In these words, the believer is invited into holy nearness to Jesus. "Come and dine"—think about that! The same table, the same meat; yes, and sometimes it means to sit side by side and lean our head upon the Savior's bosom. It is being brought into the banqueting house, where waves the banner of redeeming love.

"Come and dine" gives us a vision of union with Jesus, because the only food we can feast upon when we dine with Jesus is himself. Oh, what union is this! It is a depth which reason cannot fathom—that we thus feed upon Jesus. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them."

It is also an invitation to enjoy fellowship with the saints. Christians may differ on a hundred points, but they all have one spiritual appetite. And if we cannot all feel alike, we can all feed alike on the bread of life sent down from heaven. At the table of fellowship with Jesus, we are one bread and one cup. As the loving cup goes round, we pledge one another heartily.

Get nearer to Jesus, and you will find yourself linked more and more in spirit to all who are like yourself, supported by the same heavenly manna. If we were nearer to Jesus, we would be nearer to one another.

We likewise see in these words the source of strength for every Christian. To look at Christ is to live, but for strength to serve him you must "come and dine." We labor under much unnecessary weakness because we neglect this command of the Master. Listen! None of us needs to put ourselves on low diet. On the contrary, we should fatten on the marrow and fatness of the gospel that we may accumulate strength and urge every power to its full tension in the Master's service.

Thus, then, if you would realize nearness to Jesus, union with Jesus, love to his people, and strength from Jesus—"come and dine" with him by faith.