Sermons and Papers

ITS BENEFIT AS THE "MEDICINE OF IMMORTALITY" by Rev. David Schoessow What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? That is shown us by these words, "Given and shed for you for the remission of sins," namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation (SC VI).

Among Lutherans there is no debate that the first and primary benefit of the Lord's Supper is the reception of the Lord's body and blood by the Christian for the forgiveness of sins. "This is plainly evident from the Lord's words: 'This is my body and blood, given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins'" (LC V, 21).

The forgiveness of sins for Luther was not merely the undoing or taking away of something negative. "Forgiveness" encapsulates the whole treasure of benefits which Christ won for us, "for where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation" (SC VI). Thus the Sacrament of the Altar is nothing less than the Gospel itself, in all its richness, as Luther teaches, "Now the whole Gospel and the article of the Creed, 'I believe in the holy Christian church, the forgiveness of sins,' are embodied in the Sacrament and offered to us through the Word" (LC V, 32).

"Well if this is true," the devout Christian might ask Luther, "if the Sacrament offers me nothing more or less than what I can find in my baptism or by reading my Bible or hearing the absolution, then why is the Sacrament necessary? Is God merely offering me a visual aid to preaching?"

As he listens to this dialogue, the Lutheran pastor might wonder whether Augustine's definition of the Sacrament as a visible word (verbum visible) has altogether obliterated the uniqueness of the Sacrament.1 Indeed if the forgiveness of sins is received by the believer even outside the Sacrament, simply by trusting in the promise of the Gospel, then what is the unique gift of the Sacrament? "What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?"

Were Luther to hear these questions, his thoughts could not help but return to his debate with Zwingli, who asked of what possible use could be the eating of the Lord's body and blood. John 6:63 decided the question for Zwingli: "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing." For Zwingli the teaching that the eating of the Lord's body and blood benefits the Christian was a violation of the spiritual character of the Christian faith and a return to pagan materialism. This challenge forced Luther to examine the nature of the Sacrament and its benefits.

Luther's answer to the question, "What is the use of such eating?" was straightforward. It is enough that Christ our Lord has commanded me to so eat and drink. Like Baptism, this Sacrament finds its value in Christ's institution, word and command. For "what God institutes and commands cannot be useless. It is a most precious thing, even though to all appearances it may not be worth a straw" (LC IV, 8).

Yet the Sacrament's unique benefits do not remain hidden behind the inscrutable will and command of God. Its fruits are evident now and always have been. In the Scriptures the Confessors saw at least four unique gifts offered in the Sacrament. These include the Supper as a seal and comfort through the personal application of God's promise to the individual,2 as a "daily food and sustenance" of our faith,3 as a "bond and union of Christians with Christ their head and with one another,"4 and as a "medicine for immortality, antidote against death."5

It is this last benefit of the Sacrament which is the focus of this study. It is no surprise that Zwingli, Calvin and the Reformed churches reject the idea that bodily eating and drinking can bring God's grace and blessing to soul and body. What is surprising is that so many modern Lutherans are unaware of it or reject it (notable exceptions include Sommerlath, Elert, Schlink and Sasse),6 since by its inclusion in the Large Catechism and the Formula of Concord7 it is a doctrine of the Lutheran church.8

Understanding the Sacrament as a "medicine for immortality" or pharmakon athanasias offers us a number of deep insights into the gifts which Christ gives to His church, insights which will effect our teaching and preaching, our pastoral care of the sick and dying, our personal and ecclesiastical use of the Sacrament and our faith in the person of the Word Incarnate.

Read more from the original source:
Sermons and Papers