Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday (2025)

1 Cor 11:23-32

My Brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin the series of services that are joined as a prolonged meditation upon the passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, all that he suffered for us and all that he accomplished for our sakes. That He might win for us the riches and treasures of heaven. These services are so ordered that we may be encouraged and lifted up and rejoice in God’s bountiful gifts. The gift that we meditate upon tonight is the gift of Holy Communion. It should be no surprise that throughout the history of the church that these words Christ spoke here have caused such great tension and division. For when Jesus gives to His people a gift, Satan will seek to undermine it and tear it down that we may be separated and cut off from the gifts of God’s grace. But we will cling to Christ’s precious words and in them find comfort, hope, and our salvation.

On this night that Jesus was betrayed, He had longed to partake of this meal with them, that they might receive the fruits of His sacrifice on Calvary. What we witness is a reversal of the fall of mankind. For the Scriptures tell us back in the garden, that it was by a tree that mankind was overcome. Adam and Eve had been warned not to eat of the fruit of the tree by which good or evil are known, but Satan took that Word which God had given them and twisted it. So whereas before by abiding to God’s Word and listening to him, and by refusing to eat of that tree, they showed their love, and gave glory to God who was their creator. Satan used it to bring about their downfall.

When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of that tree, they brought death, suffering, and misery to mankind and that has been passed on throughout the generations. They abandoned the Word and instead embraced their own desires, their own wills, and following their hearts walked away from God’s Word. So by the fruit of that tree mankind was overcome, and brought down into this miserable slavery. But God promised to rescue us from this dreadful state and restore us to life and to His kingdom.

It is quite surprising then that God chose the cross to bring about our redemption. For whereas man had no sin, and the garden was perfect and full of life, that God would then use not a symbol of painful death, but it was made of a dead tree, and God would place upon that tree His Son who carried the sins of the world to bear fruit for eternal life. Whereas the fruit of that first tree killed mankind, this tree gives to us salvation as Christ submits to the Will of His Father in heaven. The fruit this tree of death bore answers some astonishing questions from Jesus ministry.

How is it that we would eat his flesh, and drink his blood? Early in the Gospel of John this caused great offense, but on this night now we know. That in this Sacrament God would give to His people that gift of eternal life as we partake not just of bread and wine, but the body and blood of Christ which was offered up in Sacrifice for you. For what does Jesus say? This is my body, this is my blood. So here is where we receive the gift of eternal life. Here is where mankind receives hope and salvation and we are united in this moment with the Cross of Jesus that we might know our sins are forgiven and that we have peace with God. That’s why this Sacrament is so precious to us.

Now it should not surprise us that just as long ago Satan corrupted the meaning of God’s Word in the garden and led Adam and Eve into death that he would also try to corrupt this Sacred meal and have it bring death to those who are seeking the forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation that Christ has won here on Calvary. So there have been a lot of fights and lot of heartache around the Sacrament, because that is what Satan wants. He wants to tear down the good things and bring death for he cannot stand the blessings of God. So we must be on guard about the Sacrament for it is precious to Christ to celebrate it with the disciples, and it is where Jesus comes to His people.

So we want to be clear and treasure these words. This is my body, we don’t understand how, for it is a mystery, but that doesn’t change the fact that God said it. So when people try to change it to fit their understanding, we must be on guard for that is how Satan lead us into death so long ago. Is means is. It doesn’t mean symbolize, or represent, or is similar to or like. Is means is, and a faithful heart says to that Amen. Which means Yes yes it shall be so. We trust Christ’s Word for we cannot call him a liar and then claim to want his gifts.

Now why don’t we hand out communion to every one? Especially when Close(d) Communion causes so many hard feelings and difficulties. Why can’t we just bend on this? This is another spot where Satan attacks the church and would have us hand this out to each and every soul without regard, and ignore what the Bible says here. That there is a threat that comes with Holy Communion and if a person goes up to that rail, and takes it wrongly they come under judgment.

Is that why Christ instituted the supper? Is that why He shed His blood for us, is that why Jesus suffered and died. So that we might take of this Sacrament to our own harm and damnation? No! That’s why we don’t hand it out to everyone, not because we hate them, but because they would receive it for the wrong purpose and come under God’s Wrath. That would be horrible. Yet Satan would once again have us ignore God’s Word, and have everyone come up to the altar without a single care about whether they take it for their benefit, or for their own destruction.

For just as the tree of the Garden was a source of Good so long as they had abided by God’s command, and became a tree that brought death through their disobedience, the fruit of the cross can bring blessing when distributed according to Jesus’ command, or it can bring damnation to those who ignore it. Have we learned nothing from our parents? Let us abide by God’s Word, let us receive it rightly and treat it with the reverence that God has commanded that no one who comes to the altar may perish.

Jesus gives us His body and Blood and why does he do that? Listen to Jesus’ words. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

So all who can receive this safely and well, prioritize this over everything else. for here Christ comes to you. If you have friends or family who are not able to receive it safely with us, let them know that we ask folks to wait until they can receive it safely. For the Scriptures have told us that if they take it wrongly they risk great harm. For if you would take it to your harm, it is better to wait. It is our desire and Christ’s desire that everyone would be able to take the sacrament safely and for their own benefit. But one must be properly prepared.

For this is the medicine of immortality, this is the fruit of Christ’s Cross, and it is something that every Christian ought to prepare to receive safely for their benefit. So encourage them and even come with them to visit with myself and to take those steps to see if they can partake of the supper with us and learn what is all involved.

So my brothers and sisters in Christ, let us approach the Sacrament this night, with reverence and great care, for Christ has given to us a wonderful treasure on the night that He was betrayed, but be on guard for just as Satan long ago twisted God’s Word, that same thing happens around the Sacrament and we should not let Satan steal from us this most precious gift which was given for the forgiveness of our sins. May we guard this rail out of love for our neighbors. In Jesus name. Amen.