Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity – Wednesday

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine. – Matthew 7:6.

These are words of our blessed Lord. “That which is holy” would also include the Lord’s Supper, which is one of our priceless spiritual “pearls.” By “dogs” and “swine” Jesus is referring to such as are known to be ungodly and impenitent; for after the manner of dogs and swine they abuse this most holy thing which the mercy of God has devised for us poor sinners. Is it not so?

The Lord’s Supper should be denied to such persons. They would eat and drink damnation and judgment to themselves in the Holy Supper. They are unworthy (not fit to partake) of the Lord’s Supper. And “he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body,” says the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 11:29).

When a pastor knowingly and intentionally, out of indifference, from fear of men, or for the love of gain, admits such ungodly and impenitent persons to the Lord’s Supper, then he flatly disobeys the injunction of the Lord and brings down upon himself the punishment of God. And when church-members, for any reason whatsoever, demand that such persons be admitted to the Lord’s Supper, they are in the same position. The Lord’s Supper is instituted for Christians, for God’s children, who repent of their sins, believe in Christ, and are earnestly resolved, with the aid of God the Holy Ghost, working through the Word, henceforth to amend their sinful lives.

It is good and profitable for everyone to take this to heart.

 PRAYER – Graciously grant, O Lord and Savior, that Thy holy Sacrament may be kept sacred among us, and be used by us for our soul’s welfare, and that it may not be cast before dogs and swine. Grant me and all sincere Christians grace to come to a true knowledge of this Thy will and to take it well to heart. O let Thy blessed Sacrament be to us what Thy mercy hath designed it to be: A table where heavenly food and drink are given to poor and grief-stricken sinners who put their trust in Thee. Amen.

Whoso to this Board repaireth

May take heed how he prepareth;

For if he does not believe,

Then death for life he shall receive.

Hymn 311, 3.