[Joel 2:13+]
HE IS TRULY WORTHY AND WELL-PREPARED, WHO BELIEVES THESE WORDS, "GIVEN,
AND FOR YOU, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS." We are to come worthily, not in
the sense of deserving, but of earnestly _desiring_ the benefits offered
in the sacrament. We come worthily when we come with penitent and
believing heart, [Ps. 51:17+, Matt. 11:28+] lamenting our sins, longing
for forgiveness and for strength to do better, and believing the words
spoken to us, "given and shed for _thee_ for the remission of sins."
THE CONFESSIONAL SERVICE. The administration of the Lord's Supper is
always preceded by the service of confession and absolution, so that
those who desire to come to the Lord's Table may prepare themselves to
come worthily. At this service we make a public confession of our sins,
of our faith in Christ our Saviour, and of our earnest determination by
God's grace to lead a holy life. Since Christ has conferred upon the
Church the Power of the Keys, saying, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they
are remitted, unto them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are
retained," [John 20:23] the minister uses this power and pronounces the
absolution.
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