One of our hymns laments the choice that many others have made with regard to the Lord’s Table.
Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?
The choices men make are odd, and it is even stranger that if God had not turned our hearts back to Him, we would have made the same choice that they have made. They would rather starve than partake of a certain kind of food. They want food, certainly, but on their terms, their way. This is the mystery of lawlessness; this is the reason that sin makes no sense.
And so we need to remember the grace of God at this Table, and how it is offered to us in two respects. First is the grace offered to you on the Table—the wine for cleansing and the bread for salvation. This food is for all who ask for it. This is where God has shown additional grace to us—He gave us the grace of wanting to partake of this.
He gave us the food, and He gave the ability to eat, and the desire to have it. This is all the grace of God, every bit of it. There is nothing here that was not given to you as a gift. And if as a gift, then never boast over the privilege of coming while others starve. That was your desire too, before God gave you a different heart. And recognition of this is why we see it truly as a thanksgiving meal.