At His Table
“Take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me”
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
This is an invitation to the most unusual and miraculous of meals. C.S. Lewis, who is good at unraveling religious things said “We are not told to understand it, we are just told to do it.” For the Christian it is an invitation to God’s table, set up by Jesus Christ, and it is also a command. The bread is symbolic of His broken body, and the wine, of His blood shed for us. But did we need such a meal? Yes! Desperately! Or God would never have gone to the ultimate lengths (the crucifixion and the Resurrection) to provide it for us. It is the only meal that feeds our spiritual life here and now and for an eternity. According to Jesus, we shall also eat at this Table in Heaven. (Luke 22:18)
We needed forgiveness and a brand new and right relationship with a Holy God, ready to accept us as His redeemed children. John tells us: “…As many as received Jesus, to them He gave the power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” (John 1:12). So as God’s children, we meet at His Table every Sunday morning. But do we obey the whole command or only part of it? We faithfully do the first part but what about the second part – doing it in remembrance of Christ’ broken body and shed blood? What thoughts go through our minds as we approach the Table and partake? Do we really focus on Christ? Do we remember His indescribable suffering and death on our account? Do we feel more gratitude, love and loyalty to such a Savior? This is exactly why Jesus told us to remember Him – so that we can become more thankful, more loving, more committed, more appreciative of all that He has done.
So let us be careful, and not go to the Table routinely or with cold hearts, but with hearts aflame with love and gratitude for our salvation and appreciation of our risen Savior.
Al Jones