Even the Crumbs

After the Divine Service this past Sunday I was gently, and rightly, admonished in regard to breaking the Host over the Ciborium after it was consecrated. This admonishment I receive gladly, and can only think it is a lack of comprehension on my part as to how the proper altar manner escaped me (besides that I had never been taught in this specific practice).

The Sacrament of the Altar often does not receive the reverence it deserves. I happen to be an unfortunate example of one who lacks comprehension when it comes to what is truly laid out for mortal flesh to receive thereby, and will remain so unless and until the Lord deals with me in a manner that causes me better to comprehend the breadth and depth of His grace and mercy.

In thinking this through a bit further, it occurred to me that there must be occasions where the Lord’s body and blood are ultimately not consumed. There is absolutely no way to avoid the loss of a small portion of the sacramental elements to the balance of creation – those places where body, soul, and spirit are not present, and thus not in need of the preservation obtained through the forgiveness of sins.

One could think through the Supper as it was instituted and scarcely imagine any of the disciples or the Lord Jesus scrambling to make sure not a single crumb or drop was lost. We do not have a word on that. It is out of a confession that upholds the reality of Who is bodily present that we take care to treat the consecrated elements with the utmost respect and reverence and consume them together as we have been taught from Above.

But when it comes to these tiny portions that are lost, what shall we say?

"Even the crumbs . . . ." Yes, perhaps. Even more, however, this body and blood is not only the subject and object of those who consume it, but also the subject and object of all creation, so that where the Lord’s body and blood are distributed, even if they do not enter into the mouths of mortals, they sanctify those places whereupon they are distributed, whether it be His altar, His sanctuary, or any place where His word of forgiveness is preached and administered. We do not have a word on that, either, but what else could we possibly make of it?

Let these words in no way be understood as license to treat the consecrated elements with any less reverence than they deserve, but let them serve as small comfort for those who administer His gifts with not only fear and trembling, but also a small dose of muddle-headedness.
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The World Accuses Christians

Most often when Christians hear accusations that they do not "love the way Jesus loves" or "act the way Jesus acts," the accusations come from those who are not found where Jesus teaches and preaches the Gospel, namely inside a church sanctuary where His very body and blood are distributed to poor sinners who need it. The accusations of those who refuse to sit at Jesus feet hold no sway, nor will they have effect on the Day of Judgment accept as words by which the accusers themselves will be condemned.

As for their use of Sacred Scripture to accuse those who are within the ark of Christendom, they are little different than howling beasts. Proper accusation originates from a holy God, who demands a love they do not know, because they do not fear, love, or trust in Him. If they did, they would regularly hear His Word and follow Him, abiding in His forgiveness and disciplining every urge that militates against God.

They are invited to the same feast of forgiveness that all Christians participate in, yet the invitation falls on deaf ears, else they would be where Jesus is. The Scriptures remain a closed book to them; therefore, like the devil who tempted Christ in the desert, they cherry pick from the Sacred Scriptures and twist them to suit their pleasures. Rather than accept discipline and rebuke, like fools they carry on in delusions as if love is without discipline.

For I am ready to fall,
And my sorrow is continually before me.
For I confess my iniquity;
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

But my enemies are vigorous and strong,
And many are those who hate me wrongfully.
And those who repay evil for good,
They oppose me, because I follow what is good.

Do not forsake me, O LORD;
O my God, do not be far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! -Psalm 38:17-22

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Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. - Matthew 9:10

A self-righteous person, when he reads how Jesus dines and associates with sinners, will consider it to be a tacit endorsement of sin, assign guilt by association, and then accuse Jesus of taking part in the other person’s immorality. This is what the Pharisees and other Church officials did. An unrighteous person will consider it to be an explicit endorsement of sin, as if Jesus accepts all types of behaviors and has nothing to say about them in the way of judgment.

Both are wrong. Jesus does not endorse sin either tacitly or explicitly. As the Holy, incarnate Son of God, His whole purpose is to enter into this cosmos where sin holds sway with everyone and everything – the proof of sin being death, disease, all manner of evil and more – and take it all away, first by becoming sin on the cross and atoning for it, then by being raised up through the glory of the Father as proof and substance of a righteousness that avails before God, through which He intercedes for all who call on His Name. His purpose is not to endorse sin, but to remove it and thereby embrace poor sinners so they may enter into His courts with praise both in this life and in the life to come. But how will sin be removed from those who do not even know what it is or do not treat it seriously?

In Jesus there is one case where it happens literally to be true: “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” His Church would damn him for associating with sinners, and sinners who looked on and wagged their heads as His crucifixion took place, would damn him, too. Most of all, He would be forsaken of God, which is truly what it means to be damned. This damning took place upon Him for our sakes, because He is our true Substitute in our flesh, who renders satisfaction before the Holy Creator for our offenses.

The entirety of the Sacred Scriptures point to this very Christ and His work on behalf of poor sinners, a work that continues to this day because He lives and distributes His benefits in His Church through His Word and preachers.

It is inappropriate at best to toss Matthew 9:10 out into print as red meat in the interest of stemming a perceived hypocrisy or injustice. The sinners whom Jesus joined – He chose to join them, they did not invite him unless they first realized their sinful condition before God – they were not there to hurl obscenities and insults like so many today who howl, yowl, indulge in all kinds of sexual immorality and debauchery and then throw Matthew 9:10 out like so much fodder for pigs as if there is an excuse for wrongdoing.

Some of the sinners and tax collectors mentioned above doubtless wandered in after Jesus was present, and Jesus was intent on dining with them, too. But it would be a sorry conclusion to suggest Jesus throws Himself into debauchery or welcomes it. He is a perfect example of being in the world but not of the world, as He also disciplines His followers to be.

It is also unbecoming at best to publish verses of Sacred Scripture and comment upon them without being subject to discipline, both by the Scriptures and by the Church to whom the Scriptures are given. There is a reason Jesus speaks of His followers as disciples. Unless one is under the care and tutelage of one who has studied and knows the Scriptures, it is best not to speak and apply the biblical texts until one is under such care and willing to accept admonition. Jesus says, “Test the spirits.” He also enjoins all under His care to be continually devoted to His teaching.

Tossing out a few Bible verses and then assigning applications on the fly is hardly characteristic of Christian disciples or the Church. It happens all too often, like certain hyenas who quote from the Book of Leviticus and then suggest Christians think they are enjoined thereby to carry out the laws prescribed to the people of Israel at that time. Such people are not willing to be subject to Church discipline. They would rather do their own thing. They have accepted themselves as an authority. They will not tolerate correction. As a result their comments are worse than misleading. They are an abomination.

This is not characteristic the Christian Church, where, by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, Christians, pastors, teachers and all are subjected by the Holy Spirit to the biblical texts as a whole, and to one another so that they are built up. This is God’s doing. It not some kind of voluntary association, because God ultimately speaks His truth when and where it pleases Him, and works faith when and where it pleases Him, and He is not confused as to what we are to believe, teach, and confess.

Yes, there are manifest differences between Church bodies and even controversies over biblical interpretation. That is the nature of living in a sinful world. But just as Jesus' presence at table with sinners is not an endorsement of sin, the presence of divisions in the Church, or even sinners in the Church, is not an indictment against Jesus. He is the Head, and His Christians, weak as they appear to be (and are), are His members, who are placed into His body unto life everlasting.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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