The Bridegroom's Table

This morning we considered how the sacrificial love of Christ establishes the pattern for the husband’s love for his wife. And the meal spread before you this morning is the proclamation of this pattern. For here, under the forms of bread and wine we are confronted with the supreme demonstration of a husband’s love for his bride. The bride, of course, had been specially selected by the Father of the groom; created to be the glory of her husband. Yet, the Bride spurned His love, choosing instead to prostitute herself with other men. And though she warred against Him in the company of His enemies, the Bridegroom’s love for His Bride never wavered. Rather, He laid His life down for her that He might win her, making her His pure, spotless Bride. Beloved, such is Christ’s love for you, His Bride. He was not a husband who insisted upon His rights to your respect and affection. No, he emptied Himself by humbling coming to win you to Himself by His death on the cross for your sins. In time he called you to Himself and washed you by baptism in His name. And now He spreads this Table before that He might continue to transform you into His pure, spotless bride. I often mention the fact this Table is a foretaste of the great marriage feast that we will enjoy in the presence of God at the Last Day. Yet, this Table is more than that. It is also a means of preparation for that feast. For by eating and drinking at this Table we are making ourselves ready for the big day. It is as we come to this Table week after week, being washed/consecrated by the Word, that we come more fully to reflect the image and likeness of the Bridegroom and thus made ready to meet Him in the air. You are the Bride of Christ and this Table is spread for you. As you eat and drink you proclaim the sacrificial love of your Bridegroom until He comes for you.