Lessons from the Table

THE TABLE is known for meals, so when people invite you to their table, you hold a special place in their hearts.

Jonathan held a special place in David's heart, and when he died, King David remembered him.

He asked, “Is there no longer anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show the goodness and graciousness of God?”

And when they brought Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, to him, the king said, “Do not be afraid, for I will certainly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall always eat at my table. (2 Samuel 9:1-17)

THE TABLE is a place of restoration.

Jesus was passing through Jericho when a chief tax collector approached him, but the tax collector couldn't see Jesus because the tax collector was short in stature. So, he climbed a sycamore-fig tree.

And when Jesus saw him, he said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

THE TABLE is a place of expression, so God can make an impression.

When Jesus accepted the invitation to a prestigious dinner, he was prepared to address hot topics.

As he sat at the table, an uninvited guest quietly slipped in and chose an unusual place to sit.

She sat at his feet, wept, and wet his feet with her tears, then wiped them with her hair. She kissed them and poured perfume on them—she was in a low place.

When you're in a low place, to whom do you go? Do you keep it to yourself or reach out to God?

The Pharisee who invited him said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a notorious sinner, an outcast, devoted to sin.” (Luke 7:36-39)

However, Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:49)

When Jesus forgave her sins, he was gracious to her. Jesus left a godly impression on her.

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The table is a place of expression, so God can make an impression.

THE TABLE is a place of surplus.

The people learnt where Jesus was, so they came to him.

Later, his disciples wanted him to send the people away so they could go to the surrounding villages and countryside to get food. But Jesus told them to give the multitude something to eat.

We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people.

Jesus looked up to heaven, he gave thanks and blessed what they had. He broke them and kept giving the disciples to set before the crowd. (Luke 9:10-17)

THE TABLE is a place of revelation.

Jesus entered a village called Bethany, where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. (Luke 10:38-42)

She had a sister named Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was busy and distracted with the serving responsibilities.

Martha approached Jesus and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”

But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”

Mary had chosen fellowship. When you sit with him at the table, you'll begin to see things that you would not naturally see.

The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

THE TABLE is the place of remembrance, fellowship and connection.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread, broke it and gave thanks.

Then he said, “This is (represents) My body, which is [offered as a sacrifice] for you. Do this in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.”

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are [symbolically] proclaiming [the fact of] the Lord’s death until He comes [again]. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

The table is where God meets with you.

I don't know where you are in your life walk. Wherever you are, God is calling you to the table.

Final Thought

IF I FIND in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable experience is that I was made for another world — C. S. Lewis.