Exodus 24:8 “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” 9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 … they beheld God, and ate and drank.
Read Exodus 24:1-18
What is the oddest dinner party you have been to? Homeshot pheasant with an odd sauce made of Branston pickle and mayo? Strange dinner guests? Dinner parties can be a bore. Dinner parties can be extremely fun. It all depends on the company. It all depends on the food. What is the most enjoyable dinner party you have ever been to?
Here we find the best dinner party ever. It is dinner with God. Moses and the elders of Israel go up Mount Sinai and have go to a dinner party with God. The previous four chapters we have seen a mountain of fire and smoke. The people of Israel have been struck by the holiness of God – God’s otherness. Here we find a God who, though holy, is approachable.
Looking at nature we may find that there is a Creator, but natural revelation alone cannot tell us of an approachable God. Where do we get the idea of a God of love? Moses gives us the answer. It is the blood of the covenant. God pays the price grant us entrance into his banquet. He pays with his own life blood.
We can hear the invitation to dinner as Jesus says, “Take, eat; this is my body. Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:26–29)
Every time you celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Remember it God reaffirming his oath of loyalty to you in blood. Jesus pays the steepest price to invite us to his banquet. Asy you take communion reaffirm your covenant with Him.
This week as eat, remember. You are invited to the greatest banquet ever. A banquet of eternal fellowship.