April 14 2022

14/22 Maundy Thursday



Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm: Psalm 22 (at close of service)

Epistle: Hebrews 10:15-25

Gospel: Luke 22:7-23 (24-46)



Sermon Text: Luke 22:7-20

Sermon Title: “Given … Poured Out … for You”



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

On the night when Jesus was betrayed, He took bread. That was this night, perhaps this very hour, when He instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples; this is also called “the Day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover Lamb had to be sacrificed” (Luke 22:7b) in the evening in remembrance of what the Israelites were told to do; slaughtering the lamb and painting their doorpost with its blood so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes.

“So, Jesus sent Peter and John saying, Go, and prepare the Passover for us … and they said, where will You have us prepare it? Jesus said to them … when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house … and tell the householder; The Teacher says; where is the guest room, where I am to eat the Passover with My disciples? And he will show you a large upper room, furnished; there make ready”. (Luke 22:8-12)

Remember Jesus said similar words to the disciples on Palm Sunday; “Go into the village … and you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat, untie it and bring it to Me. If anyone asks you why, say the Lord has need of it”. (Luke 19:30-31) On that day, they found everything just as Jesus had spoken it. This day also “they went and found it just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover”. (Luke 22:13)

“And when the hour had come, Jesus sat at the table and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God”; (Luke 22:14-16) until His work of redemption, through His death and resurrection, is accomplished.

Now, we have the familiar words of Christ’s institution, “He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He said, take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them saying, this is My body given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. And likewise (He took) the cup after supper saying … this cup, which is poured out for you, is the New Testament/covenant in My blood”. (Luke 22:17-20)

Many other familiar events happened this night after they ate the Passover meal; some of which you heard in the reading; Jesus warns the disciples that one of them will betray Him; the disciples argue amongst themselves one last time about which of them is the greatest; Jesus washed the disciples’ feet; and He pours out His heart in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane; just to name a few. Tomorrow, we continue the story; we will hear of Judas betrayal, Peter’s denial, and Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial.

But tonight, Jesus established what we call “The Sacrament of the Altar” or “The Lord’s Supper” or “Holy Communion” or simply “The Eucharist”. It is along with the Word of God and Holy Baptism; one of the means of grace, by which God pours out His forgiveness upon repentant sinners through the bread and the wine; through the body and blood of Christ. As we just heard Jesus say; “This is My body … My blood”.

This is what we teach in the Small Catechism of Martin Luther; “Sacrament of the Altar, Parts I thru IV”

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink … this is written by the Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul. (Therefore, all communicants receive the body and blood in this sacrament, whether they believe it or not)

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

These words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” show us that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us through these words. (including strengthening of our faith to live our new life in Him)

How can this 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 … whoever believes these words has exactly what they say; the forgiveness of sins. (It is only through faith that we receive the benefits offered here.)

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 … 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. (So, outward preparation is not required, but faith in Christ and repentance are required)

Therefore, the Apostle Paul tells us to “examine ourselves, to see whether we are holding to the faith”. (2nd Corinthians 13:5a) “Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body and blood, eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died”. (1st Corinthians 11:28-30)

So, we examine ourselves, to see whether we are sorry for our sins; believe in the forgiveness Christ offers, and plan with the help of the Holy Spirit to amend our sinful lives”. (Small Catechism, # 303) Better to confess our sins and accept the chastening of the Lord, to come as poor beggars, hungry for grace; than to be “condemned along with the world” (1st Corinthians 11:32) as Paul describes it. Remember that “Our use of the supper professes (is) a common confession of faith”. (Walther, Holy Week Sermon)

On the other hand, this sacrament is designed for those who feel/think themselves weak in faith; “for Christ instituted the Sacrament for the very purpose of strengthening and increasing our faith”; as Luther said, it is “a pure and wholesome remedy … for soul and body”. (Small and Large Catechism) As the father of the demon possessed boy cried out, “I believe, help my unbelief”. (Mark 9:24)

All that Christ does this night and tomorrow; the agony (sweating drops of blood) in the Garden of Gethsemane; the mocking and beating and suffering and death; is for us and for our salvation. Twice this night before His arrest, Christ urges His disciples and us to “pray that you may not enter into temptation”. (Luke 22:46b) Pray to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and gladly receive the gifts of the One who has given His life for you and for the world; who said “Take eat, this is My body … take and drink, this is My blood … given and shed for you”; “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”. (1st Corinthians 11:26) Amen

The peace of God …

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