Taking Jesus at his word
For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you . Do this in memory of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.’ (verses 23-25)
Isn’t it tragic that the sacrament that ought to unite Christians is one of the major things that keeps them apart? People find it hard to agree whether Jesus really meant what he said when he instituted it.
It is equally sad that people sometimes avoid going to the Lord’s table because they feel ‘unworthy’ to go there. They say that they have examined themselves and feel they are ‘not good enough’ to go. And they are right; they are not good enough to go.
But this passage isn’t about being ‘good enough’ to approach the Lord’s table. It’s about knowing what we do when we commune and what we receive. Being worthy simply means this: taking Jesus’ words seriously and therefore receiving what he offers under his grace, and not coming under judgment.
But a word about being ‘good enough’. I am always comforted by what Martin Luther said, that the only people who are worthy to go to holy communion are those who know that they aren’t worthy to go. We go in order to be given forgiveness and new life, not because we deserve to be there!
Jesus, help me to hear your words and to believe what You say. Amen.
by Bob Turnbull, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)
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