We must not grow indifferent to the message which Jesus came with. He came bringing Good News. His presence upon this earth was the inauguration of the good times. And though He has ascended to the Father’s right hand, He remains with us by His Spirit. The Good News has not become stale; the bright luster of the Gospel has not been corroded into an oxidized patina. Rather, it grows brighter with each day and through each age.
So then, this isn’t a table of gloom. It isn’t a table for stirring up pity upon poor Jesus. It isn’t a table of sorrow. Rather, this is where you can taste true joy and hand it to your fellow saint. This table is a memorial of Christ’s Gospel. The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ is still good news of great Joy.
And not only is the joy undiminished, the joy of the Lord is and ever shall be your strength. And you need strength indeed. There are enemies within and without. Inward sin to subdue, and high towers of evil that need the Jenga treatment. There are wild places that must be tamed. There are toddlers to train in the ways of Jehovah. There are teens who must be readied to go out and make good trouble for the true troublers of Israel. There are aging saints to be tended to in their final days. There is wealth to be made and generously given away. There are houses to build and homes to be furnished with the grace of hospitality.
All of this must arise from the joy of the Lord which is proclaimed here. Your sins are forgiven because Christ’s body was broken and blood spilled on your behalf. And God ordained this so that He might feast with you at this table of rejoicing.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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