First Week of Advent
“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24b-25 ESV
Misunderstandings happen from time to time. It’s an unfortunate part of life in this fallen world. I was once asked by a concerned parent after a Vacation Bible School session how I could forgive anyone their sins. I remember answering that Jesus authorizes all of His disciples to announce the forgiveness He won on Calvary. It’s true. It’s true that the Pastor says, “I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” But he’s not offering his own forgiveness, but pointing to the cross of Jesus that He paid for all sins. It’s because of Jesus’ sacrifice, not the pastor’s word, that sins stand forgiven. (See: John 20:22-23, 1 John 1:7, “The Office of the Keys”)
So also, when we come to the Lord’s Supper. It’s true that the pastor (or a helper) hands the bread to me and speaks and then the wine…but it’s not really the pastor who is speaking. It’s Jesus. He’s the one who comes to us in the Sacrament and says: “This is my body, given for you; this is my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
Jesus comes to us in the Sacrament of the Altar. He comforts our hearts. He chases our fears. We are forgiven! He would know. He confirms that He gave his body and shed His blood to make it so.
Jesus comes again in mercy When our hearts are bowed with care;
Jesus comes again in answer to an earnest, heart-felt prayer;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Comes to save us from despair.
The Lutheran Hymnal 56:2