When we come to this Table to receive the elements of bread and wine, we are coming here to receive Jesus Christ Himself.
We do not do this because we have not yet received Him, but rather we do this as part of our ongoing and lifelong reception of Christ. Of course, when we first received Christ, we were coming to faith, we were ushered out of darkness and into light. When we have come here to receive Him, we are not coming here to receive Him for the first time.
Anyone who is in a thriving and ongoing relationship, as between a husband and wife, knows that there is a difference between the initial reception of the other person and the need for a daily reception of the other person. Obviously the relationship cannot continue to grow and thrive if it never began, but just as obviously, it cannot continue to grow and thrive if there is not an ongoing receptivity. The Bible teaches this explicitly.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Col. 2:6–7).
We are to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Christ, in just the same way that we received Him in the first place. We received Christ by grace through faith, and we come to this Table weekly in order to do the same thing. This is not to start over, but it is what it means to continue. This is what it means to abide.
Abide in Christ by receiving Him. And receive Him as He is offered, in full accordance with His Word.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.