Every dinner table in every healthy family is a place of conversation, a place where we speak with one another. The table of the Lord at the conclusion of this service of worship is no different.
We must therefore remember the conversational nature of a healthy worship service. This is a service of covenant renewal. We do not simply sit and listen to Scripture being read – God’s monologue. Nor are we to fall into the subjectivist trap of us spending the whole time talking about what we think, without looking to God, seeking His response and approval.
The elements of a true dialogue run throughout our entire service. God summons us, and we respond. God cleanses us, and we respond. God equips us, and nourishes us with His Word, and we respond by hearing Him with faith, and singing gladly because we have heard Him. And then, wonder of wonders, God nourishes us with His food, willing to give us heavenly bread and heavenly wine. And then God sends us out, and we stand up before Him, and we say that we are willing to go. And this what we do on the first day of every week; this is our time of covenant renewal.
So we are entering now into an extended conversation with God. Pay attention therefore to what He says. Pay attention therefore to what we say. It is an occasion of great rejoicing.