Pastor Mason Beecroft found this little gem from Luther, and it’s renewed my committment to preach in such a way that people are led to the Sacrament:
For the preaching ought to be nothing but an explanation of the words of Christ, when he instituted the mass and said, ‘This is my body, this is my blood,’ etc. What is the whole gospel but an explanation of this testament? Christ has gathered up the whole gospel in a short summary with the words of this testament or sacrament.
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"What is the whole gospel but an explanation of this testament?"
Except, of course, that when Luther says "the whole Gospel" he means everything EXCEPT John 6. That, of course, has nothing to do with the Sacrament.
Of course not. It's so obvious! I mean, how could you possibly think "Eat My flesh" and "drink My blood" could have ANYTHING to do with the Supper?