Trinity Pulpit

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

August 10, 2008

Synopsis ►

This whole hymn is describing what happens when we attend the Lord’s Table. Sometimes we take the Lord’s Table for granted; perhaps we think we are just going through a ritual. But what happens when we take the Lord’s Supper is nothing short of miraculous. We are told in the Epistle lesson that the law was glorious, even though it was a ministry of death and condemnation, it was glorious. If that which condemned us was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit. The Law says, “Do this and die;” the Spirit says, “Believe this and live!” What this beautiful hymn tells us is part of the ministry of the Spirit. It is not Law that Our Lord comes to us through this Table. When it comes to these Holy Things—this Communion every Sunday morning, our “mortal flesh” should keep its mouth shut. There is nothing we can say. It’s beyond our comprehension. It is eternal and we are not.

We believe not that this represents Jesus; but that Jesus Himself is in, with, and under this bread and wine because He said He is there. IS. The Body and Blood of Christ do not belong to me, or to this church, or to any mortal. They belong to Christ. He comes to this table because He wants to. That same Word that was in the Garden creating, that hung on the cross, that spoke to Peter and Paul is here in this Bread and Wine. For you. There is a transaction going on here. When this goes into your mouth, forgiveness is delivered. To you. He brings what He says He will bring. Where Jesus is there must be forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. God doesn’t need us to feed Him; He comes to feed us to pull us out of the grave. When we say the words of Christ at our Communion Table, the Heavens part and Christ comes to vanquish death and the devil.

Scriptures for the Day ►

Old Testament—Isaiah 29:18-24

Epistle—2 Corinthians 3:4-11

Gospel—St. Mark 7:31-37

Hymn—“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (Lutheran Service Book) LSB #621 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

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