March 2, 2018 - GIVEN AND SHED FOR YOU

Day 61 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 43; Psalm 57; Matthew 26:17–35)

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  (Matthew 26:26-28 ESV)

What a precious gift the Lord instituted on the night when He was betrayed! Maundy Thursday is a blessed stop on our Lenten journey, for in, with and under simple bread and wine, the Lord feeds us sinners His very body and blood. 

In my years of service as a pastor, I have observed how deeply God’s people are moved with the forgiveness and the strengthening of their faith that the Lord bestows in this meal.

♬ O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!
(O Lord, We Praise Thee, The Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #617)

Lord, may Your body and Your blood be for my soul the highest good. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion table!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!