This is the fourth Sunday in the row that we’ve been talking about Jesus as the bread of life. The 6^th Chapter of the Gospel of John deals with this theme. It begins with Jesus feeding the 5000 and then it continues with the reaction of the people who were fed wanting to proclaim Jesus as their king. Then we hear Jesus’ response where he brings the attention from the bread that perishes to the true bread of life, which is Christ himself.

Jesus says: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” As Jesus was saying these words the reaction was pretty obvious. The Jews disputed among themselves saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Well that is a pretty good question.

How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Well it was in that night, remember, in which our Lord Jesus was betrayed that he took the bread, broke it and gave it to disciples saying: Take and eat this is my body, which is given for you; do this… meaning eat this body in remembrance of me. And in today’s text we hear Jesus words: “Very truly I tell you unless you eat the flesh of the son of Man and drink his blood; you have no life in you.”

By now I believe we all know that we’re talking about Holy Communion. Just want to make sure that we’re on the same page. Now I’m very tempted to ask how many of you were born and raised Lutherans? Don’t raise your hand. The reason I’m mentioning it is that different denominations interpret the Holy Communion or Jesus’ Last Supper in different ways. I would like to touch briefly on how we Lutherans see and understand Holy Communion and what it means for our faith lives.

See Holy Communion is a very important part of our worship life, but as well it is a crucial part of our everyday faith lives. It is one of our two sacraments. And sacraments are very important to our faith lives because they were directly commanded to us by Jesus Christ, they are a means of God’s grace, and are connected with the earthly elements of bread and wine for Communion, and water for Baptism and thus they are a visible part of our faith lives.

Now why is Communion so important to us? What are the benefits that we receive in it? Well I don’t think anyone could answer this question better than Martin Luther himself. Luther in his Small Catechism says: The benefits of Holy Communion are pointed out by the words, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

These words assure us that in the sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. Salvation in other words means eternal life. See Luther was a pretty smart guy, he got it, for in today’s Gospel reading we hear Jesus say: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.”

This is a promise of God’s grace, given to us in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we Lutherans are so crazy about Holy Communion. It’s not just a church ritual that we perform each Sunday it’s the perfect communion and unity with our Lord Jesus Christ, it is eternal life for us. But once again, someone not born and raised Lutheran might ask, “How can eating and drinking do all this?” You know who asked that very same question? Martin Luther did and yes he did answer it for us as well.

Again in Small Catechism we read: It is not eating and drinking that does this, but the words, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. These words along with eating and drinking, are the main thing in the sacrament of Holy Communion. And whoever believes these words has exactly what they say, forgiveness of sins.

And it truly is through the forgiveness of our sins that we’re invited to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accepted and forgiven made one with our Lord, with our brothers and sisters in faith. Jesus says: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” Is it comforting to know that as I kneel down at this railing, in the presence of my church family, Jesus abides in me? (pause) Jesus says to us, come to the banquet, come to feast, just the way you are, no matter what’s on your heart or mind, whatever it is that’s burdening you, it’s time to give it up and let me make you clean, let me abide in you.

The invitation is opened to everyone. All you have to do it to trust and believe that Christ is present, in his body and his blood. That he’s there as we kneel down like beggars, putting out our empty hands to him, opening up our broken hearts to him, giving up our hurting souls to him with a simple prayer: Lord forgive me and abide in me.

And maybe you’re thinking: I’m not worthy to receive such grace. I’m not ready to receive his forgiveness. I haven’t done enough. Well knowing that these are the questions that arise in our human minds striving for forgiveness while feeling guilty and unworthy Luther himself asked this question: When is a person rightly prepared to receive Communion? And this is the answer he gave: Fasting and other outward preparations serve a good purpose. (pause) However, Luther continues, that person is well prepared and worthy who believes these words, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

Simple as that. You know that saying: What you see is what you get. Well with Communion it would be: What you believe is what you get. For the last thing Luther mentions in his Small Catechism about Communion is: That anyone who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is neither prepared nor worthy, for the words for you require simply a believing heart. (pause) And if you think about it, in Romans 3 Paul emphasizes that we’re saved by God’s grace, through faith. Holy Communion only underlines this statement.

And so what do we make out of all of this? Well as we gather to Lord’s Table to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, may we remember that our Lord Jesus is present, that he’s here to touch our lives and change our hearts with his love and forgiveness. May we remember that we don’t have to feel scared or unworthy but instead in faith and trust we’re to receive the gift of life that strengthens our bodies and souls and that gives us a new life, life eternal.

Amen