Come to the Table

Don't we love moments that look like this?  Often-times, family dinners can be dramatic affairs--at least in my family! We are moody people.  But that cheesy saying "Together: A Great Place to Be" holds true, even in our imperfect moments together.  We find it all through Scripture, the Lord is all about being together--with us. The Trinity itself: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit show us God's communal nature.

Here we will read the words of Jesus spoken the day before He was crucified in Matthew 26. This was the Passover meal, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The disciples asked Jesus where He wanted them to make preparations for Him to eat the Passover. He responds and tells them where they are going to celebrate. Later, as they were eating, Jesus reclined at the table. After explaining Judas' impending betrayal, He moves on to something that has marked Christian practices since that night: 

The Lord's Supper.

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:26-30

I recognize that as a church, taking communion together, however often, is a solemn and precious moment of fellowship and worship to the Lord for His sacrifice. Together we confess and repent of our sins, then after trusting the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ, we worship Him in mutual love.

When I read these words of Scripture, I imagine that even better than taking communion once a week, once a month, or once a semester, maybe He's saying every day: as often as you eat. Remember that little thing of "praying together before the meal"? 

How many meals a week do we eat alone--are we really that busy?  With no question against the nutritional value, but only of the value of the time it saves, how much "fast-food" do you consume just because it's fast?  This is the culture I've been raised in, and as a young single adult, it's what I'm up against when it comes to seeking community.

I think we were meant to eat together, because He wanted us to remember His sacrifice together.

How often does Jesus want us to be in right relationship with Him?  All the time.

How often does Jesus want us to be in right relationship with our family, our roommates,  our co-workers--those we share meals with?  All the time.

When you take communion properly, you know that you're right with God. That's the point. We proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, and we accept it for ourselves as well. Do we take the time to think of Him in these moments, when our only goal is to eat quickly so we can keep working? I think He wants us to remember Him that often: morning, noon, and evening--in a group, as a unit that keeps nothing between friends. We should forgive each other that often, confess that often, and love and worship Jesus that often. He is our true sustenance, but not mine; ours. 

20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.
Matthew 18:20

"We cannot by ourselves give the world an illustration of the life of perfect fellowship that can and should result from our personal discipleship to Jesus Christ. No individual can do that; only a society can give an illustration of what human society ought to be; and it must be a society of Christian disciples; that is the Church." - via Evan Kahlich

"In the Bible, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit is not primarily 'me', but 'us'." - via Mark Shockley


That phrase "come to the table" has been resounding in my mind for a long while.  The Lord is preparing for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb... Will you come to the table?  You may be unashamed to join Him, if only you will exchange your rags for His robes.  It may only hurt a little, if you will allow Him to do this for you.  Come to the table of joyful hearts, of loving friendship, of life.  You are welcome here.  Come.  Freely, come.   And may we freely practice this communion in life, as we are in right relationship with God and with each other.

Come to the Table. 
Sit awhile. 
Laugh. 
Eat. 
Share a story or two.
Fall in love with the people around you.
And know you are mightily loved.