4-1-2021

Good Morning All,

    Matthew 26:29; “I can guarantee that I won’t drink this wine again until that day when I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

    For those many years that I coached baseball, the most difficult part was scheduling games.  There was no organized list of coaches, so you just sort of hunted.  You might know a guy who was coaching this town and maybe he knew someone in that town.  A couple of times, I called the city finance office to ask if they knew who the coach was.  The hard part is that, in small town South Dakota, this year’s coach might not have been last year’s coach.  This town might not have a team while a different team down the road has one.  Over the years, I developed my contacts and thought it was running smoothly until one of the dads wanted me to make sure and schedule the games in towns that had a restaurant open after the game.  He said he thought it would be good for the kids to have a “victory meal” (even if we lost).  I then became the coach and head maître d!

   I admit, the thought of a victory meal sounded like a good idea.  It still does and tonight (Maundy Thursday) we celebrate our victory meal.  The meal that Jesus instituted in order that we would have a taste of “the feast to come”.  It is a meal that is meant to encourage us, to nourish our faith and our spirits, to comfort our pain and to forgive our sins.

   I do not think the disciples picked up on Jesus telling them he would drink this wine with them in my Father’s kingdom.  Jesus spoke these words knowing full well that in 24 hours, he would be lying dead in a tomb.  But Jesus gave his disciples (that includes us) this victory meal because that death and that tomb were the tools, He used to give us the victory.  In his death, we receive our atonement as the blood of Abraham’s descendant was shed for God’s people. This atonement was perfect and complete, and God accepted it in full payment of our debt of sin.  Jesus displayed this victory by leaving the tomb and thus conquering death, our final enemy, forever.

    To help us to remember this, to hold onto this wonderful truth, to strengthen and encourage us, Jesus gave us the victory meal of his body and blood in the bread and the wine so that we may be people of hope.  We are a people of peace and hope that will not fail us.  Jesus knew the price he would pay, but he also knew the results when he did, and he chose to pay the price for you and for me.

    So, if you have the chance, partake in the victory meal today.  Savor the victory that truly is ours because of Jesus.  Then partake in it ever time you get the opportunity and be nourished and lavished with the greatest victory meal of all time!!

Gracious Lord, by giving us your body and your blood to eat and to drink, you nourish us with hope eternal.  Keep us ever under your wing that we may always know of your peace and comfort.  Breathe new confidence in us that we may be your willing and active servants to those in need of your care.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret