This is the Table of grace, and God has set it down in the midst of a sinful world. Sinful unrighteousness knows enough to stay away, but sinful righteousness is constantly trying to figure out ways to turn this into a Table of law. But God reigns on His throne, and His determinative Word cannot be altered by our confusions.
You don’t have to be good to come here—you just have to know that you’re bad. You cannot save up enough money to buy a ticket to this banquet. This is the place where all petty scruples are to be set aside. Your manners may be uncouth, but if your heart loves true grace, this is a sign that God has invited you here.
When you take this bread and put it in your mouth, and you taste and swallow this wine, know this. Your mouth has been filled with grace. This is what forgiveness tastes like. You must be done with your pitiful attempts to be accepted on the basis of your merits. If you are in bondage, then come. If you are in bondage, but do not yet know the Lord, then come through the water. If you have been baptized, and you do know the Lord, but have fallen for any of the enslaving lies that the enemy of our souls loves to tell, then just come. If you are in bondage about the food you eat, then come—here is the place where you must learn to eat and drink.
Here is the place where you acknowledge your liberation. This is a Table for free sons and true daughters. Come, and welcome.