“This Is My Body”
Maundy Thursday’s Verses:
From 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 ESV
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The night He was betrayed, Maundy Thursday, our Lord Jesus sat down with His disciples in the upper room. There, before the shadow of the cross, Jesus gave His Church the greatest gift of all: the Sacrament of the Altar.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Saint Paul faithfully records for us exactly what the Lord had said to him. Jesus took the bread, said the words of thanksgiving, broke it, and said the words that resonate from every Lutheran altar: “This is My body, which is for you.”
It is the literal body of Christ that Lutherans receive. These are not metaphoric words. They are the powerful, creative Word of the Son of God speaking. Jesus said “Let there be light” and there was light. He says here, “This is My body”—and it is. In, with, and under the bread of the altar, Christ makes present His true body given for us on Calvary.
In this wonderful gift lies the heart of Lutheran teaching on the Lord’s Supper. It is not merely the remembrance of a past event. It is the true body and blood of Christ given “for you”—for the forgiveness of sins, for life, and for salvation. The body that hung dying on the cross is truly given into our mouths. The blood that was shed for our sins, that sealed our new covenant with God, is truly poured out for us.
As we anticipate celebrating the Lord’s Supper tonight, let us remember that this is not an empty ritual meal on Maundy Thursday. Jesus Christ Himself comes to us in this meal hidden under the forms of bread and wine to give us what we need most: Yourself, Lord Jesus. To strengthen our weak faith. To forgive us our many sins. To bind us to Yourself and to one another in Your Holy Church.
Jesus commanded us: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Do this. Gather at His Table and receive the true body and blood of Christ “for you.” For your forgiveness. For your life. For your salvation.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, it was on this night that You washed Your disciples’ feet and instituted the feast we know as the Lord’s Supper. Nourish our faith and our souls in this feast of Your body and blood, given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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