Maundy Thursday (CL) April 17th

Luke 22:1-23

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. ² And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

³ Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. ⁴ He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶ So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸ So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” ⁹ They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” ¹⁰ He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters ¹¹ and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹² And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” ¹³ And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁴ And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ²¹ But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²² For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” ²³ And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

The time for the feast has come. The sacrifice is ready. It is time to celebrate. This is not a time of mourning or sorrow for the twelve. This is a time to gather in rememberance of what God has done for his people. We recall the sacrifices that were made in the land of Egypt. We recount the sacrifices made in the wilderness. We join with the happy throng that sings the praises of the great “I Am.”

Jesus brings this to a somber note. He brings the reclined heads low. He tells them this is the last time he will drink of this until the Kingdom of God comes. He tells them that one of them has already set in motion the plan to betray him. Satan has entered one of them and will deliver him up to be crucified. The heads turn to one another in shock, and the mood grows cold.

But this is not as grave of news as it sounds. Jesus is the sacrifice of the new covenant. This bread is his very body, which was sacrificed for the forgiveness of your sins. This cup is the very blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins. So who ever eats this bread and drinks this cup believing in Christ’s words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” has exactly what those words declare, “Forgiveness of sins.” Therefore, we do not only Celebrate the victories God won for the people of Israel, but the Victory Christ won for you upon the cross.

OT: Deuteronomy 16:1-8

OTA: Exodus 12:1-14

NT: Philippians 4:10-21 (21-23)

NTA: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

GA: Mark 14:10-31

Ps: Psalm 137:1-9

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

 These words, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," shows 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.

O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion.  Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.