Concordia TheoBLOGical Seminary

Congratulations to Jonathan Grotefendt of Concordia, Seward for submitting the second and final winning answer to the question: Which is your favorite hymn in the LSB and why? Jonathan’s answer follows. Both he and our first winner, Peter Ahlersmeyer from Concordia, Ann Arbor will receive a personally embossed, leather bound, personal LSB.

“I Come O Savior to Thy Table”

No matter if we sing this hymn or not on Sunday, I always use it as a prayer before and after communion. After reviewing another week’s worth of sin against the savior who so freely saved me, I do approach his table with a weak and weary soul. I need his bread of life to make me whole once again.

After a repentant review of my sin and after I once again realize how dependant I am on Christ, I rejoice in the fact that I have inherited eternal life through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Tlus, he freely gives me his good and gracious gifts through this wondrous meal! What more could I ask for? What greater gift can I inherit?

The thing I love most about this hymn, however, is the beautiful refrain “Lord may your body and your blood be for my soul the highest good.” This continually reminds me that salvation and forgiveness is not of my doing. I am not forgiven because I can make it up to God. I am not saved because of the righteous works I do. I am saved because he was the atoning sacrifice for my sins. His death and resurrection allowed all men to be reunited with God. He then continually works for our good. He daily blesses us with his presence. He daily forgives us and supplies us with his Holy Spirit.

He continually and freely gives us his body and blood which is “for our souls the highest good!”

So no matter what this world tries to offer us, we must always remember that it will all pass away. The things of this world will leave us empty. For it is Christ alone who is our “life and strength forever” and it is by him that our “hungry souls are fed.” So when we approach his table, may our prayer always be, “Lord, may your body and your blood be for my soul the highest good!”