This communion meditation was given at King’s Cross Church (Moscow, ID) on January 8, AD 2023.

Christmas has come to a close and we have now entered into the season of Epiphany, which recalls the visit of the Wise Men to our Lord, and is a celebration of Christ’s manifestation to the Gentiles. 

This inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s covenant community is prophesied throughout the Old Testament. 

One such passage is from the Prophet Malachi, where we read, “For from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering” (Mal. 1:11). 

What is interesting about this wonderful promise of a pure offering among the nations is that it was one of the most frequently cited passages by the early Church when discussing the Lord’s Supper.

In Malachi’s day, the people of God who had returned from exile had profaned the Lord’s temple, despised his table, and corrupted the priesthood.  So much so that the Lord rejected their offerings, saying, “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!” (Mal. 1:10). 

Now in the New Covenant, Christ is our final and perfect sacrifice, He is the True temple, and His table before us is pure.

It is pure not only because Christ is present, but because He has renewed people from every tribe and tongue to be a holy priesthood before Him. And in His Spirit, we offer up sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving unto God, acknowledging the greatness of His Name. 

So, with the saints among the nations this Lord’s Day, come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.