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The Sacraments

The Sacraments. Part 4: The Meal in the NT & the Medieval Church. Meals & Jesus’ Ministry. The Feeding of the Multitudes is present in all four Gospels Matt. 14:13ff.; Mark 6:32ff.; Luke 9:10ff.; John 6:1ff.; also Matt. 15:32ff.; Mark 8:1ff.

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The Sacraments

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  1. The Sacraments Part 4: The Meal in the NT & the Medieval Church

  2. Meals & Jesus’ Ministry • The Feeding of the Multitudes is present in all four Gospels • Matt. 14:13ff.; Mark 6:32ff.; Luke 9:10ff.; John 6:1ff.; also Matt. 15:32ff.; Mark 8:1ff. • Jesus regularly engages in table fellowship with sinners • Matt. 9:10ff.; Mark 2:15ff.; Luke 5:27ff., 15:1ff, 19:1ff.

  3. Meals & Jesus’ Ministry • Meal imagery is common in the parables • Matt. 22:1-14; Luke 14:16-24; et al • Meal imagery is often used to mark inclusion of Gentiles (e.g., Matt. 8:11ff.) • In John 6, the feeding immediately leads to messianic expectations; Jesus offers himself as the Bread of Life for the world

  4. Meals & Jesus’ Ministry • Throughout Jesus’ ministry, table fellowship serves an important teaching purpose • The meal becomes a symbol for the inclusive fellowship of the reign of God • Jesus himself becomes the symbol of God’s gracious feeding of the world

  5. The Supper In The Synoptics • Synoptics portray the meal as a Passover meal • Matt. 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13 • Meal is related to the coming reign of God • Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18 • Through the “cup” of Jesus’ coming crucifixion, God is acting decisively to liberate and save the world (cf. Mark 10:35-45)

  6. The Supper In Paul • Paul’s account (1 Cor. 11:17-35) is likely the earliest of the narratives • Both liturgical text and corrective • Believers do the meal when gathered as church • Values of reign of God are to be reflected in practice of meal • We become what we enact, the saving Body of Christ for the world

  7. The Earliest Disciples • Disciples gathered for the meal expecting the fulfillment of the reign of God (i.e., the return of Christ) • The meal points the community back, to the inauguration of the reign of God in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (1 Cor. 11:24-25) • It also points the community forward to the fulfillment of the reign of God (1 Cor. 11:26)

  8. Terminology • The term “breaking of bread” occurs 17x in Acts, always in reference to this meal • Paul uses the term “Lord’s Supper” • By the late 1st Century, the term “Eucharist” has come to mean not only the prayer, but the entire rite • The medieval church, including Luther, used the term “Mass” • Swedish Lutherans (and others) still use this term

  9. Mass in the Medieval Church • Ambrose of Milan (339-397): words of institution consecrate elements • Though spoken by priest, “they are Christ’s own words” • 4th Lateran Council (1215) defines miracle of transubstantiation • Bread and wine change into body and blood of Christ; only look like bread and wine

  10. Mass in the Medieval Church • Decretum pro Arminiis (1439): “the priest, speaking in the person of Christ, confects (makes) this sacrament” • Only a validly ordained priest has power to speak words which will effect change • Modern Note: Women can’t speak in person of Christ, because he was male • Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving (eucharist) • Sacrifice of expiation (an offering of Christ to the Father for the forgiveness of sins)

  11. Mass in the Medieval Church • Priest faced “toward God” on behalf of the people (“east wall” altars) • Mass could be beneficial apart from presence of congregation • Chancel is stage for allegorical drama of salvation • Transubstantiated elements are to be retained, venerated

  12. Next Time: Reformation Perspectives on the Meal

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