim to the world, flesh and devil by rejecting this promise based solely on not making sense. Look at all the things in the Christian faith we believe without question.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen. †