God has fashioned the world in such a way that table companionship is filled with meaning. And it is not just one meaning, but a multitude of meanings, running in every direction. But one of those meanings is the implied pledge of mutual fidelity.
We can see this in the implications found in the words of the psalmist “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9). The complaint here depends upon an understanding of the treachery involved. How is it possible for a good friend, one who had shared bread with the psalmist, to turn away in betrayal? The words are made even more poignant when Jesus quotes them in application to Judas (John 13:18). In other words, what was the case with ordinary table fellowship remains the case with sacramental table fellowship.
And so we have gathered here, friends and table companions to the Lord. By coming here, we are accepting this standard—that those who break bread together should be loyal to one another.
Not only are we accepting the standard, we are imitating the standard as it is found in the one who is seated at the head of the Table. The Lord Jesus embodies everything that anyone who is seated here should always embody. In other words, He will never play the role of Judas—not in great things, and not in small things. He is the ultimate example of loyalty.
We, on the other hand, confess our sins at the beginning of every service. We know that whenever we sin, we are lifting up our heel against Christ. We do confess those sins, and the tendencies we have to commit them, and seek God’s forgiveness. He knew we would be like this when He saved us, and He nevertheless receives us gladly, constantly, warmly. Even with the fact of our sins and waywardness, He still wants us to come.
And so we come here weekly because we are greatly in need of our loyalty lessons.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.