Dear Christian friends:

There are several different names for the Lord's Supper: Sacrament of the Altar, Holy Communion, Holy Supper, Lord's Supper and perhaps others.

One name we do not use often but in older times they used it more is, Eucharist. What does that mean? It means Thanksgiving. Why do they call the Lord's Supper thanksgiving or Eucharist?

Because Jesus gave thanks for it when He instituted it that first Maundy Thursday in the upper room. We read, "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'" (Matthew 26:26)

So tonight let us consider:


Why should we give thanks? By the Holy Supper Christ assures His Church that He is with us always. Not only do we have Jesus' teachings with us, but the Teacher Himself. Satan fights against this teaching. Also, 4th Century Arianism and many churches today deny the real presence of Jesus in the Lord's Supper. (Lutherans only keep it.) They listen to man's reason rather than God's Word.

But Jesus' words are clear. He is really here in the Lord's Supper not only His spirit but His body and blood, His whole human nature. He at Christmas became Man, two natures in one person. Never separated, not even in death. He rose again with His human body changed and glorious. True, we can't see it now. When He ascended He stopped letting us see Him. But at the same time He said, "And I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)

This is the most sweet comfort for us. Dr. Salvner is only a memory. Jesus is not only in our memory but is really here with us although we can't see Him and although we can't understand how. "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20)

Hymn, "Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared", verse five:

"Though reason cannot understand,
yet faith this truth embraces;
your body, Lord, is even now
at once in many places.
I leave to you how this can be;
your Word alone suffices me;
I trust its truth unfailing."

So with Jesus we have good reason to give thanks for the Holy Supper because by it He reminds us of that beautiful truth that He is always with us in our travel through this (here) troubled world.

We have another reason to give thanks for the Lord's Supper, and that is because by the Holy Supper, Jesus seals to us forgiveness of sins. The same gifts and blessings we get from Baptism, Bible and preaching. But the Lord's Supper is an extra seal.

Like when a man gives his girl friend a ring for engagement: He with ring, words and marriage tells her of his love and respect for her and promises to support her and keep her and never forsake her and be true to her. The he puts the ring on her finger as a sign or seal that He will not break His promise.

So here in the Lord's Supper Jesus gives us His body and blood with the bread and wine as a seal of His mercy, love and forgiveness. He does not give us a ring, but His body and blood, the price He paid for our forgiveness. The price He paid He here gives us to eat and drink.

If you owed someone, $100,000 and he said, "I forgive your debt," you may not believe him and still be afraid of him. But if he says, "Here I give you $100,000" and then you hold that money in your hands and go put it in your checking account at the bank and then write out a check to the man for $100,000 then you are sure you are free.

The Lord's Supper is much like that. Our salvation and forgiveness of sins cost the blood of God's holy Son. But we often fear and doubt that God forgives us. And the devil tries to make us give up faith and make us think we are too bad and that God can't forgive us. Especially in time of trouble and sickness or death. So Jesus gives us the price of our salvation, lets us "hold" it, eat it and drink it.

After that our doubts and fears vanish and we are sure. This is very, very comforting for us, very strong medicine for our souls. Where can you receive more comfort and support?

Now those who do not believe about Christ's body and blood in the Lord's Supper they have only a memorial supper and do not have the real value.

That God that in our Lutheran Church we still teach exactly about the Lord's Supper and therefore can give people the greatest comfort.

Oh, thank God for the Holy Supper and come to it often to receive His seal of forgiveness and life everlasting.

Amen.