What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. (The Small Catechism, The Sacrament of the Altar)

Do you jump out of bed on Sunday morning because there's another chance to eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus? Or is the Sacrament just one more thing to blow off when you've got other more important things to do? The Small Catechism reminds us that the Sacrament of the Altar is given to us Christians to eat and drink. That means that if we're Christians, we'll eat and drink it.

Some people let weeks, months or even years pass without receiving the Lord's Supper. Martin Luther had some pretty strong words on that subject in his Large Catechism on the Sacrament of the Altar: “It must be known that people who deprive themselves of and withdraw from the Sacrament for such a long time are not to be considered Christians. For Christ has not instituted it to be treated as a show. Instead, He has commanded His Christians to eat it, drink it, and remember Him by it” (LC, paragraph 42).

To be a Christian is to hunger and thirst for that very gift by which we have forgiveness of sins, new life and salvation. It is called “a food of souls.” Luther also compares the Sacrament to an antidote for the sin that ails you: “They should regard and use the Sacrament just like a precious antidote against the poison that they have in them” (LC, 70).

Jesus died on the cross and rose again, taking away our sins. That forgiveness is given to us in a special way in the Sacrament of the Altar, because by His body and blood, Jesus lives in us and we live in Him. That is Jesus’ body placed on your tongue and Jesus’ blood sipped by your lips! Plus, He promised that to eat and drink His body and blood means He will raise us up on the Last Day (John 6:54). Who wouldn't desire that?

The purpose of the Lord's Supper is to deliver Christ's forgiveness. It's a gift—a saving and life-giving gift. The Lord’s Supper is pure Gospel. On the one hand, we don't make laws and rules about it and say how many times and how often you have to receive it. On the other hand, since Jesus gave us this gift, we have to wonder when someone despises this holy supper and doesn't ever come to receive it.

Luther had a great way of putting things clearly and succinctly. For those who do not feel all that distressed about their sin and do not experience hunger and thirst for the Sacrament, Luther writes, “For those who are of such a mind that they do not realize their condition I know no better counsel than that they put their hand into their shirt to check whether they have flesh and blood. … In short, the less you feel your sins and infirmities, the more reason you have to go to the Sacrament to seek help and a remedy” (LC, paragraphs 75, 78).

Beware of thinking the Sacrament is just one more religious thing you should do once in awhile! Rather, see it as the wonderful gift that it is: forgiveness, new life and salvation. Christ has instituted this meal of His body and blood for you, dear Christian. The One who hung upon the cross now comes to you on the altar to feast upon His flesh and blood and have eternal life. That's not a burden, but a joyous gift!

Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared This feast for our salvation; It is Your body and Your blood, And at Your invitation As weary souls, with sin oppressed, We come to You for needed rest, For comfort, and for pardon. (Lutheran Study Bible)