Our Worship – Lesson 47 – The Words of Institution

What are the Words of Institution?

They are the account in God’s Word of Jesus’ instituting the Sacrament of the Altar. In these words, Christ comes into our midst with His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine.

What does it have to do with our worship?

The institution and reception of the body and blood of Christ is the focal point of the service of Christ’s presence. We began with remembrance of the blessings of Baptism in the Invocation, Confession and Absolution. We then received God grace as Christ came to us in His Word. Now we focus on the reception of Christ and His grace as we receive His body and blood, “given and shed” for the forgiveness of sins.

What does the Bible have to say about this?

Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20 – After celebrating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus institutes a new meal; the Sacrament of His body and blood.

1 Corinthians 10:16 – Paul affirms that the Sacrament is the very body and blood of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 – Paul recounts Jesus’ instituting the Sacrament and cautions against abuse of it.  Verses 23-25 are the words used in our worship to institute the Sacrament.

Suggestions

You may want to lead your family through the section of the Catechism on the Sacrament of the Altar.  You may also want to sing any of the following hymns: LSB 618, 619, 628, 636, 637.

Object Lesson

Offer them a glass of water simply saying, “Would you like some water?”  Remind them that you didn’t offer them the glass, just the water.  The water comes in the glass, but the important part is the water.  When Jesus comes to us in the Sacrament of the Altar, He feeds us His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine.  The bread and wine are still there, but like the glass they are not the most important thing in the Sacrament.  The important  blessing of the Sacrament is the body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Prayer

Thy body, given for me, O Savior, Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed, these are my life and strength forever, by them my hungry soul is fed.  Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good!  Amen.