We are told that the Word (John 1:1) was made flesh and dwelt among us, and he was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Beholding him, as such, was beholding the glory of the invisible God. At the same time that Jesus (the Word) was in the flesh, he was the Light of men, shinning out of darkness (flesh). Nevertheless, men, who are obviously in flesh (darkness) were unable to understand Jesus’ fullness (John 1:4-5), until his flesh was removed at the cross, and we beheld him, leaving our world via his resurrection and ascension (cp. Exodus 33:17-23). Therefore, since Pentecost, we have received out of his fullness grace for (his) grace. (cp. John 1:16).[1]
In other words, Christ is the store of all we need (Ephesians 1:3). We are blessed with him who is blessed forever (Romans 9:5). There is nothing we need that can be found outside of Christ, for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 1:19; 2:9), and in or through Christ, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing that we need (Colossians 2:3, 10; cp. Ephesians 1:3; John 1:16). How should this be understood in a more practical context?
The Lord made man in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and laid a table before him (Genesis 2:7-8, 15; cp. Psalm 23:1-6) of which he could freely eat (Genesis 2:16), and whereby he would grow in that image and in fellowship with God. Nevertheless, man could refuse the table of the Lord and choose for himself, but in doing so, he would break fellowship with God and die (spiritually). Man chose the latter (Romans 5:12; cp. Genesis 3), and man was without fellowship with God and driven from his presence, because he refused the table of the Lord and desired to choose for himself what was good and what was not. So, spiritual death reigned from Adam to Moses even over those who weren’t as guilty as Adam in choosing as they did (Romans 5:14), for they were unaware of the gravity of their choices. Therefore, the Law was given by Moses (John 1:17), but not for the reason assumed by man. The Law was never meant to make a man righteous or correct what was done by Adam in Eden. Rather, the Law was given so that men could understand the gravity of their situation and see sin and rebellion for what they are (Romans 5:20).
Therefore, man’s broken fellowship with God (Genesis 3) could not be corrected, until the Word, vis-à-vis God (John 1:1), came out of heaven and became flesh (John 1:14), in order to show mankind what unbroken fellowship with God looked like. He was the true Image of God (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, grace and truth came by Jesus (John 1:17), in that he was come to restore peace between God and man (who was in rebellion). Jesus came to restore the image of God (Genesis 1:27) by bringing man back into fellowship with his Creator. As a whole, however, mankind, behaving in the image of Adam, continued their rebellion against the Word, who had become flesh (Jesus), and persisted in refusing his table (John 6:33, 35, 51; cp. John 1:11-12; Romans 5:17-19), believing that they knew better what was good or not good for themselves (Genesis 2:16-17; cp. John 3:19).
Thus, since no man has ever actually seen God, vis-à-vis understood him in his integrity and majesty, the Only Begotten Son, who dwells in the bosom of the Father (1John 1:5; cp. 1Timothy 6:15-16), has openly declared him by becoming flesh (John 1:14), dwelling with men and giving us an example to follow (John 13:13-15). Thus, the express Image of God (Hebrews 1:3) is fully seen and understood in the example Jesus left behind (cp. Exodus 33:17-23; 34:6-7), and we, beholding that Image are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of God (2Corinthians 3:18). Thus, peace is made by men with God through Christ restoring our fellowship. Fellowship is renewed in that we once more receive the table, which the Lord has set before us (Genesis 2:16; Psalm 23:1-6), and this Table is Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:33, 35, 51; cp. Hebrews 1:3).
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[1] John 1:15 speaks of the Baptizer and is parenthetical. I will address this when we come to verse-19.
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4 responses to “Embracing the Table of the Lord”
So much more to this walk than just walking down to the altar and saying the sinner’s prayer! This study really brings that point home. Reminds me of how inadequate we are in the flesh. Since we moved across the country, now in Virginia, I have yet to find a fellowship to participate in. That is my doing however as I contemplate ‘what is the church’?
Greetings Dave, and thanks for commenting. Lord bless you.
I didn’t know you moved to the east coast. Welcome! I understand your dilemma as you look or consider looking for a church. I am nearly three years in my new home and have yet to go seeking. It was a great priority of mine when I originally moved, and had several churches in mind to visit, once I was settled. Covid-19 caused me to wait longer. Some churches weren’t even open during the first year. In fact, the church I left met at a local drive-in for a full year, staying in their cars. The sermon was delivered over the wires to the speaker alongside the cars. Yet, personally, as I waited, the sense of priority grew less and less. I began helping folks in need with the funds I would have given as an offering. I found great blessing in this kind of giving. I wondered what church-life would be like. Who would be comfortable enough with me to permit me to teach? The theatrical approach to church life, sitting in the audience and listening, doesn’t appeal to me, as it did when I was young, eagerly taking notes. I don’t say I’ll never return, but I can’t say I shall either.
I was always confused with the mention of the Lord’s table in 1Corinthians 10:21. It seemed so out of context, and what would such a mention mean for me today, because I’m certainly not tempted to visit the local Hindi places of worship or those of my Islamic neighbors. So, I merely tabled the mention for another day. It wasn’t until my study of Ecclesiastes that I realized it had to do with life’s experiences that the Lord brings my way every day. How do I partake of it? Do I complain? Do I curse the things I must “eat” or experience? Or, do I accept it all as from the Lord, as Jesus did, and live to the glory of God. It was an ‘eye-opening’ understanding that challenges me as much or more than anything else the Lord has taught me.
Lord bless you, Dave, on your journey with him.
Thank you for opening your heart in your reply. Interesting that I have also found that there are charities and such that we are giving to other than the church (most you would approve of, one you might not!) But I find it gratifying to assist others and doing the things the church should be doing. I am a supporter of Samaritan’s Purse as they actively involve themselves with relief efforts. I also support tunnel to towers and other such causes. Like you I find lots to dislike in the modern church. Formulaic ministries and formulaic evangelism are two at the top of my list.
Many of my county folk ancestors held weekly ‘meetings’ in their homes. As these were described to me it seems that this is closer to the New Testament church model.
I thought it might be encouraging for you. We often doubt ourselves when we are doing something new. ‘Is this the Lord’s will, or am I backsliding?’ Although I am comfortable with what I’m doing now, there were times in my life that I wondered about new things. So, maybe it helps to know someone else is doing the same thing, or maybe not. But, there it is. :-)
I’m more interested in folks I see, not to the exclusion of giving to charitable organizations, but I’ve been duped in the past, so the lion’s share goes to folks I see. I don’t say this to cause you to doubt what you’re doing. I’m just showing the variety of the Spirit’s movement in his people. By the way, unless your speaking of an organization like the NRA, I’d probably approve, not that that means much, but you brought the subject up! :-)
Christians in the first century AD didn’t have organizations to support. They supported one another as needs were known, they supported people like Paul in the labor of the Gospel, they also supported his efforts to help the poor Jews in Judea and Galilee (especially during Sabbatical years), and they supported pagan neighbors in need in the name of Christ. So, the emphasis was on the poor, and since Paul worked to support his own ministry, monetary support remained mainly for those in need. I’m uncertain if that’s an example that should be imitated today, but it is the one I’m following at present.
Lord bless you, Dave.