MidWeek Lent - Part 5

Most Certainly True

“Prepared by the Word”

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27–32 Supporting: Hebrews 4:14–16; Matthew 11:25–30

Goal

That the hearers understand true preparation for the Lord’s Supper as repentance and faith in Christ’s Word, and so come to the Sacrament with confidence to receive forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Malady

We misunderstand preparation—either taking the Sacrament lightly without repentance or avoiding it altogether because we feel unworthy—forgetting that true preparation is faith in Christ’s promise, not our own worthiness.

Means

Christ prepares us through His Word—calling us to repentance, inviting us in mercy, and giving us faith to receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Introduction

Imagine receiving an invitation to a wedding.

Not just any wedding—but one that matters deeply to you.

You open the envelope.

The paper is thick. The lettering is elegant. Everything about it says, this is important.

And immediately, you begin to think about preparation.

What will I wear? Will I be dressed appropriately? Do I have what I need to attend?

You want to be ready.

You don’t want to show up unprepared.

But now imagine something different.

Imagine that along with the invitation comes everything you need.

The proper clothing is provided. The cost is already covered. Your place at the table is already secured.

You are not preparing to earn your place.

You are preparing because you have already been invited.

And that changes everything.

Now tonight we are talking about preparation for a different kind of meal.

Not a wedding banquet on earth—

but the Lord’s Supper.

And the question before us is this:

What does it mean to be prepared?

St. Paul writes:

“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord… Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

Those are serious words.

And they should be.

Because in the Lord’s Supper, we are not dealing with ordinary food.

We are receiving the true body and blood of Christ.

But here is where we often go wrong.

When we hear words like “examine yourself” and “unworthy manner,” we begin to think:

“I must make myself worthy.”

“I must prepare myself.”

“I must get my life together before I come.”

And so one of two things happens.

Some take the Sacrament lightly. —They come without repentance. —Without reflection. —Without recognizing what is truly being given. —And at the heart of that is a failure to repent.

Others go in the opposite direction.

They stay away. —“I’m not ready.” —“I’m not worthy.” —“I need to do better first.”

But that too is a failure to repent.

Because instead of turning to Christ, they turn inward.

Afraid to face their sin.

Afraid to trust His promise.

But true preparation begins here: with repentance.

And if we need a simple way to say it, here it is:

Repentance is seeing your sin honestly, without excuse or denial.

It is recognizing that you have not loved God with your whole heart, nor your neighbor as yourself.

It is turning from that sin—not just outwardly, but in the heart—and confessing it before God.

But repentance does not end there. Repentance also clings to Christ.

It trusts that what you cannot fix, He has already forgiven.

It believes that His body was given and His blood was shed for you.

Repentance is not getting yourself right for God—it is turning from your sin and trusting that God has made things right for you in Christ.

Now Paul says,

“Let a person examine himself.”

What does that mean? It does not mean searching for worthiness. It means recognizing your unworthiness.

So how do we examine ourselves? We ask: Do I recognize my sin and need? Do I believe that here I receive Christ’s true body and blood, given and shed for me for the forgiveness of sins? If so, that is true preparation.

The problem in Corinth was not that people felt too sinful. The problem was that they did not take the Sacrament seriously. They failed to believe what Christ was giving. Some were getting drunk at the Supper; others were eating their fill while the poor went hungry. They treated Christ’s body and blood as common food, and their brothers and sisters as unimportant.

So what, then, is true preparation? Luther answers it beautifully: “He is properly prepared who believes these words: ‘Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.’”

To “discern the body” is to recognize that here, in bread and wine, is Christ’s true body and blood, and to recognize that those kneeling beside you are members of that same body. So we do not come indifferent to our sins against our neighbor, but confessing them and seeking reconciliation.

Preparation is not about becoming worthy. It is about believing the promise: “Given for you.” “Shed for you.” “For the forgiveness of sins.”

We do not come because we are worthy. We come because we are not. We come because we need what Christ gives: forgiveness, life, salvation.

That is exactly what we heard in our other readings.

Hebrews says:

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Not when we are strong.

But in our time of need.

And Jesus says:

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

That is the invitation.

Not to the worthy.

But to the weary.

Preparation is not meant to drive you away.

It is meant to bring you to the Sacrament.

The Lord’s Supper is not a reward for the righteous.

It is a gift for sinners.

It is medicine for the sick.

If you are burdened— come.

If you are weary— come.

If you are struggling— come.

And, we do not wait to come until we feel we have conquered a particular sin. If we waited until we were no longer struggling, we would never come. The struggle itself, the sorrow over sin, is part of repentance— and Christ’s Supper is given precisely to strengthen you in that struggle.

Conclusion

So tonight, hear what is most certainly true.

You are not prepared because you are worthy.

You are prepared because Christ invites you.

You are prepared because Christ speaks His promise.

You are prepared because you believe His Word.

—“Given for you.”

—“Shed for you.”

—“For the forgiveness of sins.”

And so come.

Come in repentance.

Come confessing your sins.

Come acknowledging your need.

But do not stop there.

Come also in faith.

Come trusting Christ’s Word.

Come believing His promise.

Come not because you are worthy— but because Christ is merciful.

Come not because you are strong— but because you are weak.

Come not because you have no sin— but because you need forgiveness.

For this is why the Lord has given His Supper.

Not for the perfect.

But for repentant sinners who trust His Word.

And there at His Table, you will receive exactly what He promises: forgiveness, life, and salvation.

This is most certainly true.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Gracious Father, You invite us to Your Table not because we are worthy, but because Your Son has made us worthy by His sacrifice. Through Your Word, prepare our hearts in true repentance and faith, that we may receive the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, You call sinners to Yourself and promise rest for the weary. Grant that all who hear Your invitation would not turn away in fear or indifference, but come in humility, trusting Your promise: “given and shed for you.” Strengthen faith in all who struggle, and draw back those who have stayed away from Your gifts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Spirit, work in us true repentance. Lead us to see our sin honestly, to confess it without excuse, and to cling to Christ alone for forgiveness. Keep us from taking the Sacrament lightly, and also from doubting Your mercy. Prepare us by Your Word to receive Christ’s gifts rightly and fruitfully. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious God, strengthen the unity of Your Church. As we who are many are one body in Christ, lead us to love one another, to forgive one another, and to live in peace and reconciliation, rightly discerning the body of Christ both in the Sacrament and among our brothers and sisters. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of all nations, we commend to You our country and all who serve in positions of authority. Grant wisdom to leaders, justice in decisions, and peace among nations. Protect those who serve in the armed forces, especially in areas of conflict, and preserve them in safety according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, comfort all who are burdened in body, mind, or spirit. Strengthen the sick, sustain the weary, and give hope to those who struggle with sin and weakness. Remind them that Your grace is sufficient and that Your power is made perfect in weakness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all comfort, we pray for those who grieve the loss of loved ones. Assure them that Christ has conquered death and that all who trust in Him will be raised to everlasting life. Grant them peace in their sorrow and hope in Your promises. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, keep us steadfast in faith until the day when we shall join the heavenly feast that has no end. Bring us at last to Your eternal table, where we will dwell in Your presence forever. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.