Questions & Answers

We receive the Lord's Supper for precisely the same reasons that we listen to or read the gospel when the Word of God is made available to us. You are correct when you describe that you have the free and full forgiveness of sins as you confess your sins to God and seek his forgiveness on account of Christ's perfect and completed work for you. Why do you enjoy this magnificent reality? Not because of your asking or being sorry for your sins (although these are certainly a part of your thinking and feeling since the Holy Spirit leads you to express this). Rather, it is because of Christ's work for you, his giving himself, including his body and blood into death in your place—and the Holy Spirit has brought you to trust or rely on Christ as your Savior and substitute. How did you receive and now enjoy this saving faith? Through the gospel. And when you receive the Lord's Supper you are receiving the very same good news about Christ's work for you—along with the body and blood to affirm and intensify the message for your spiritual health. And your saving faith is being nourished.

The Lord's Supper has been called a "visible gospel" since it comes to us visibly in a way that the spoken or written Word does not. But it's the same gospel, essentially the same message. The Holy Spirit uses the Lord's Supper the same way he uses the Word of God to maintain and strengthen our faith in Christ. No wonder we delight in both Word and sacrament. You are not really receiving anything different, but you are receiving it in a different way—the forgiveness of sins and affirmation of Christ's work for you.

When asked, "Why the Lord's Supper in addition to the Bible reading or sermons we already receive?" we may reply, "For the same reason we enjoy and want lunch and supper in addition to breakfast." All are designed to nourish and strengthen us. All feed us physically. Word and sacrament feed us spiritually. The more the better!