We live in a world filled with the glory and kindness of God. We also live in a world filled with sin, sin that can be defined as refusal to see the glory and kindness of God. Some Christians have so emphasized the presence and tenacity of sin that they have made themselves unable to see the glory and kindness of God. And of course this inability is just more sin. We cannot deal with sin by committing more of it. The way out is repentance, changing our minds, turning around. This Table is one of the central places where we are to repent—but not of our individual sins, faults and failings. That should already be done before you get here. You wash up at the sink, not at the table.
But at the same time, this Table is a wonderful place to see (and repent of) the various ways we slander God. He has set a Table for us. Perhaps He did it, we think, because He is trying to poison us. He sent His Son to die on the cross in order to save us. Perhaps, we think, He really wants to damn us. He invites us to sit down—there is a place card here, with your name on it. That name was written in blood before the world was created. He took off His outer cloak, and stooped down to wash our feet. Perhaps He is doing this, we think, to mock us.
No—put away all such sinful thoughts. This is the place to learn that God really does love you, really does want to save you, and He offers the nourishment of His covenant to you. Take it, and eat. Take it, and drink. What does it all mean? Among other things, it means that you are accepted, forgiven, justified, cleansed, put right, straightened out, and beloved of God. Faith can apprehend all things, even this. Take and eat. Take and drink.