As the Lord established the sacrament of the Supper, He did a very interesting thing – He predicted the future failure of Peter. And yet He still administered it to him. We would tend to think that the blessing was wasted on Peter, when we should really be thinking that without it he might have fallen as Judas did. The grace of God is not a wage or paycheck, and not an occasion for us to make self-willed promises – as Peter did.
Too often we view the Supper as a reward for having been good, or a promise on our part that we will never commit a particular sin. But this is not what it is – it is a sign and seal of the grace of God.
Of course, God commands us not to sin, but the Lord’s Supper is not the moment when we steel our resolve and make our vows. It is the moment when we sit and marvel at what God has done and is doing. In the gospel, God speaks to sinners. In the waters of baptism, He washes sinners. In the bread and wine, He feeds sinners. Never forget the object of His kindness – sinners. And never forget the point of His attentions – to transform us into His everlasting saints.
Are we there yet? Not until the resurrection. Are we there yet? Yes, of course – we are seated at a heavenly table, with heavenly bread and heavenly wine. And what brought us there? The sovereign and conquering grace of God.