The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  (Heb 9:13-14 NIV)

The triune God is rich in his graces, but there is none of his means of grace that is instituted to share and apply the blood of Jesus Christ quite like the Lord’s Supper, which has cleansed and forgiven millions and multi-millions of eager expecting Christians. We remember his words of institution, where Jesus Christ said in the night, when he was betrayed: “This is the blood of the new testament, which was shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.” The reason it was shed, is also the reason why it is shared to drink. The Lord sacrificed himself to cleanse and forgive all mankind and this cleansing and propitiation he distributes and hands out in this most holy meal – a blessed sprinkling of sanctification and vivification.

However I don’t believe that these words only point to the Lord’s Supper, but also to the holy washing in water and spirit of Baptism.  Dr. Martin Luther takes this up in his Baptismal hymn: “Our eyes only see water as people are a pouring – yet faith in power of the Spirit understands that’s it the blood of Jesus Christ – that’s why it’s a red flood of blood that heals all ill passed down from Adam and sin committed by our very selves.”  So we perceive in holy Baptism the initial sharing and sprinkling with the blood of Christ, a washing and cleansing for sure it is, this is continued in the Lord’s Supper too – a continual cleansing and sanctification, but also a nutrition to eternal life passing all understanding. Surely heaven opens up to us here. This earth becomes a forecourt to the eternal sanctuaries of the godly heavens. Heaven and earth become one in these most holy sacraments and give us all reason to rejoice, be grateful and full of confidence and faith.

Keep us o Lord in one true faith and living faithful to the end! Let nothing rob us of your grace: Your Word and holy Sacrament+ Fill all the hearts in Christendom with peace and joyful confidence – grant love and faithfulness anew that we come closer still to you + (Friedrich Konrad Hiller, 1662-1726)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after Judica (5th Sunday in Lent). The hymn can be sung to the melody of “Erhalt uns Herr in Deinem Wort...” Both are found on Pg. 146 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.