Maundy Thursday 2018

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

Text: Matthew 26:28
Theme: For the Forgiveness of Sins

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

Not all meals are equal. Some are more significant because of the occasion. Fast food eaten on the go hardly compares with a wedding banquet. Some have more nourishing food than others. A meal packed with nutrients and substance will offer a different benefit than one containing hollow calories. The Lord’s Supper is a meal without comparison. It is a celebration of the Bridegroom’s love for His Bride, the church. He is both the host of the meal and its content. Received in faith, it promises both physical and spiritual blessings.

The Lord’s Supper is instituted in the context of the Passover. The Passover celebrated God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Christ was about to accomplish a new and greater deliverance. It was not the Red Sea or the Jordan River that would be crossed, but the threshold of heaven. It was not human oppression that would be overthrown, but Satan’s kingdom of darkness. Christ, the high priest would enter into the holy of holies according to the Scripture, “When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) - he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”1

So, gathered with His disciples in the Upper Room, He washed their feet, teaching them humility and servanthood. He dealt with the betrayal of Judas and the reluctance of Peter. Then, He transformed the meal of the Passover into the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Scripture says, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”2 In the intimate company of the Twelve, He gifted the church with this means of grace.

Dear friends, it’s important to recognise what we are dealing with here. The presence and power of Christ alone determine the validity of this sacrament. Neither our belief, nor our ignorance, nor our scepticism, nor our approval make God’s treasures what they are. Our misuse of God’s means of grace-the word, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper- does not drain them of their power. Rejecting God’s gifts in unbelief only means we are condemned rather than forgiven, convicted rather than absolved. We should always be fearful, therefore, of making light of God’s truth. The Scripture says, “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.”3 Rain can refresh a thirsty crop, but too much can drown it. It is still rain. Fire can warm the cold house or burn it down. It is the same fire. God’s holy presence means judgement for the unrepentant sinner, but mercy for the penitent soul. The same medicine can give life to the dying person or bring death to the living person.

Yet, we can have the greatest confidence in knowing that God will richly bless all who humbly seek His grace. The Father never turns away a child with a penitent heart. The Jesus who hosts us at the Lord’s Table is the same one who endured the gauntlet of suffering and death. God’s word says, “In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”4 And again the Scripture says of Christ, “…and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”5 There is no other means of access into the presence of the Father. But another means is not needed. The risen Lord has swung the gates of heaven wide open. The cherubim guarding the way back into the Garden of Eden have been relieved of their duty. The flaming sword has been sheathed6. In Christ, salvation is secure. He has risen. He is living. His blood makes it certain.

The thief on the cross was saved by it. The apostle and the peasant, the prince and the pauper, the politician, the drug addict, the petty criminal and the honoured citizen, the man of ill repute and the woman of stellar reputation, the courageous one and the coward, the rebel and the devotee, high and low, rich and poor, all, no exceptions, no exclusions, are cleansed by this blood. That includes you. It includes me. And all who are not remain unclean. That’s why the mission of the gospel is always critical. The terminally ill can’t heal themselves. Sinners cannot cleanse their own souls. That’s why the saints in heaven are described as the ones “who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”7

Now, what a marvellous, mysterious, miracle it is that this blood is gifted to believers in the simple but sacred meal of the Supper. The blood of the sacrifice is now the blood of the sacrament. The atonement has been made and no more blood need be spilled. But it is now the church’s treasure in perpetuity until Christ returns and escorts us to the heavenly banquet. It is pure, undeserved gift. It is grace supremely bestowed. Here, in this modest meal, the profundity of God’s love is present. It’s no wonder the apostle exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"8

When Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room, the crucifixion was only hours away. The disciples were still mired in the complexity of confusion. Jesus, however, understood exactly what He faced. Excruciating suffering awaited Him. His body would be pushed passed its limits. But it was even more harrowing for His soul. The dark loneliness of death would consume Him. He went forth into the darkness without flinching; the Holy One as the substitute for sinners. Tonight, we celebrate the fruits of His passion. He is the true Vine9. Our celebration isn’t a mere remembrance. It is a participation in the spoils of His conquering love. This sacred blood is given for you. This blood of the cross is the life-giving blood of the living God. It is vital food unmatched by any other blessing that sustains us. It is the medicine of immortality. Take and eat. Take and drink. Amen.

+ In nomine Jesu +

Maundy Thursday
29 March 2018
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt


1 Hebrews 9:11-12 2 Matthew 26:26-28
3 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 4 Ephesians 1:7
5 Colossians 1:20 6 See Genesis 3:24
7 Revelation 7:14 8 Romans 11:33-35
9 See John 15:1