With, On, By

In this meal we sit down to eat with Jesus Christ, we feed on Jesus Christ, and we are fed by Jesus Christ.

First, what do we mean by with? In the Great Commission, Jesus promised to be with His followers until the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). He does this by means of His Holy Spirit, which He poured out on His people on the day of Pentecost.

How do we feed on Jesus Christ? Jesus said that unless we feed on Him, we have no life within us (John 6:54). And how do we feed on Him, as He presents Himself to us as the bread of life? He explains the hard saying to His disciples by saying that His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). We feed on those words by the Holy Spirit also.

How are we fed by Jesus Christ? Jesus saw the multitudes (John 6:6), He tested Philip, but He already knew what He was going to do. He was going to feed those who had flocked to Him. How could He not? He is the chief shepherd, and this is what shepherds do—they protect the flock as they lead the flock to green pastures.

This is not all that is occurring in this gracious meal, but this is right at the heart of what is occurring. You are Christian people, and because you are alive in Christ, it follows that you are hungry in Christ. But there is no way to be hungry in Christ without being hungry for Him.

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.