Apr. 17, 2025 – American Falls, Idaho

John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Cor. 11:23-26

The name of our worship service, Maundy, comes from the commandment or mandate Jesus’ gives his disciples, “to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” The world needs that love so much, always but maybe especially right now. Jesus has just demonstrated the love through the act of foot washing. 

Foot washing was the focus of Maundy Thursday worship services at Trinity Lutheran in Nampa, the congregation I served before becoming bishop. But in my first call in Solider, Iowa, Holy Communion was central because this was the night the fifth graders celebrated their first Communion. My theology around the Lord’s Supper became robust on the prairie of Western Iowa.

It was Thursday evening. The next day Jesus would die. He knew it and he told his disciples. They were at supper together, a farewell meal. As they were seated around the table, he took bread and wine and told them that this was his body and blood and that they should eat and drink.  He told them that after he was gone, they should continue to observe this supper, for forgiveness of sins and in remembrance of him. 

One time at Trinity, during the pandemic, I led a group of 7^th and 8^th grade confirmation students online through a discussion of the Last Supper as recorded in Mark’s gospel. The conversation lagged until I called on one student who usually contributes. “What strikes you in this story?” I asked. The student replied, “The story begins with Jesus saying someone will betray him and it ends with him saying Peter will deny him. Right in the middle of those two things, Jesus breaks the bread and shares the cup.” I was speechless with admiration for this young theologian. Yes, in the middle of betrayal and denial, Jesus shares this love feast with its gifts of forgiveness and mercy.

Ever since that night, the followers of Jesus the world over have observed or celebrated the Lord’s Supper as their most solemn act of worship. The Holy Spirit has used this simple meal to give the church some of the most profound and rich truths and gifts of God.

When we come to the Lord’s Supper, we come to remember him. We recall who Jesus is and what he has done, what he continues to do and what he yet will do. He is not visibly with us as he was with the disciples that evening. As we remember him, we dwell on his life, from his birth in Bethlehem to his ascension. Remember especially the cross, where his body was broken, and his blood was shed for you. When the bread is placed in your hands, when you receive the wine, you will hear those same amazing words, “For you!”

Whether we see him or not, our risen and ascended Lord is here in a living presence. He is with us, singularly in bread and wine, his body and blood. We not only have a memorial; we have a presence. And in the bread and wine he gives himself. This is the good news of the gospel in visible form.

And so, it is called a communion. Receiving life with him and in him, we are in fellowship with him, and through him in fellowship with each other. We are reconciled to God and to each other. We are the restored family of God.

Whenever and however we receive him, we come in repentance and faith. We come to receive the forgiveness of sins. We come in penitence, in sorrow for the sins that grieve him. And we come in glad confidence that he forgives us, as he has promised to do.

It is a sacrament of thanksgiving, called the Eucharist, the Greek word for thanksgiving.  When a Christian stands before the throne of God, when all sins are forgiven, all joy restored, then there is nothing left to do but to give thanks. Thanksgiving is our only full and real response to God’s creation, redemption, and the gift of heaven. All the motifs of the faith, like melodies in a great symphony, are brought together in the sacrament—repentance, faith, forgiveness, joy, love, hope, and thanksgiving.  

Pastor Al Rogness wrote, “The Lord’s Supper is God’s gift to us to strengthen our faith. The Christian who realizes this will want to receive this gift often, probably as often as it is offered…. No matter how often, communicants should prepare their hearts by careful self-examination and by prayer.  The Scriptures warn against coming casually as a matter of form without repentance and without faith in the Lord’s promise of forgiveness.”  Rogness lays out the balance that must be struck—receiving the gift of Communion as often as it is offered and receiving it with a prepared heart.  

Indeed, the Lord’s Supper is a gift we continue to learn about throughout our lives. We are never finished being reminded of the gift of the Lord’s Supper. In the midst of all the turmoil of the world right now, I come to this meal tonight with a renewed appreciation for the gifts of forgiveness and abundant life. I come exceedingly grateful to share it with each of you. I come with awe and wonder. Even though I believe Jesus’ promises are sure, I trust that the gifts are guaranteed, and I believe Jesus’ presence is real, I can never explain exactly how it all happens. In the end, I am comfortable not needing to explain or fully understand. There is just enough mystery in the Lord’s Supper to leave me bewildered by the mystery of it all. It is a mystery I love sharing with others. Amen.