March 29, 2018 - A FORETASTE OF THE FEAST TO COME

Day 88 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 24:3–11; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians. 10:16–17; Mark 14:12–26)

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:12-25 ESV)

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord’s Supper. What a blessing this gift is to God’s people! 

A perfect prayer for those receiving these precious gifts is this: “Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good.” (LSB 618)

In, with and under the simple elements of bread and wine, our Lord feeds us His actual body and blood, granting us forgiveness, strengthening our faith, and assuring us that He is with us. 

“Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life... Grace our table with Your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come. Amen.” (LSB 955)

“See” you at the Communion table this Maundy Thursday.

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!