Luke 18:13--And a tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"
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78.Q. Are the bread and wine changed into the read body and blood of Christ?
A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ's blood and does not itself wash away sins but is simply God's sign and assurance, so too the bread of the Lord's Supper is not changed into the actual body of Christ even though it is called the body of Christ in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments.
79.Q.Why then does Christ call the bread His body and the cup His blood, or the new covenant in His blood? (Paul uses the words, a participation in Christ's body and blood.)
A. christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that as bread and wine nourish our temporal life, so too His crucified body and poured-out blood truly nourish our souls for eternal life. But more important, He want to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge that we, through the Holy Spirit's work, share in His true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in His remembrance, and that all of His suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and paid for our sins.
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Just as people had differing and distinctive personalities, so they are also affected by distinctive temptations...How few truly seek to know themselves or possess the courage to do so.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for prisoners being held in Iran where believers face re-arrest, torture and even death.
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O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
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I slew him—this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." -adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon
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