After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way,after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:17-20 (NIV)
After 11 years together, they were family. At least the pastor thought of them that way as he slowly walked in a semi-circle, speaking and giving, speaking and giving.
He placed the wafer into a grizzled hand, bent with 70 years of hard work. Take and eat, this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus, given for you. How that elderly brother needed his Savior. The pastor knew what others never would: the man grieved deeply for his spouse, now in heaven seven years. He struggled to focus on the empty tomb rather than emptying a bottle to drown his grief. The pastor silently interceded—Hosanna! Save now, O Lord—for that Christian pilgrim. Given for you, the very body hung on the tree to cover all sin. Let there be no doubt, dear Jesus, that you forgive him.
Take and drink, this cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you. The teen’s hand trembled when reaching for the cup. The pastor sighed another prayer, for he knew her hurts as well. Her earnest questions in confirmation class reflected a home marked by shouting and sneers, not love and encouragement. Hosanna! Save now, O Lord.How she needed her Savior’s unrelenting love while her family loved so little. Poured out for you, the very blood she now received in, with, and under the wine. Let there be no doubt, dear Jesus, how much you love her.
The meal, the miracle, continued. For 20 minutes believers came forward to receive their Savior. What a meal, the pastor thought. May the Spirit show his people what is truly here! It is a meal with a past, going back to the night the Savior himself ate the Passover. The ancient feast, where believers consumed that which saved them, was fulfilled in that upper room. The Lamb was slain to rescue the world, his blood the only barrier against eternal death!
It is a meal with a present—and giving powerful presents: strength for our pilgrimage, strength only the Savior can provide as he gives us himself, truly present. It is a meal with a forever future. In this sacrament, we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
Help us pray, the pastor thought, with sincere hearts the prayer of the Church: Lord Jesus Christ, through the blood of your covenant, you have made us worthy to receive your Holy Supper. You join us with believers throughout the world and throughout the ages by your body given for us. In this sacrament time and eternity meet as we celebrate a foretaste of the feast of heaven. As we receive your true body and blood, we rejoice in our salvation through you, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen
Special thanks to Martin Luther College (MLC) for the Holy Week Meditations.
Author of today’s meditation: President Mark Zarling