3.22.2015 5th Sunday in Lent Mark 14:12-31 The Lord’s Supper
The Last Supper
From
Luther’s Small Catechism
AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT
IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
What
is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us
Christians to eat and to drink.
Where
is this written?
The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and St Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed,
took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the
disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This
do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper,
and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of
you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the
forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
What is the benefit of this eating and
drinking?
These words, “Given and shed for you for
the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life,
and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness
of sins, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such
great things?
Certainly not just eating and drinking do
these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the
forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,
are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly
what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”
Who receives this sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation are
certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well
prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the
forgiveness of sins.” But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts
them is unworthy and unprepared,
for the
words “for you” require all hearts to believe.[2]
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the
unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what
you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied
changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are
to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]
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