Lord’s Supper
What Does This Mean?
“What does this mean?” is a question Dr. Luther used throughout his Small Catechism. Luther’s answers are simple, yet profound; Scriptural; and instructive, yet devotional—that is, we learn what God says and apply it to our faith and life.
It is especially important that we are instructed about the Lord’s Supper, so that we may apply this teaching to what we believe Jesus instituted and gives us, and so that we may use this Means of Grace to grow in faith and increase in our Christian life of love for Jesus.
“This is My body…This is My blood.”
What does this mean? Jesus’ words are clear. In the Lord’s Supper, along with the bread and wine, we receive Christ’s true body and blood. We are to believe that Jesus gives us His crucified and risen body and blood in the Sacrament and that it is truly present as the words declare. We are not to spiritualize these words, or make them symbols only, or deny them. No one can say how Jesus does this, but since He is God Jesus can do anything that He promises. While we do not chew Christ’s flesh, we really receive His body and blood.
“For the remission of sins.” What does this mean? These words describe the blessings we receive in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus declared, “This cup is the new testaent in My blood, which was shed for you for the remission of sins” (Matthew ). These words teach us that the blood Jesus gives is what was shed to pay the ransom price for all sins. By receiving Christ’s blood, we also receive what He earned for us—as Luther wrote: “Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.” The Lord’s Supper is both a gift of God’s forgiveness and God’s assurance of your forgiveness.
“This do.” What does this mean? This command of Jesus authorizes the Christian Church to administer the Lord’s Supper according to His Word. The Christian pastor is to consecrate the elements using the Words of Institution and distribute the bread/Christ’s body and the wine/Christ’s blood to the people, and the communicants are to receive it. “This do,” also requires that we use the elements Jesus used—unleavened bread and wine. It does not mean that we must recreate the scene in the Upper Room or have a Seder meal in order to make the sacrament valid. Only Jesus’ word can do this.
“This do in remembrance of Me.” What does this mean? The Lord’s Supper is not a “remembrance meal” like an anniversary. In the Lord’s Supper, we remember and confess what Jesus did on the cross to shed His blood in death to earn remission of sins for all people. This Supper directs our attention to all that Jesus did to save sinners, in order that we believe on Jesus as the Redeemer of the world. As we remember His suffering and death, we also receive the forgiveness and salvation Jesus won for us along with His body and blood united with the bread and wine.
“As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup.” What does this mean? Unlike Baptism, which is to happen only once in our lives, the Lord’s Supper is given for God’s children to partake of often. Since we daily sin much, we need God’s assurance of forgiveness. Since we face many difficulties in life, we need to know of God’s love in Jesus to have the strength to deal with trials and afflictions. Since we deal with temptations, we need strength to fight against them and true love for Jesus to live holy lives according to His will.