Pull Up to the Table

Pull up to the table

Isn’t it great to sit down to dinner with friends?  Last week, the Rinaldi’s visited for a simple lunch at our home.  Two hours zipped by as we talked, laughed, remembered, and discussed the things of the Lord. Since ancient times, human beings who want to strengthen ties have made time to eat together.

Families grow stronger around a shared table. Kids who invited to sit at the family’s dinner table on a regular basis get better grades in school, are much less prone to get in trouble, and develop the skills needed to form the networks so necessary to success in life. Those children who regularly eat dinner with their parents are less likely to smoke, drink to excess, use illegal drugs, or suffer from depression. (Value of Family Table)  The real pay-off comes during the turbulence of the teen years when the habit of the family dinner becomes a kind of anchor. It’s the time to talk, the reconnection that occurs at the table, that makes the difference. Curiously, if parents attempt to establish the habit in the teen years when it is needed most, they will almost certainly fail. The habit must be formed from the toddler years.

Bev and I often take the opportunity on my day off to go to breakfast. We talk over our coffee and pancakes, just enjoying each other’s company, catching up. That hour with her is one of the happiest times of the week for me.

Christians are invited to a Table, too. Our Savior invited His disciples to the Passover table and then made it part of our faith. "He took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again." (1 Corinthians 11:24-26, NLT) For two millennia, Christians have shared the Holy Meal.

And, there is the fellowship of all Christians, that will find complete fulfillment at the Marriage Supper of heaven. Interesting, isn’t it, that God chooses the imagery of a celebratory meal to describe the eternal unity and love of the Church gathered in Heaven? "I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! The Marriage of the Lamb has come; his Wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’ ” He added, “These are the true words of God!”  (Revelation 19:6-9, The Message) What a dinner that will be! Can you imagine the stories that will told around that long, long table?  Stories of triumph, stories of grace. I’ll be there. How about you?

We’ll be sharing the Holy Meal at FDC this Sunday. You’re invited to the Table!

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Jesus has a table spread

Where the saints of God are fed,

He invites His chosen people,
“Come and dine!”

With His manna He doth feed

And supplies our every need:

O ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus
all the time!

Soon the Lamb will take His bride

To be ever at His side,

All the host of Heaven will assembled be;

O ’twill be a glorious sight,

All the saints in spotless white;

And with Jesus they will feast eternally.

“Come and dine,” the Master calleth,
“Come and dine!”

You may feast at Jesus’ table

all the time;

He Who fed the multitude,

turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now,

“Come and dine!”

-       Charles Widmeyer