The marriage supper of the Lamb
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
Read Revelation 19:6—10
If I ever get old and doddery and lose the edge of some of my drives, I really hope I don’t lose the fulfilment of the hunger drive. Good food. The smell of it. The artistry, the colour on the plate. The flavours. The satisfied stomach. And the conviviality of company at the table. The banquet. The party. The invitation, the goodness of being together, swapping stories and reaching after memories. This will not end! This itself, as I have known it, is the appetiser. It’s the pleasure I want more of, and Jesus promised there’ll be more, from the time he first ate with sinners to his prediction that he’ll eat in the kingdom of God.[1] I am invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Lamb of God, you have taken away my sin along with the sin of the world. You have purified me and you will glorify me. You have called me to walk in service with you. You promise yourself to me in greater fullness, in increased expectation, to the point where you yourself will provide the feast in the kingdom. Somehow it is you yourself who are the feast. As you give yourself now in the body and the blood of our communion, so you fill me with a trembling hope of more and more and more of you, and communion with your people at the renewal of all things.
[1] Mark 14:25