Grace Upon Grace

Come to the Table

When I was growing up, my parents practiced an endearing habit.  When my dad arrived home from work at 4:00 pm, Mom would immediately stop what she was doing and greet Dad with a kiss.  Then my parents would grab a beverage and sit down at the kitchen table together.  The table was their meeting place.  They would take a half hour to pause from the busyness of their day, to rest and reconnect with each other.  As a matter of fact, the table is a symbol of gathering and connectedness throughout the world. Consequently, when we read God’s Word, we often find the invitation to come to the table.

The Invitation 

In the Old Testament story of Ruth, Ruth was invited to the table of fellow harvesters.  What’s amazing about this invitation is that the request was extended to a woman, who was a foreigner and a widow.  Ruth’s position was seen as even lower than a slave.  Yet she was asked to come to the table, where she received food in abundance.

Ruth 2:14 says, And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.”  So, she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain.  And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over.

We find another invitation to come to the table in Psalms 23:5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

The Table is a Place of Honor and Abundance

The table is a place of honor where we receive food in abundance.  What I find interesting about the above two examples, is that the table doesn’t include just our best friends or favorite people.  In fact, we are often seated with our enemies!  What are they doing there?  Technically, none of us are worthy of being an honored guest before a holy God; yet God still extends the invitation.  He loves us and recognizes our dignity and worth.  

The invitation to come to the table isn’t just an Old Testament occurrence.  In Matthew 26, we find Jesus inviting us to His table. Now, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  Matthew 26:26-28

The Ultimate Invitation

Amazingly, the ultimate dinner banquet is found in Revelation 19:9.  In fact it is a marriage supper with the Lamb of God.  And the angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'”

Numerous times you and I have been invited to come to the Lord’s table.  Do you hear the invitation?  Have you responded to the invitation with gladness and anticipation? This is a celebration that you don’t want to miss!

Come to the table!

Dear Abba, Father, you are the ultimate host, and I don’t want to miss your invitation to come.  May I be ready and eager to come as your honored guest and receive all that you freely give. 

Questions to Consider:

1. What is your response to God’s invitation to come to his table?
2. Why do you think that God is choosing you as an honored guest?