It is possible to eat & drink the elements on this table and not partake of the spiritual reality they point to. This table is laden with incarnate humility. Christ humbled himself to death, and invites you into the glory He obtained in His humiliation. But to do so, you must humble yourself. If you haven’t noticed, however, that’s not something we generally like to do.
The ungodly hate the thought of humbling themselves. History is littered with examples of hubris and pride of man. Think of the tower of Babel. Or of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue of…wait for it…himself. Another example which isn’t recorded in the NT, but took place in the days of the early church is worth bearing in mind: Nero once set up a 12 story statue of…you guessed it…himself. That man makes Narcissus look positively unassuming.
But this meal is not a mirror for you to fondly gaze upon yourself. It is sign of God’s oath to bind you unto Himself through the humiliation of Christ. Set before you, by the kindness and love of God, is the glory of humility. Here is the flesh and blood of the Lord of glory, who became the man of sorrows.
How is it that the vanity of man’s empires are brought low, while Christ’s empire marches on to universal conquest? It is all due to the great humiliation of God the Son. And He invites you to join in the glory of lowliness of mind. The glory of service. The splendor of being spilled out. As Jonathan Edwards put it, “Humility is a most essential and distinguishing trait in all true piety!”
The meek of the earth gather here at the Lord’s table to feast upon the humble God who descended into the depths, in order to raise you up into His glory.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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