The family table has always had both symbolic and real significance. It has represented a place of love and hospitality. It is no accident that the table has significance in Scripture as well. It was at a table where Old Testament sacrifices took place. It was at a table where Jesus sat with sinners. It was at a table where Jesus ate his final meal with his disciples. It will be at a table where the wedding feast of the Lamb will commence. So whether it is at your house, a family gathering, or in spiritual terms, the gathering at the table matters, especially who is sitting at your table.
The Gospel of Luke speaks of a wonderful moment in chapter 24 when Jesus shows up and sits down at a table with those he sought. On the road to Emmaus, we see two followers walking and lamenting over the events of the past hours. It is at this moment that Jesus comes close to them and sits at their table. We see a beautiful picture of Jesus’ pursuit, purpose, and peace for those he loves.
It is important that we realize that Jesus is the honored guest at the table. In fact, the entire table is all about Jesus and belongs to Jesus. Psalm 23 reminds us that He “prepares a table for us.” Jesus loves to arrive within our current circumstances—clean and messy—and take a seat at the table of our lives. He prepares every conversation and every meal so that we can taste and see that He is good (Psalm 34:8). In Luke 24:30, as Jesus sat at the table, “he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.” This is the table Jesus prepares for us. It is one in which he provides for us, and he gives us sight to see his perfect beauty and all-encompassing love. Furthermore, it is fascinating to see that the word “table” in the Greek is the word Trapeza, from which the Latin word Tabula—tablet—derives. It is on this table or this tablet that we witness these followers receiving the bread of life, the living Word—Jesus, as John 1:14 tells us: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We need to realize that the eternal host sits at the table and invites us to sit and rest in all that he has prepared for us.
As we recline at his table, we need to know that we are the beloved guest of the Savior. Luke 24:31-32 speaks to the moment that the disciples’ eyes were opened, and they realized the yearning of their hearts:
“And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him… Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road…”
Luke 24:31-32 (ESV)
The question for all of us: what are we seeing and for whom are our hearts burning? Our prayer to our honored guest should be one asking to help us truly see that which honors him, as well as to set our hearts ablaze for the things that bring him glory. This starts by us surrendering our status as table host of our own lives and allowing Jesus full reign as our good and perfect father.
Let’s think again about all the wonderful things that make us look forward to sitting down to our place at the table—tasty food, meaningful conversations, sense of belonging, that feeling of peace. As wonderful as those are, I pray our hearts yearn to sit close to our Savior at the spiritual table he has prepared for us. Jesus is the good and perfect host. He desires a relationship with us. Pull up a chair and feast on his beauty, for he is the bread that was broken for us and the cup that was poured out.
Bee-Attitude
Blessed are you who feast on the goodness of the Lord, for you will never hunger.
Allen Smith
Allen is the young adult pastor at First Baptist Church of Barnesville. He is a graduate of Gordon College and Mercer University. He is married to Jill, and they have two wonderful daughters. Allen gets the opportunity each week to lead an amazing group of young adults. Their young adult worship gatherings take place on Thursday evenings at 7:30 at the FBC Student/Young Adult building.
