Maundy Thursday 2016

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Exodus 13:12
Theme: “The Blood Will Be A Sign”

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

The entire witness of Holy Scripture could be understood to be the last will and testament Jesus. Yet, it was necessary on this night of betrayal for the Lord to bless His disciples (and through them the church throughout the ages) with a particular sacred treasure. It was more than just a way to remember His sacrifice. It was a means to participate in His life. “Take, eat; this is my body…drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant.”1
Holy Communion- a sacrament for sinners- extends to believers the fruits of His crucifixion and the power of His resurrection.

How many lambs were needed to provide the blood to mark the doorframes of Israelite homes so that the avenging angel would pass over? How many beasts were slaughtered across the centuries to provide the blood for the altar of atonement! And now here we have the one, sufficient sacrifice; the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.2 “The blood of Jesus…purifies us from all sin.”3 He is present for us in the breaking of this bread.

The Spirit offers us treasure beyond calculation. If you’re trying to market gold there is little need to extol its qualities; they are self-evident. Only the purity and price are points of contention. If you’re trying to sell automobiles however, you have a different challenge on your hands. Quality and reliability differ greatly. You might not get what you think you’ve paid for. Buyer beware!

The Lord’s Supper is like pure gold. Properly administered Holy Communion NEVER varies in its quality or effectiveness because the word of God is never subject to corruption. It is vital and powerful every time it is spoken. The Holy Spirit does not age or become frail. The enthroned Lord Jesus does not suffer loss of strength. We are dealing with realities here that have divine potency. We always get what He has paid for.

If I must coerce the poor, hungry man to partake of a free and healthy meal before he is willing to eat the game is already lost. I will not stimulate his appetite by putting more of the same in front of him and pressing him further. Either he’s not really hungry, or he’s deceived, or he’s too proud. His appetite is governed by His motive. Peter was initially too proud to have his feet washed by Jesus. His motive was wrong. If I must convince the bride-to-be to show up for her own wedding I won’t be successful by chiding her about the loveable qualities of the groom. Her apprehension must be alleviated by genuine trust that her groom will be faithful to her.

To be clear, we do need prodding in our life of Christian obedience, but faith is never a consequence of coercion. Discipline is necessary for good habits and the old sinful nature always needs rebuke and correction. But the correct motive belongs to faith alone. The person with godly motive needs encouragement, strength and support for their faith. But they don’t need a dressing down. Vulnerable faith can be destroyed in this way. Of Jesus the Bible says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.”4 In other words, for faith, the benefit is “self-evident.” The motive proceeds accordingly. Faith advances in this certainty. God is faithful in Christ. He is true to His word.

Luther was keen to remind us of the challenge we face and the benefits of this gift. “The devil is a furious enemy; when he sees that we resist him and attack the old man, and when he cannot rout us by force, he sneaks and skulks about everywhere, trying all kinds of tricks, and does not stop until he has finally worn us out so that we either renounce our faith or yield hand and foot and become indifferent or impatient. For such times, when our heart feels too sorely pressed, this comfort of the Lord’s Supper is given to bring us new strength and refreshment.”5

Oh how much could be said about indifference or impatience! They are often clear indicators of impenitence. Large portions of the church today are a veritable society of indifference. And on this sacred occasion, we too, are called on to repent of our apathy. Yet, the zeal of the Saviour cannot be quenched. Satan can’t wear Him out. Luther says again, “Here in the sacrament you receive from Christ’s lips the forgiveness of sins, which contains and conveys God’s grace and the Spirit with all His gifts, protections, defence, and power against death and the devil and all evils.”6

The blood is a sign. But not in the way we often conjecture about signs today; seeking phenomena that seem to verify our conjecture. It is the emblem of God’s sacrificial love. But it is more than a reminder of Jesus’ sacrificial death. It is more than a spiritual symbol to focus your faith. It is the very means the Almighty God uses to bring you into contact with His Son. Through it you enter into the holy of holies. Because of it the angel of death passes you by.7

The disciples left the Upper Room knowing the critical hour was at hand. Yet, not until after the resurrection and ascension would they understand what it all meant. Jesus washed their feet but what was important was the cleansing of the soul. Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”8 We have been washed by Him in baptism and through this meal we share in His life. No one’s part in Him is greater or lesser than that of another. There is absolute parity when it comes to the value of this treasure. None claims priority over the other.

You may have fame and fortune, recognition and accomplishment heaped on you during your life. You may be blessed with good health, a stable family, and a great career. You may receive a generous inheritance. These are all gifts from the hand and heart of the Almighty. Yet none of these compares with the only antidote for mortality.

Conversely, your life might be marked by a long history of tragedy, failure, and victimhood. Perhaps you have struggled to really find your place and purpose in life. Maybe you’ve perpetrated more than your fair share of ungodliness? Most peoples’ lives are a blend of prosperity and adversity. We are saints and sinners. Even a person who has endured disastrous circumstances is a beneficiary of God’s kindness. He is too magnanimous to withhold it. But He is also too wise to withhold adversity from us, knowing that if we don’t endure it we’re prone to unreasonable expectations and unrighteousness.

Dear friends, the bleeding Jesus is the same Lord who still has blood coursing through His veins. Holy Communion is always a preview of the heavenly banquet. Our host at this table also desires to host us at the celestial celebration. The Scripture says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”9 You are invited, come! Amen.

+ In nomine Jesu +

Maundy Thursday
24 March, 2016
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 Matthew 26:26, 28
2 See John 1:29
3 1 John 1:7
4 Matthew 12:20
5 Large Catechism
6Large Catechism
7 See Exodus 12:13
8 John 13:8
9 Revelation 19:9