Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior

Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior

LSB #627

v. 8: “For what purpose was My dying
If not for your justifying?
And what use this precious food
If you yourself were pure and good?”

v. 10: Let this food your faith so nourish
That its fruit of love may flourish
And your neighbor learn from you
How much God’s wondrous love can do.

There is a question in the Small Catchism regarding the Lord’s Supper that asks: Who receives this Sacrament worthily? Some people think they must be worthy (or in the hymn, “pure and good”) to come and receive the Lord’s Body and Blood. But no! The Body and Blood of Jesus are here for sinners. For really bad sinners. For condemned and damnable sinners. For you and me. There is no way we could ever make ourselves worthy of such a gift. That’s what makes it such a wondrous gift! To us who only deserve damnation our Lord gives the Body and Blood of His Son for the forgiveness of our sins. What makes us worthy to receive this gift is simply repentance and faith - to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of forgiveness, and faith in the Word and promises of God that in this gift is the very forgiveness we need. That’s why Jesus came and died on the cross, and that’s why He comes and gives Himself to us in the Supper. And then as we receive such a wondrous gift, we pray that it work in us all that is pleasing in God’s sight, that we begin to live as His children, and that others may “learn from us how much God’s wondrous love can do.” Even for a sinner like me!