The Sacrament of the Altar
Q59. What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, given under the bread and wine. Christ himself set it up for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 26:26–28
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Mark 14:22–24
“And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake , and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.”
Luke 22:19–20
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake , and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
1 Corinthians 11:23–25
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake , and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink , in remembrance of me.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the catechism say the Sacrament of the Altar is?
- 2
Why does it matter that the bread and wine are the true body and blood of Jesus?
- 3
Who set up this sacrament, and why?
Illustration
When Jesus says "This is my body" and "This is my blood," he means it. The bread is still bread and the wine is still wine, but in, with, and under them, Christ gives his actual body and blood. This is not a symbol or a reminder. Jesus himself comes to you in this meal. He is that close.
Application
The next time your family goes to the Lord's Supper, pay close attention to the Words of Institution. Listen for "This is my body" and "This is my blood." Because Christ keeps his word, he is giving you himself in that meal.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)