A Great Treasure - The Benefit of the Lord's Supper

The Benefit of the Lord’s Supper

Jesus Christ instituted His Holy Supper for His Church of all times, saying, “This do in remembrance of Me,” and for this reason we perform this sacred act, because without our eating and drinking the Sacrament does not exist.

As we celebrate the Holy Supper, we do so giving praise to Christ for what He has done for us. It is an act of thanksgiving. And what looms large in the process is not the act we do, but what God has done and continues to do. When we gather for the Lord’s Supper we don’t do anything to merit God’s grace, but through this gift we receive His grace.

“For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified . . . and there is no longer any offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:14, 18). “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all…” (Romans 6:9-10). The atonement rendered by Christ is all-sufficient; we don’t add to it, we accept it. The Lord’s Supper is a holy meal, not because of our eating and drinking, but on account of the wonderful gift it bestows.

THE BENEFIT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER is that it gives the

Forgiveness of Sins.

Our Lord Jesus, Himself, said exactly this: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus reminds us in the Word of Institution — which He speaks to us even now — that He offers to us in the Holy Supper the body that was given into death for us, and the blood that was shed for us. He suffered and died, not for His own sins – for He had none – but, as the words declare, “for you,” for us, for the many, and that “for the forgiveness of sins.” As a result, God does not count our sins to against us, but justifies us freely by grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The Words of Institution spoken over the bread & wine upon the altar assure us that every person who comes to the Table receives the very body and blood, which Christ paid as a ransom to purchase forgiveness for us. Therefore, “in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins is given us through these words.” These words the assure us that forgiveness is given to each one individually and emphatically. The Gospel proclaims and applies forgiveness freely and abundantly to all who will have it. But in the Lord’s Supper more is done.

The very remembrance of Christ is a flowing fountain of forgiveness, and Christ, according to His promise, give us His own body and blood as a pledge and assurance of the forgiveness of sins, saying, as it were, to every repentant sinner: “As surely as with your mouth you eat My body and drink My blood your sins are forgiven, for I gave this My body and this My blood for them. Your sins are forgiven. You are accepted by God. For you I died.”

What a precious gift we have in the Lord’s Supper! It is not, like Baptism and the Word, to generate faith in our hearts, for Holy Communion requires and presupposes faith. Rather, it offers and conveys grace to us by giving us, as a seal upon the Gospel promises, Christ’s body and blood, and thus it strengthens and nourishes our faith, and makes each one doubly certain that his sins are forgiven.

Life.

The living words of Christ in in the Sacrament, gives us life; “for,” says Luther, “where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life.” The Lord’s Supper does not benefit us physically because sin is spiritual death. On the other hand, the forgiveness of sin is the birth of spiritual life, a regenerate life, the life in and with God, life in holiness and righteousness before God. The Sacrament was NOT given to implant life; it requires and presupposes life, which is given in Baptism and faith, engendered by the Word. However, the Supper of our Lord’s body and blood renews, refreshes, quickens, stimulates this new life. Luther said of this Sacrament:

“The Holy Supper is rightly regarded as food for the soul, which nourishes and strengthens the new man; for through Baptism we are first born again, but there still remains the Old Adam in our flesh and blood. There are so many temptations through in the way by the world and the devil that we often grow weary and sometimes fall. Hence the Holy Supper is given us as a daily nourishment and food, that our faith may grow and be strengthened, and that in such contest it may not grow weary nor fall back, but ever grow stronger and stronger, for the new life must be such as always to increase and progress.”

For this reason, we take it, not once in a lifetime, not one a year, but frequently. As the body needs nourishment, so does the soul; which is why our Lord gave us this treasure! Jesus says, “I am the Life. I am the Bread of Life. I am the living Bread come from heaven. “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” (John 6:53).

Life in Christ is given to us in the Sacrament. Know this, dear friends, If you come saying, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” you go away justified and comforted, your joy in forgiveness is evidence of the new life. On the other hand, if you feel no joy, but believe the Word of Christ, you have new life, and this new life is strengthened by your communion with Christ, Who is the Life. The point is — regardless of how we feel — all who believe the word of Christ goes away from the Supper with God’s blessing and power from on high upon us.

The Lord’s Supper is the most intimate communion with Christ, and participating in this Meal we are again assured that He is with us always, and that one day we shall see Him face to face, where He will wipe all tears from our faces; and we come away from the Table with the resolve to bear our burdens unflinchingly, and to trust in our Savior’s love.

Not only is the Supper an intimate communion with Christ, our Lord uses this Supper to create a bond between us as members of Christ’s body. This bond is strengthened each time we receive the Sacrament. As Christ came to establish good will among humanity, we determine to put away selfishness, self-interest, pride, envy, hatred, which cause divisions resulting in spiritual harm.

Our spiritual life is strengthened by this blessed Sacrament, assuring us of eternal life in heaven. For where there is forgiveness of sin, there is not only life, but

Salvation

Salvation belongs to us even now. God’s love is ours, though we still live in this sinful flesh. The spiritual life begins and grows here, but eternal life in heaven is not ours just yet. In heaven we will finally and forever be delivered from all the stuff – the ills – of soul and body. Sin, suffering, death, shall be no more. In heaven we will enter into the peace and rest of our God, and experience the joy of perfect holiness in His presence. God Himself, who loves us even here in the midst of our sinful, chaotic lives, will preserve us for His heavenly kingdom (Romans 8:38-39).

So, the Lord’s Supper is a deposit, a pledge, that our hope is not in vain. Even as Christ fills our hearts with comfort and peace and joy, He will much more give us the greater joy of heaven. In Holy Baptism Christ gave you a new spiritual life, and by His Word He daily nourishes it. BUT, in the Lord’s Supper He gives His own body and blood to strengthen us against all that spiritual dangers that come our way.

Is Jesus Christ not the One who created and sustains all things? All His leading in Your life are intended to further the growth of the new life He began in you. The sunshine of abundance comes our way, along with the thunder of adversity, and the gentle dew of God’s heavenly Word. If you let Him work in your life, trusting in Him — instead of resisting Him — rest assured your life will grow into eternal life. Simply grow as He has planted and now desires to nourish you. Dear sisters and brothers, see Him at work in His vineyard around this communion Table, for this is assurance His salvation is yours.

The Lord’s Supper is not a mere memorial, but, like Baptism and the Gospel, it is a means of grace that imparts forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Therefore, we should use it frequently. A true Christian feels it both his duty and privilege to use it. Christ said, “this do in remembrance of Me.” We ought to remember Him gratitude for all He has done for us. But if this is not your conviction, then there is a problem, because Jesus Christ promises you a great treasure. If one who despises and neglects this treasure, their heart is not right. We need the benefits of the Sacrament on account of our sins. If you think your sins are too great, remember that, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.

There are a group of Christian brothers and sisters known today as, “The Martyrs of Abitine.

1,716 year ago — February, in the year 304 AD — during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, there was a town in the Roman province of Africa called Abitinae. Diocletian has published an edict against the Christians, ordering the destruction of the Scriptures and the places of worship; and prohibited the Christian from gathering for worship, including receiving the Lord’s Supper.

Some complied, but a Pastor and some parishioners continued to meet and met in the Pastor’s home, despite the edict. They were caught, arrested, tortured and ultimately were martyred for the faith in February 304.

A powerful and moving response came from one of the accused by the name of Emeritus. When asked why they had violated the Emperor’s command Emeritus responded, “We cannot live without the Holy Supper of our Lord.” The result? 49 men, women, and children were martyred for their refusal to deny Christ.

Acts 2:42 tells how beginning with the first Christian congregation in Jerusalem, the brothers met daily for the Lord’s supper. Christ’s command, Christ’s promise, and our own need; may these bring us often to the Lord’s Table.

Let us pray:

O Lord Jesus Christ, in Your Holy Supper You left us a remembrance of Your death, and through it are pleased to give us the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. I pray that You would stir-up our hearts, and instill within us a desire for the treasure of Your body and blood. May we seek and receive Your presence often.

Enable us at all times to celebrate the mystery of Your body and blood in penitence and faith that we may always obtain the benefits and fruits of Your redemption. May the forgiveness purchased by Your innocent death be imparted and sealed to us anew as we partake of Your Supper. May be always be strengthened by it in faith toward You, in patience and hope, in fervent love toward one another, unto all holy obedience in newness of life. And may Your Sacrament be to us a foretaste and pledge of our final redemption, that we may praise You here in this realm, and hereafter in eternity. In your mighty and powerful name. Amen.