The Puritan William Bridge noted that it is “man’s disposition to come to God at the second hand.” As we approach the Supper, we are sometimes tempted to think of God as the wholesaler, and the minister of the particular church as the retailer. But that is not how this is at all.
God is not off at a distance. This is a meal with Him, and not receiving something from Him at the end of a long supply chain. God is with us in the creation—in Him we live and move and have our being—but more than this, He is will us in the covenant of grace. God is present, here, now.
When we partake of this meal in faith, we are partaking of Christ. He does not keep us at a distance. He is present here, according to His Word. Sometimes we feel that presence, and sometimes we don’t. When we feel His presence with us, this is a testimony of His love for us. When we don’t feel His presence in the same way, it is a testimony of our love for Him—we long to be with Him, and to know that we are with Him.
God interrupts our peace sometimes so that we will know more deeply what a great gift of grace that peace was. We long for it to return, knowing more fully what blessing it was. All these things are offered here, in this meal, and by a God who is present with us. We used to be far off, but no longer. We are celebrating the birth of Immanuel, remember, which means God with us. So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.