Around The Table
I grew up in with a family of five kids and two parents. I guess feeding that bunch was like preparing for a fellowship meal at church. My Mom always managed to pull it off with lots of vegetables that were home grown as well as meat for the major source of protein. We had a good-sized table we gathered around. I’ve noticed that over the years we’ve had some great fellowship around the table during and after a big meal. One of our gatherings happens at the Thanksgiving holiday every year. I always look forward to family gatherings around the table.
I know that the Lord gave His people several meals/feasts to remember certain elements of their journey out of Egypt and simply walking with the Lord. I think that there was a special theme with these special meals. After Moses had described all of these feasts with their specific purpose and instructions, he summarizes. Check this out…
37 (‘“These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the Lord – the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. 38 These offerings are in addition to those for the Lord’s Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the Lord.) (Leviticus 23:37-38 NIV)
Since I’ve had my own family for almost 30 years, there are some special meals we’ve celebrated. I’ve noticed that sometimes we have the best discussions when sitting around the table after a meal. I’ve even said, Let’s go to the living room where it’s more comfortable to sit and visit. Almost without fail, the conversations don’t keep vibrant – it may have something to do with us old people taking naps. It’s hard to fall asleep at the table even after a big meal!
Fast Forward from the Old Testament Feasts to the Lord’s Supper which is also known as The Last Supper. Jesus decides to make His final time with His disciples a special meal. He’s actually celebrating one of the feasts mentioned in the Old Testament –the Passover. This is the feast that celebrates the Israelites deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Jesus institutes a new “feast” of sorts to celebrate our deliverance from the slavery of sin. I love celebrating this occasion because it’s a tangible reminder to me of the costs of grace that is in me, and through me and all over me. This grace came with a high price to God – the death of His Son. I need to have deep tangible celebrations with the Lord as my feet are under His table. He invites me there and He hangs out with me there. He speaks into me and I speak words of gratitude to Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne