In a day and age when many do not know who they are or whose they are, we come to a table that reminds us of both. This is the table of the Lord. And those who eat and drink here are members of his body and belong to him. 

The Heidelberg Catechism says that by church discipline the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and shut to unbelievers. It goes on to explain that this church discipline involves the sacraments, particularly withholding the sacraments from those who rebel against our Lord.

It follows that those of you who come to partake of this table are members of the kingdom of heaven. As the wardrobe opened Narnia to the Pevensie children so this table opens the kingdom of heaven to you. 

So come joyfully. Be done with your doubts and fears about who you are and whose you are. Be done with your laughable worries about whether you are in or out. You’re a blood-bought child of the King. You are in. That is why Jesus says to you at this table, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

Since you are in the kingdom of heaven, you all must live as members of the kingdom of heaven. So as you come to this table, putting away your doubts and fears, put away your sins as well, your pride, self-confidence, lusts, envy, bitterness, slander, money-loving, and selfishness. You are not coming to a natural table. You’re coming to the table that opens the kingdom of heaven to believers and closes that kingdom to unbelievers. So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.