Feb. 23, 2026

Do this in Remembrance of Me… (1 Cor. 11:24)

Having said that this meal is more than a remembrance meal, it is only fair that we recognize that it is, in part, remembrance meal.  It is just that this is not all that it is.

The power of this Sacrament lies in the cross of Christ itself.  More specifically, the power of forgiveness, life, and salvation that this Sacrament gives is completely rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we receive Christ’s Body and Blood on the cross may we always remember what our salvation cost Him.  The suffering, pain, and ultimately His death were all for us.

Different reactions to this Sacrament are possible and meet, right, and salutary.  But in remembrance these reactions come together.  Awe at what He has done for us.  Reverence for His sacrifice.  Joy at the gifts we receive because of it.

Let us always remember, and never forget, the all availing sacrifice of Our Lord for our salvation.

Dearest Lord, help us to always remember Your sacrifice, Your pain, Your suffering, Your death all given willingly for our good.  Thank You for all You have given us.  In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.

Feb. 24, 2026

Do this as often as you drink of it… (1 Cor. 11:25)

Found only in Paul’s account of the words of institution is this phrase, “…as often as you drink of it.”  The notes in the Lutheran Study Bible remind us that Jesus does not prescribe a frequency for performing this Sacrament.  But it is clear from just the use of the word “often” that it should be done “often.”

The next verse sheds some light on this.  “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  I heard a comment once that every time we pull out of the driveway on Sunday and head to Church that we are witnessing to our neighbors the importance of going to Church.  In like manner every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we proclaim the Lord’s Death and His impending return.

There seems to be no better reason than this to participate in this Sacrament “often.”  The more we proclaim Jesus and His Work, the better.  As a friend of mine says, “More Jesus, please!”

Most precious Savior, help us to see the importance of proclaiming Your work to others by participating in Your holy meal.  In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.

 Feb. 25, 2026

“…they shall call His Name Emmanuel,” (which means God with us.) (Matthew 1:23)

Names have meaning.  Names imply purpose.  The Name Emannuel means God with us.  Jesus means God saves.

It is important to realize there are multiple names for the Sacrament that we call the Sacrament of the Altar.  Each of them has meaning.  As Sacrament of the Altar, we are reminded that Jesus was sacrificed for us upon the altar of the cross.

Each of the other names of the Sacrament also have meaning: the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Table, Communion, the Breaking of Bread, Eucharist, and Pascal Feast are all alternate names for the Sacrament.

Over the next few days, we will examine each of these prayerfully and consider several different aspects of the Sacrament.  Celebrating its complexity and appreciating that it can mean different things to us at different times in our lives.

Most precious Lord, help us to see the entire spectrum of meaning that lies in Your Sacrament so that we may draw ever closer to You and each other in true faith. – Amen.

Feb. 26, 2026

When you do come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat, (1 Cor 11:20)

The Lord’s Supper, often with a capital “S,” is a common name for the Sacrament of the Altar.  It is often confused with the term, the Last Supper which refers only to the supper Jesus had with His disciples 2000+ years ago.  The Lord’s Supper, however, refers to any participation in the Sacrament.

This understanding of the Sacrament is probably the most universal as it brings us to a subject we have already discussed, the Supper as remembrance.  The name “Lord’s Supper” is similar to the name “Last Supper” because it is supposed to bring that Last Supper to mind.  It is also to remind us of all that happened in the next three days – Jesus dying for our sins on the cross, His time in the tomb, and His resurrection on Easter morning.

As we take the Lord’s Supper we should listen carefully to the Words of Institution and remember what Jesus said and what He did and consider all that this means for us and our salvation.

Dearest Lord, we can never thank You enough for all You have done for us in Your death and resurrection.  Help us to always remember all that you have done for us.  In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen

Feb. 27, 2026

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, (Is. 25:6)

Although the name the Lord’s Table only appears in Malachai in the ESV (and in another sense) the concept of the Sacrament as a foretaste of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb on the Last day is a common theme.  Where the name Lord’s Supper makes us look back, The Lord’s Table helps us look forward to the second coming of Christ.

There are any number of both OT and NT readings that support this understanding including the text from Isaiah 25:6-8, 1 Cor. 11:25-26, and Matthew 26:29.

During the Service of the Sacrament, we are reminded that we are worshipping, and by extension dining, with “angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.”

Here heaven invades earth in a real sense.  Jesus comes to us from heaven once again and angels join in our celebration.  Loved ones, who have gone to their rest, are once again at the rail with us.

Holy Spirit, help us to feel the presence of the Church Triumphant, the company of heaven, along with the Universal Church Militant on earth as we dine at the rail.  In Jesus’ Name we pray. – Amen.

Feb. 28, 2026

“Therefore, with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven…” (LSB DS3 Common Proper Preface)

Although this is not a biblical reference, many biblical references refer to the term in Koine Greek of koinonia.  This word means “communion” or “participation with/in.”  So, it is easy to see how the term Communion became a common name and understanding for the Sacrament of the Altar.

This understanding reminds us that we are not alone in our faith.  We stand together with the Universal Church of all believers – alive/sainted, human/angel, Lutheran/other denominations.  We may not all have the same beliefs, but it is a recognition that, even if we can’t commune at the rail with them, we will see all who, “…confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,..” (Rom. 10:9) in heaven.

In Communion we recognize the Body of Christ here on earth.  That we are all one Body.  A body with many different parts.

Dearest Jesus, help us, Your holy Church, to come together in the unity of faith and a right understanding of Your Word as we know You would have us do that we may all some day dine together at Your table. – Amen