My dear congregation,
“None shall appear before me empty.”
“Wait, I thought we bring nothing?”
Don’t interpret these words as payment. What Israel brought to the feast was all of God. David prayed rightly, “All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14).
Israel brought back what grace had given.
This protects the feast from becoming a transaction. Admission is not for sale. He had already redeemed Israel from Egypt. Their offerings belonged to the life which redemption had purchased.
Still, the Lord would have no one come empty-handed. He would not allow His people to remember redemption, without some praise upon their lips.
Dear communicant, we have the greater Passover, “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast” (1 Cor. 5:7,8). Our bondage was greater than Egypt, our enemy stronger than Pharaoh. Our passover required the blood of the Lamb of God.
What shall we bring?
Of course, we bring nothing. Faith buys without money and without price (Isa. 55:1). It looks as hunger looks on food, as thirst looks to water, as guilt looks to redeeming blood. Our hands are not empty. They are full of the righteousness of Christ. Perish the thought that your tears, feelings, or preparations purchase your place at the Table.
Still: “None shall appear before me empty.”
Our approach to the Supper is often so occupied with receiving, that we hardly ask, “what I shall render to the Lord?” Jesus gave Himself to His people; shall we not give ourselves again to Him? The Table receives no payments, but their is a beautiful exchange. Adoration. Love. Thanksgiving.
The bread and wine assure us of this. The bread says that His body was broken. The cup says that His blood was shed. What shall we bring? Bring your body, which Paul calls “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
Perhaps you say, “I have nothing worthy of Him.”
The widow’s two mites were nearly nothing, yet Jesus saw her whole heart in them. The priceless thing was hidden inside the small thing. So it may be with a trembling one. Faltering, diminishing, without fanfare, saying “Lord, I am Thine.”
This is the final work of preparation.
Dear soul, Come without price, worth, or rival confidence.
Come bearing what His grace has given you. Show Him with thanksgiving, dear one.
“None shall appear before me empty.”
The Table is spread with the gift of Christ. Let there also be, hidden beneath the tablecloth, the gift of love to Christ.
Your friend and pastor,
J. Lewis
God's unspeakable gift, His only begotten Son. Glorious in every respect and so worthy of our love and undying devotion. To Him belongs praise and thanksgiving forever.