Merciful Father, You gave Your son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on the Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished into life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
“I can’t wait to hold that baby in my arms and feast my eyes on her.” They were words of a very excited new grandmother I knew. Her daughter-in-law had just given birth and they were planning a trip to visit the new family. I am not sure she remembered how tired she had been after the birth of her children. I do not think she was dwelling on the midnight feedings or the mountains of laundry which a little person can produce. She was looking forward to the grandmotherly things. She just wanted to hold that child and look her in the eyes and see features of her family combined with those of the daughter-in-law’s family in this new face.
We pray today that in faith we may feast on Jesus. We limit that unnecessarily if we think only of the Lord’s Supper. The feasting takes place in many ways. I feasted on Jesus in VBS and Sunday School as a child. My mom regularly led the singing and taught a class. I sat on my father’s lap while he read devotions and, later, when he had me read the family devotions myself. I listened and feasted in parochial school and Matins services too. I was nourished to see and experience Christian love and gentleness, kindness, and all the other fruits of the Spirit taking shape in the Christian congregations I have served and in which I have worshiped. I have feasted, eaten to satiety.
The feast of Christ is likely all about you, waiting to be consumed. Pick up your Bible, a Christian devotional text, or some other materials which brings to the message of Christ’s love. Sing a Christian hymn or song. Better, talk to a friend about Jesus today or sing with them. He occupies those little conversations and often uses them to great effect to feed the Christian soul. Study God’s Word with your fellow Christians, join a study group. Slow down enough to see the little acts of gracious kindness and love between people. Engage in a few of those yourself. Of course, also attend worship and kneel at that rail or stand before that altar and receive the body and blood of Christ. Believe, trust that herein God is giving you to feast on Christ and nourishing you to everlasting life.