Maundy Thursday AKRON 4-2-2015—Lucky Pugh
The Miraculous in Holy Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23–29
Sermon: The Miraculous in Holy Communion
(1 Corinthians 11:23–29)
Let us Pray: Father we offer our thanks for the precious gift that you have given to us this day. You brought your only son to us that He would suffer and die a terrible death on a cross, he willingly gave His life, that we would have the gift of eternal life. It is with grateful hearts we give thanks for the institution of Holy Communion. Amen
During this Lenten Season, we have been turning our attention to miracles of the Passion: to the three hours of darkness on that first Good Friday from 12 noon to 3 o’clock in the afternoon; to the torn temple curtain, the earthquake, splitting of rocks, the opening of graves and the raising to life of many saints; to the miraculous faith of the Roman Soldiers who were directly responsible for crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today is Holy Thursday, the day on which our Savior instituted what we call Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar, or the Eucharist. This evening, I would like to direct your attention to the miraculous in Holy Communion.
There are different views in regard to the miraculous in Holy Communion. Before we consider those views, it seems only right and proper that we consider the scriptural basis for Holy Communion.
The scriptural basis is found in the Words of Institution as found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. The Words of Institution in our Divine Service are a composite of all four. Also, words found in 1 Corinthians 10, 11, and Ephesians 4:10 are important.
The words of Institution read:
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take eat, this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:16: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
Also, in 1 Corinthians 11:27–29, St. Paul wrote:
Whoever, therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Again, St. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:10: “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.”
The Roman Catholic Church holds one view of the miraculous in Holy Communion. They hold that Holy Communion is very miraculous. They believe that in Holy Communion, when the priest consecrates the bread and the wine, that the bread is miraculously changed into the body of Christ and the wine is miraculously changed into the blood of Christ. In fact, they hold that the bread and wine are not only changed into the body and blood of Christ but that they are changed into “Christ, whole, entire, inclusive of His body, blood, soul and His divinity.” This is the case whether anyone communes or not.
Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin promoted the opposing view, often known as the “Reformed” view, in the sixteenth-century Radical Reformation in Switzerland. They denied that there is anything miraculous in Holy Communion.
The Reformed have a different view of the person of Christ. They believe that He is truly man and truly God, but that there is no Personal Union, no Communication of Attributes. It is as if there is a barrier between His human and His divine nature. Consequently, when Christ ascended, His body went up to heaven and He now sits at the right hand of God (the Father).
On their Communion table, then, there is bread and grape juice, but they are simply a reminder of the body and the blood of Christ, sacrificed on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins. Holy Communion is a time to remember, to meditate.
Lutherans—along with Christians in the apostolic era, the Early Church, and up to the sixteenth century—believe that Holy Communion is miraculous. We believe in the Personal Union of Christ and in the Communication of Attributes. For Lutherans, the person of Christ is a mystery. We can’t understand it. But we believe that the one Christ, true man and true God, ascended, and that His sitting at the right hand of God is not really a spatial relationship but rather a functional relationship. In Ephesians 4:10 we read that Christ ascended “far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.”
As Lutherans, we believe that the Roman Catholic Church is going way beyond the Scriptures and are saying too much. We believe that the Reformed are saying far too little.
As Lutherans, we believe that in Holy Communion Christ is truly or really present. Dr. Martin Luther tried to explain this marvelous mystery by saying that in, with, and under the bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ, given to us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith.
Our pastors say as the elements are distributed:
Take, eat: this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Take, drink, this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart in peace. Amen.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take eat, this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart in peace. Amen.
Sermon ---Mike Harty
We Would Like to See Jesus
Palm Sunday 3/29/2015
John 12:12-19 Series C
Grace, mercy and peace be unto God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Imagine yourself in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. There was a great crowd there that day that had come to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. I can imagine it was something like what we see in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Josephus, the notable Jewish historian, estimated that over two million people were involved in the great Passover Feast. It is known that 256,500 lambs were slain at one Passover and that each lamb represented at least ten worshippers. Thousands from all over the world were flooding into the city to observe the Passover. The mass of people and the necessary housing and food arrangements to handle such a mass of people can hardly be imagined.
An excitable carnival-like atmosphere was bound to prevail over such a mob of people. Lots of people jamming the streets of the city, getting ready to celebrate. But as they prepared to observe one of the most important feasts that the Jewish people celebrated all year, word came that Jesus was on his way into the city.
It is a rare thing that all four gospels record the same event in Jesus’ life. Sometimes one or two gospels record an event; some events in Jesus’ life are recorded in three gospel accounts. But what happens on this day in Jerusalem is recorded by all four of the gospel writers. For that reason alone, we should consider what happened here to be important.
The crowd gathers as Jesus rides into the city on the colt of a donkey and they begin to wave palm branches and shout their welcome to Jesus. But who were the faces in that crowd that day? If you were there, who would you see? And what were they thinking?
I believe that as we examine the crowd that was present that particular day, we may find ourselves and some of those around us.
First, the Roman soldiers were there.
As the crowd begins to honor Jesus, I’m sure it gets the attention of the Roman soldiers.
There were probably a large number of soldiers who gathered to see what was going on, for they were charged with keeping the Jewish people under control. After all, the Romans were the ones in control of this country.
What did this demonstration mean to the Romans? Nothing is recorded about the Roman viewpoint, but it is certain that they kept a close watch that day. During the annual Passover feast, it was not uncommon for some of the Jewish zealots to try to arouse the people to fight back against the Roman occupation of their city and their country. Maybe they thought this parade was that kind of an event. Maybe they were expecting to have to quell a riot.
But then here comes Jesus, riding on a donkey’s colt. I imagine that some of the Roman soldiers must have smiled at the “Triumphal Entry,” because it was nothing like their own triumphal celebrations back in Rome. I’m sure the Roman soldiers who were there were smiling and laughing a little. They’d probably seen this type of tribute before.
Whenever a Roman general was victorious on foreign soil, killing at least 5,000 of the enemy, and gaining new territory, he was given a “Roman triumph” celebration when he returned to the city. It was the Roman equivalent of the American “ticker-tape parade,” only with much more splendor.
The general would ride into the city in a gold-covered chariot with white stallions pulling it, a symbol of a warrior. The general would display the trophies he had won. The enemy leaders he had captured would be paraded in chains down the street behind the general. The parade ended at the arena where some of the captives entertained the people by fighting wild beasts.
Yes, I bet some of these soldiers probably laughed at the antics of the Jerusalem crowd that day, and at the sight of this so-called King. What real king would ride on a dumb donkey? What powerful leader would stoop so low? They probably found it amusing. Compared to a “Roman triumph,” our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was nothing.
Isn’t that how some people treat Jesus today? They are amused by the stories about Him. They laugh at Him and at people who worship Him. How could sophisticated people be so ignorant they say? After all, what educated person would believe some of the things that people say He did? Make the blind to see. The lame to walk. The deaf to hear. Walk on water. Calm storms with a word. Feed 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish! Who in their right mind would believe such things? So they just laugh at Christians who have faith in this Jesus of Nazareth.
There were probably some of those in the crowd that day.
And then there was probably another group of people there that day. If we go back to some earlier verses in John, Chapter 12, we see those people.
Before Jesus had come to Jerusalem, he spent some time with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. And we see another large crowd there. But John says they were there, not just to see Jesus, but to see this man Lazarus who, as the story goes, had been raised from the dead.
This crowd wanted to see what was going on there. These people were there to see the show, not to see the Master. They wanted to know what was going on, they weren’t really interested in why Jesus was there. These are people who were half-sincere seekers. They see the crowd gathering at the dinner Jesus was attending, and they wanted to be a part of the party.
The crowd came to see the spectacular, that is, to see Lazarus, the man rumored to have been raised from the dead. They were anxious to see one who had experienced such a phenomenal event and to see if a resurrected man was any different.
And the crowd came to a social occasion, a festive atmosphere. They came to the banquet. Wherever Jesus was there was action and things were happening. It was where everyone was gathering. They wanted to join the party.
Isn’t that why some people come to church today, to see the show and join the party? They don’t come to worship the King, but they come to see who’s singing. They come because their friends are there. They come to socialize. They come, maybe, to see if they, like Lazarus, can get in on the good stuff. And look out if there’s food. Don’t get in the way or you might get knocked down if there’s a meal. They’re there to get what they can, not to worship the King. They’re there to see the miracles, not to see the King.
You know, I think, sadly, that’s why some churches are becoming megachurches. They’re drawing the crowds, yes. Lot’s of people are attending. But people are coming because of the great concerts that are available. They’re there because of the orchestra. They come for the sing-along. They come for the show. They come so they can say they go to that big church that always has its name in the paper because of some event that’s taking place. They come because they are easily influenced. They come for the events and the exciting atmosphere. And if that’s missing, or if there’s something they don’t like, they don’t show up.
How many sitting in the presence of the Lord and His church today are only half-sincere? How many come to church just because it is the thing to do, the place to be, the place where everyone else is? How many seek the spectacular signs only?
That’s the attitude of some. What will you do for me Jesus? What will you give me?
How many want the miracles, but miss the Master. There were probably some of those in the crowd that day.
And then there was another group of people there that day. The religious leaders were there.
Wherever the power was, that was where you’d find these Pharisees. Wherever the prestige was, you could be sure they would be there. They wanted the praise. They wanted the glory. They wanted to be looked up to and they wanted to be the ones who had all the influence. They were fine as long as they were the center of attention, but look out if someone else received the praise.
People were beginning to come to Jesus and follow Him. And the Pharisees knew that this meant their powerful political positions were in jeopardy.
How tragic it is that religious positions sometimes become political.
How tragic it is that men reject Christ for the things of this world.
How tragic it is that men swap eternity for social and political gain.
These preachers and teachers, these church leaders, were only interested in themselves. They were only interested in the prestige of their positions. And they were going to oppose anyone and anything that threatened their power.
God isn’t pleased with that kind of leadership.
There are many in the church today who want the visible positions. They want the power. They want to be the movers and shakers. And to gain a following, they’ll say anything that is popular and that makes them popular. They’ll preach the prosperity gospel. Come to Jesus and all your cares and troubles will be over. Come to Jesus and he’ll give you all that you want.
They’ll say anything to gain a following. They’ll preach what the crowd wants to hear, not what the Bible says. Rather than pointing men and women to Jesus, they point to themselves. They want people to follow them, and not God. They want to say they were the ones who produced the big churches. They were responsible for the big crowds. They point to themselves, not to Jesus.
Yes, there were some of these bad shepherds in the crowd that day. And they even went so far as to plot to do away with Jesus.
These were the people in the crowd that day.
•The ones who were amused and laughed at Jesus.
•The ones who wanted to join the party and get what was in it for themselves.
•And there were the ones who wanted the power and the prestige.
Oh yes. I almost forgot one. You see, there was one more group there that day.
“We would like to see Jesus.”
Oh that we would all say that. Oh that we would all come into His presence to glorify and honor Him. Oh what a difference it would make in our lives if we would say, “We would like to see Jesus.”
For when we see Jesus and worship His Holy Name, God is glorified. When we recognize that this Jesus represents the love that God has for us, a love that would send Him to the cross to die for us, we can be changed. When we come to the realization that God gave His only Son to die for you and for me that we might not perish but have everlasting life, it changes our perspective. When we see and believe this glorious truth; then we really begin to worship Him. We begin to bow down and surrender our whole beings to God. We begin to follow and obey His will, to honor and praise Him for all He has done and is doing for us. Yes, when we really seek Jesus, that’s when the name of God is glorified. That’s when real worship occurs.
Those people in the crowd that day were shouting something that was far more significant than they realized.
Hosanna, they shouted. Hosanna.
This Hebrew word means “he who saves.” They were welcoming their King.
But this was not a king that would reign over Israel. No, this King was far more important, far more powerful than any king on earth.
For although they didn’t realize it, they were honoring the King of heaven. They were honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords. They were honoring the King that would triumph over death. They were singing praises to the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world with his body and blood which was shed on the cross.
Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing today?
Now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We Would Like to See Jesus
Palm Sunday 3/29/2015
John 12:12-19 Series C
Grace, mercy and peace be unto God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Imagine yourself in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. There was a great crowd there that day that had come to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. I can imagine it was something like what we see in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Josephus, the notable Jewish historian, estimated that over two million people were involved in the great Passover Feast. It is known that 256,500 lambs were slain at one Passover and that each lamb represented at least ten worshippers. Thousands from all over the world were flooding into the city to observe the Passover. The mass of people and the necessary housing and food arrangements to handle such a mass of people can hardly be imagined.
An excitable carnival-like atmosphere was bound to prevail over such a mob of people. Lots of people jamming the streets of the city, getting ready to celebrate. But as they prepared to observe one of the most important feasts that the Jewish people celebrated all year, word came that Jesus was on his way into the city.
It is a rare thing that all four gospels record the same event in Jesus’ life. Sometimes one or two gospels record an event; some events in Jesus’ life are recorded in three gospel accounts. But what happens on this day in Jerusalem is recorded by all four of the gospel writers. For that reason alone, we should consider what happened here to be important.
The crowd gathers as Jesus rides into the city on the colt of a donkey and they begin to wave palm branches and shout their welcome to Jesus. But who were the faces in that crowd that day? If you were there, who would you see? And what were they thinking?
I believe that as we examine the crowd that was present that particular day, we may find ourselves and some of those around us.
First, the Roman soldiers were there.
As the crowd begins to honor Jesus, I’m sure it gets the attention of the Roman soldiers.
There were probably a large number of soldiers who gathered to see what was going on, for they were charged with keeping the Jewish people under control. After all, the Romans were the ones in control of this country.
What did this demonstration mean to the Romans? Nothing is recorded about the Roman viewpoint, but it is certain that they kept a close watch that day. During the annual Passover feast, it was not uncommon for some of the Jewish zealots to try to arouse the people to fight back against the Roman occupation of their city and their country. Maybe they thought this parade was that kind of an event. Maybe they were expecting to have to quell a riot.
But then here comes Jesus, riding on a donkey’s colt. I imagine that some of the Roman soldiers must have smiled at the “Triumphal Entry,” because it was nothing like their own triumphal celebrations back in Rome. I’m sure the Roman soldiers who were there were smiling and laughing a little. They’d probably seen this type of tribute before.
Whenever a Roman general was victorious on foreign soil, killing at least 5,000 of the enemy, and gaining new territory, he was given a “Roman triumph” celebration when he returned to the city. It was the Roman equivalent of the American “ticker-tape parade,” only with much more splendor.
The general would ride into the city in a gold-covered chariot with white stallions pulling it, a symbol of a warrior. The general would display the trophies he had won. The enemy leaders he had captured would be paraded in chains down the street behind the general. The parade ended at the arena where some of the captives entertained the people by fighting wild beasts.
Yes, I bet some of these soldiers probably laughed at the antics of the Jerusalem crowd that day, and at the sight of this so-called King. What real king would ride on a dumb donkey? What powerful leader would stoop so low? They probably found it amusing. Compared to a “Roman triumph,” our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was nothing.
Isn’t that how some people treat Jesus today? They are amused by the stories about Him. They laugh at Him and at people who worship Him. How could sophisticated people be so ignorant they say? After all, what educated person would believe some of the things that people say He did? Make the blind to see. The lame to walk. The deaf to hear. Walk on water. Calm storms with a word. Feed 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish! Who in their right mind would believe such things? So they just laugh at Christians who have faith in this Jesus of Nazareth.
There were probably some of those in the crowd that day.
And then there was probably another group of people there that day. If we go back to some earlier verses in John, Chapter 12, we see those people.
Before Jesus had come to Jerusalem, he spent some time with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. And we see another large crowd there. But John says they were there, not just to see Jesus, but to see this man Lazarus who, as the story goes, had been raised from the dead.
This crowd wanted to see what was going on there. These people were there to see the show, not to see the Master. They wanted to know what was going on, they weren’t really interested in why Jesus was there. These are people who were half-sincere seekers. They see the crowd gathering at the dinner Jesus was attending, and they wanted to be a part of the party.
The crowd came to see the spectacular, that is, to see Lazarus, the man rumored to have been raised from the dead. They were anxious to see one who had experienced such a phenomenal event and to see if a resurrected man was any different.
And the crowd came to a social occasion, a festive atmosphere. They came to the banquet. Wherever Jesus was there was action and things were happening. It was where everyone was gathering. They wanted to join the party.
Isn’t that why some people come to church today, to see the show and join the party? They don’t come to worship the King, but they come to see who’s singing. They come because their friends are there. They come to socialize. They come, maybe, to see if they, like Lazarus, can get in on the good stuff. And look out if there’s food. Don’t get in the way or you might get knocked down if there’s a meal. They’re there to get what they can, not to worship the King. They’re there to see the miracles, not to see the King.
You know, I think, sadly, that’s why some churches are becoming megachurches. They’re drawing the crowds, yes. Lot’s of people are attending. But people are coming because of the great concerts that are available. They’re there because of the orchestra. They come for the sing-along. They come for the show. They come so they can say they go to that big church that always has its name in the paper because of some event that’s taking place. They come because they are easily influenced. They come for the events and the exciting atmosphere. And if that’s missing, or if there’s something they don’t like, they don’t show up.
How many sitting in the presence of the Lord and His church today are only half-sincere? How many come to church just because it is the thing to do, the place to be, the place where everyone else is? How many seek the spectacular signs only?
That’s the attitude of some. What will you do for me Jesus? What will you give me?
How many want the miracles, but miss the Master. There were probably some of those in the crowd that day.
And then there was another group of people there that day. The religious leaders were there.
Wherever the power was, that was where you’d find these Pharisees. Wherever the prestige was, you could be sure they would be there. They wanted the praise. They wanted the glory. They wanted to be looked up to and they wanted to be the ones who had all the influence. They were fine as long as they were the center of attention, but look out if someone else received the praise.
People were beginning to come to Jesus and follow Him. And the Pharisees knew that this meant their powerful political positions were in jeopardy.
How tragic it is that religious positions sometimes become political.
How tragic it is that men reject Christ for the things of this world.
How tragic it is that men swap eternity for social and political gain.
These preachers and teachers, these church leaders, were only interested in themselves. They were only interested in the prestige of their positions. And they were going to oppose anyone and anything that threatened their power.
God isn’t pleased with that kind of leadership.
There are many in the church today who want the visible positions. They want the power. They want to be the movers and shakers. And to gain a following, they’ll say anything that is popular and that makes them popular. They’ll preach the prosperity gospel. Come to Jesus and all your cares and troubles will be over. Come to Jesus and he’ll give you all that you want.
They’ll say anything to gain a following. They’ll preach what the crowd wants to hear, not what the Bible says. Rather than pointing men and women to Jesus, they point to themselves. They want people to follow them, and not God. They want to say they were the ones who produced the big churches. They were responsible for the big crowds. They point to themselves, not to Jesus.
Yes, there were some of these bad shepherds in the crowd that day. And they even went so far as to plot to do away with Jesus.
These were the people in the crowd that day.
•The ones who were amused and laughed at Jesus.
•The ones who wanted to join the party and get what was in it for themselves.
•And there were the ones who wanted the power and the prestige.
Oh yes. I almost forgot one. You see, there was one more group there that day.
“We would like to see Jesus.”
Oh that we would all say that. Oh that we would all come into His presence to glorify and honor Him. Oh what a difference it would make in our lives if we would say, “We would like to see Jesus.”
For when we see Jesus and worship His Holy Name, God is glorified. When we recognize that this Jesus represents the love that God has for us, a love that would send Him to the cross to die for us, we can be changed. When we come to the realization that God gave His only Son to die for you and for me that we might not perish but have everlasting life, it changes our perspective. When we see and believe this glorious truth; then we really begin to worship Him. We begin to bow down and surrender our whole beings to God. We begin to follow and obey His will, to honor and praise Him for all He has done and is doing for us. Yes, when we really seek Jesus, that’s when the name of God is glorified. That’s when real worship occurs.
Those people in the crowd that day were shouting something that was far more significant than they realized.
Hosanna, they shouted. Hosanna.
This Hebrew word means “he who saves.” They were welcoming their King.
But this was not a king that would reign over Israel. No, this King was far more important, far more powerful than any king on earth.
For although they didn’t realize it, they were honoring the King of heaven. They were honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords. They were honoring the King that would triumph over death. They were singing praises to the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world with his body and blood which was shed on the cross.
Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing today?
Now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.