There are all sorts of things that can trouble us. Paul said he was “troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears” (2 Corinthians 7:5). But this trouble does not only come upon us as individuals. Trouble comes upon the one bride of Christ, the body of the Lord Jesus, and we are that body. Sin doesn’t only churn up the otherwise clear waters of your mind and your sense of well-being. It also troubles our unity.

You have seen these snarls, and not only at a distance. You can recall times of great peace with other saints. But you can also recall the discord that arose when people coveted but did not obtain their heart’s desire. You can find Christians falling into quarrels in every season. And these divisions can come quickly. Proverbs 17:14 says, “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” 

One of the chief ways we leave off contention is by coming to this table together. We come to one bread as one bread. We come to partake of one body for we are one body. Before His departure, Christ said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). That peace is manifest here. Christ made peace, reconciling us to Himself and reconciling us to one another. He made this peace by the blood of His cross. We drink that cup of peace now. We take His body which was broken for us so that all of our fractures would be healed. So as you come to this table, come receiving the peace of God. Come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.