Maundy Thursday

What is the Sacrament of the Altar? No symbol. Though many are deceived, and say that it is a symbol, or that it represents Christ’s body and blood; that it couldn’t be his real body and blood. But they are mistaken; not only does his clear word say otherwise, but this is a failure to understand the entire scriptures. For the symbols are past and gone; that is, the types and foretellings. The Passover Lamb, the blood on the doorposts, the passing over of the angel, the flight, the exodus. These are the symbols. These signified a greater Passover to come, greater blood, a greater exodus.
The symbol is in the object lesson, not in the reality of the Supper. For Jesus’ words make it clear. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. Those who insist that this Sacrament is a symbol are stuck in the Old Testament; they do not see that the true meaning of it all is here. This is my body, my blood. See, I am the Lamb, the true blood is mine, it marks the door of our mouths, as the psalmist also says. The flight is Baptism, the exodus is Christ and his march through death to resurrection, and we follow. We follow by partaking now in the reality. Take, eat. Take, drink.
So now we partake in Christ himself. This is the very Body of the Lamb of God which was crucified; this is the very Blood he shed. And what is it for? For the forgiveness of sins. For it is impossible that goats and sheep should take away sins. But Christ the Lamb of God takes all our sins away. And we follow him to the true Promised Land. For here and now we enter with him. I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until I drink it new with you in the kingdom of God. So now we enter the kingdom. This is the new drinking. This is the Feast. This is the entrance to life and salvation, and resurrection from the dead. Sermon for Maundy Thursday.