The glory that is developing at this Table is far greater than any mortal man can imagine. We do not know the height, or breadth or depth of it—although the apostle prays that we might begin our lessons. He prays that the saints would be able to know that which surpasses knowledge, to grasp the ungraspable, to comprehend the incomprehensible. This is not an exercise in futility or hopelessness; it occurs in the context of Paul’s recognition that the Holy Spirit is working into the history of the world one of the greatest miracles ever performed. One of the greatest miracles of history is the miracle found at the climax of history—the unveiling of the bride of Christ, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such blemish.
We are that bride of Christ, and corporately, together, we look forward to that great Day when we shall walk down the aisle of heaven’s cathedral. Until then, there are many preparations to make, and mundane things to accomplish. But one of the greatest preparations is the matter of becoming truly human again so that we might marry the True Man.
But this is not a work that we can do. None of it is a work that we can do. How could we arrange to grow up into a perfect bride? But God has seen to it. In and through this meal, at the culmination of the worship service, where the gospel has been declared and set forth plainly, the Holy Spirit does His work of knitting us together, bone, muscle, sinew. We are being grown up, and it is all a very great mystery, as Paul understates it.
We do not seek to explain the miracle, but we may describe it. This is not a mere memorial, and it is not a form of ritual cannibalism. This is the day of resurrection, the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. On this day, in our corporate worship, the Holy Spirit lifts us up to heaven, where we presently are, and by evangelical faith we partake of the living Christ, and, as we do, His life continues to be imparted to us.