A Place at the Table
Luke 22:1-29
Today we come to celebrate at the table of Communion. The table laid before us calls us to a time a solemn communion with God. Questions arise as we come to this table today. Why do we do this? What does it really mean? What does a 1st century custom have to do with me as I live in the 21st century? Why is this table important to me?
The answers to those questions are found as we find our place at the table.
It was the night of the Passover – Jerusalem was teeming with people come to celebrate the feast. Jesus gathers his disciples in a quiet upper room around a table to share with them in what He knew would be the last night of their ministry together before the cross. He gathers them in a quiet upper room around a table.
This table laid with the celebration of the Passover would take on new significance this night. Centuries before the table had been instituted to remind Israel of God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt. This night it would take on new meaning as Jesus invited His disciples to:
1)A Table of Intimacy – On this night in Jerusalem Jesus called His disciples – his friends – together to share time with them. John says He called them because He loved His own and He loved them to the end. Jesus doesn’t complete His 3 year ministry with a grand and glorious parade through the streets of Jerusalem. He doesn’t bring it to a close with a great open air crusade. He calls together His closest friends and in a moment of vulnerability and openness He shares a quiet meal with them, one full of meaning and tense anticipation. This night is a night of intimacy a night to share with the ones He loves and has given His life to teach.
The Poser – Peter – who thinks he has the world by the tail – who in his own heart doesn’t realize how deeply he needs to be here.
The Pious – Thomas, James, Matthew and the rest who find in this moment of intimacy a reason to argue over who’s the greatest among them.
The Seeker – John –Who knows that there has to be more to the story. Who can’t quite get close enough to Jesus on this fateful night. He wants to hear his heart beating and his whispered thoughts.
The Broken – Judas – who in his sinfulness misses the meaning all together.
2)A Table of Change – This would be the last Passover looking in anticipation for the coming of Messiah. This would be the last Passover celebrating an Old Covenant sealed in the blood of animals sacrificed on an altar. The Lamb would take on new meaning as Jesus becomes the spotless Lamb of God. The bread would take on new meaning as Christ becomes the bread of life. The wine would take on new meaning as the blood of Christ is shed for the sins of His creation. Rather than representing the challenges of the past this table would come to represent the hope of our future.
3)A Table of Challenge – to live this message they have heard. Jesus arises from the table and takes the place of the servant – He girds Himself with a towel and begins to wash the disciple’s feet. A job that any one of them should have done already but they simply were too proud. Jesus challenges them “if I the Teacher washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet.” This is not a challenge to wash dirty feet it’s a challenge to live what they believe. To live what He has taught them. In fact to live like Him.
Around the table sit the faces of men just like you and I – we see:
The Poser – Peter – who thinks he has the world by the tail – who in his own heart doesn’t realize how deeply he needs to be here.
The Pious – Thomas, James, Matthew and the rest who find in this moment of intimacy a reason to argue over who’s the greatest among them.
The Seeker – John –Who knows that there has to be more to the story. Who can’t quite get close enough to Jesus on this fateful night. He wants to hear his heart beating and his whispered thoughts.
The Broken – Judas – who in his sinfulness misses the meaning all together.
In the faces of these men I find the hope that I belong here at this table. That today – I have been invited to take a place at the table –
To share in the intimacy of this moment – to hear the beating heart of God – not as one of the masses but as the only one in the room.
To share in the challenge – to live what I believe – to become a better man – to follow Jesus until my journey is done.
To share in the Change – to find new life, new meaning, new hope in the journey of following Christ.
In truth to find my place at the table.