This weekend we take a break from the season of the church year to reflect on the rich instruction that we find on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper in one of our Communion hymns.

The doctrine of the Lord's Supper is a very important and serious doctrine. The proper understanding and use of it has great implications in a Christian's life. Paul says:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 305 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness." This hymn was written by a Lutheran laymen in the 1600's, who studied law, but also was concerned about the study of Christian doctrine and used his gifts to write many hymns reflecting on those Christian doctrines.

In this hymn he reflects on the joy that is ours in being able to receive the Lord's Supper. He reminds us what it is that we are receiving here: A precious treasure from God that cannot be purchased with any thing on this earth. Only His blood could win it, and He offers it to us by His grace.

He also correctly teaches the doctrine of Christ's real presence, that Jesus tells us that we receive His very body and blood, with the bread and the wine of the Lord's Supper. The elements of bread and wine do not merely symbolize His body and blood, Jesus says: "This IS my body... this is my blood of the new covenant" (Matthew 26:26-28).

While our reason cannot comprehend this truth, it does not change Jesus' clear words and Paul's warning.

May the LORD lead us to a deep yearning and hunger for this Sacrament because of the promises of Jesus to sinners such as us. We should take our preparation for the Lord's Supper seriously, we should treat it with the respect that it is due, but we should also receive it with absolute joy and with the confidence that forgiveness, life and salvation are mine in and through it!

LORD, bless our mediation on Your promises and gifts in this sacrament and receive them eagerly, often, and with great joy!