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The Holy Supper The Supper was very controversial in the day when the Catechism was written. That is why there is so much space devoted to it. We do not have the same controversy and so we shall not spend the same time on the subject. The Reformers were concerned that the Roman church taught that the bread and wine literally turn into the flesh and blood of Christ in the Sacrament - transubstantiation. At the other extreme the "radical Reformers" said that the Supper was a mere memorial. Luther rebelled against transubstantiation but then turned back to a different but very similar position which is known as consubstantiation, which means that Christ's body and blood is with the elements of bread and wine. The main Reformers steered a middle path between Romanism and "radicalism". They spoke of the Supper, like Baptism, as a sign and seal. This matters because it will help us to understand what is happening at the Lord's Table, and what we are suppose to get out of it (if you'll forgive the expression). In the Sacrament God confirms faith. In Mark's gospel we see a deliberate progress. The first eight chapters are dominated by the Lord's teaching concerning who He was - His PERSON. Chapter 8 is a turning point both geographically and in terms of the teaching. Peter confesses that the Lord is the Christ. From then on there is a new phase of teaching concerning what He came to do- His WORK. See Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 & Mark 10:32-34. But the disciples did not understand this lesson. See Mark 8:32: He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Mark 9:32: But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. So in Mark 14:22-31 Jesus effectively said, "Look, I will show you." So you see He announced the truth and then illustrated it. This is why we have Scripture first and then the Sacrament. There is a reason for doing things as we do them. First the verbal statement and then the visual sign. Verbally, Christ spoke of His death as a ransom (Mark 10:45) Then visually He said "It is for you" (Luke 22:19-23; 1 Corinthians 11:24) It is like an engagement ring. First the man says that he loves her and that he wants her to be his for the rest of his life. Then he brings out the ring as a sign and seal of his professed love and intentions. If the Holy Sipper is a mere memorial it is a human activity. In that case you do something. Of course you do do something: you show forth His death until He comes. But God does something too. This part of it must not be forgotten or neglected. God professes His love towards His people and says that we are His forever. The woman does not show off a ring that she bought herself. That would not mean anything. It is given by the man who loves her to say that he loves her. The Sacrament is given by God. Of course, you have to put it on, but He gives it. He speaks of the work of Christ at the cross and says to you: "it is for you." |
