Growing up "country" meant our closest neighbors were not next door but up and down the road. Sometimes, there were miles between houses. Our guests who came made an effort to be there. Part of country manners was to invite them in to the kitchen table, to offer refreshment and perhaps a sweet treat. There was always room at the table.Case and Gladys Corbin... or the Peters and Henrichs families in the other direction... hospitality is the way of rural people. I am so grateful for that legacy of farm life that has taught me so much about really living. An important element was and still is the kitchen table in country life.
To be invited to someone's table is the greatest of welcomes. It should never be taken for granted. Jesus often ate with the people in his path. He was invited to their homes, or in Zacchaeus case... Jesus told him that he would be at his house for dinner. Now, Mama Ina Mae always said inviting yourself to someone's else's home was poor manners, you had to wait to be asked. For Zacchaeus, he was so friendless, it would have never occurred to him that Jesus would be interested in his invitation. He led a messy, shameful little life of tax collecting.
How often do we assume that we are unwanted and unworthy? We feel less than others. If we aren't left out, we put up walls, pull back and avoid real relationships. We are called to Christ's table. Zacchaeus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well were equally precious in his sight, and so are each one of us.
"Don't settle for the crumbs of comparison when God has invited you to his table." -Lisa Bevere
Sidewalk Prophet have a song called "Come To The Table." Earworm started singing it as soon as I began this post. (He gets excited.) I love the verses as much as the chorus.
"We all start on the outside
The outside looking in
This is where grace begins
We were hungry, we were thirsty
With nothing left to give
Oh the shape that we were in
Just when all hope seemed lost
Love opened the door for us"
He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior now
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table"
The second verse is even better. You can hear the whole song here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U
Together as believers, we make a motley crew, but he loves each one of us enough to take our place on a cross to cover our sin debt. He longs for us to come to the table.
Jesus was in demand by everyone. From the ones who longed for his healing touch, to those who wanted to corner him and convict him of blasphemy. And Jesus chooses the table of an unpopular, dishonest tax collector as his home of destination for the evening. .
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” -Luke 19:5
I adore the sense of urgency in Jesus. Perhaps, he knew Zacchaeus was ready to come to the table. Don't settle for crumbs when God has invited you to his table.
Today, I am grateful for the table.
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