Have you ever considered what it means to eat a meal with someone? I mean even in the dating world according to Tom Hanks, you go out for coffee or drinks before you eat a meal with someone. The gravity of --I desire to spend time with you over food --holds a lot more weight than we realize. Did you know that in Australia, the term "Mate" is often used in relationships... but someone can only call another "Mate" if they have shared a meal together. SO why does this concept of eating together carry so much weight? Like what is the big deal? Truly, I am no expert... not even close. But I have a passion for Jesus and his Word and through that perhaps I have some insight on this matter.
I see that often people think of eating as either a way to nourish their bodies to go on living or the perspective that food is life. Personally, I am the girl that loves food. Maybe a little too much lol. When I have the honor of sharing a meal with another person whether over food or Boba… it reveals community, unity and joy as we behold Christ together in relationship. Abounding in love for one another with the food that has been provided for us. I think recently, I have been on this journey of appreciating things that I have taken for granted like family... friends... loved ones. Certain seasons call for specific things and often life pulls loved ones away from us through distance or even death. Through the passing of my grandpa, I shared so many meals with him and I am so grateful. Bless his heart. This week, my family and I drove to Yuma to visit my only living Grandpa. Grandpa Walt... as he was eating and chatting and laughing with us, he said "How sweet it is to share a meal with you." Love truly is a beautiful thing and it reflects the heart of God. I pray you don't miss it. I pray you aren't too busy to see the things that fly by right in front of you that could truly bring you closer to Jesus. Like sharing a meal with another. So simple but so profound.
Lately, I have been seeking God. And I have been thinking about His table. What it means to have a place at his table. That Jesus, the one who sacrificed everything so I can have unity with the Father... He has prepared a place for me. A place for you. A place for those in Christ. At His table.
On the road to Emmaus
"As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread."
~Luke 24:28-35
In this passage, Jesus entered their home. He was a guest. Yet, he was the one who took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it out. Jesus fulfilled the role of the host and the head of the table. And when he gave the bread out to the men, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. What did they see? What did they witness? I believe they saw his wounds. They saw the evidence of the cross on the risen Jesus.
And only when Jesus is at the head of the table, wounds are received, wounds are met, wounds are healed, wounds are redeemed because he first revealed his in glory.
In everyday life, it is so easy to have those "squirrel moments" and let the world tell us that we should be the head of our table. But I have found how much I struggle, strive and lose out on in life when I take the spot that was only meant to be filled by Jesus Christ. How foolish and naïve of me to think I could be Lord of my life and actually find true contentment/satisfaction. But when I truly decide to let go of everything, seek first His kingdom and allow myself to be seated at His table now and forever... what comes of it is indescribable. I am complete in him. My joy is full. I am patient in him. I see my waiting is worthy of Him as he gives me rest and strength all my days. My calling is fulfilled in him more than I think or imagine. I can love others as He does. I can serve others not out of insecurity, but of security because my identity is in Christ. He is the I am, always expanding my expectations. Being all I need in every season. Speaking newness of life in me. Breathing life in my lungs. Blowing my socks off as I decide to give him my life in surrender. Living like to live is Christ and to die is gain, Paul shows me that as long as Jesus is my core... I cannot lose ever. Even when life feels awful and I want to decide who I am and where I am going, I cannot lose in Christ. When Jesus sits at the head of the table that I am seated at, I am reminded of His abundance over my life everyday and the authority I have inherited in Christ.
When I sit at His table, I look around. Who is seated beside me? Who is not seated at this table? Friends, you and I and all in Christ have been given authority through Jesus. First, praise the Lord for those seated at His table... but if someone is not seated at this table, don't let it pass you by. Make room friends. Don't hide your light. Don't let it be like your popcorn in the movie theatre that you won't share cause you spent 20 bucks on it.
And however cliché it sounds, sharing is caring. Share your popcorn and share the Gospel for both have been provided not in your strength but by God alone. Share Jesus with those family members who drive you nuts, but you deep down love so much. That bagger in the grocery store. The homeless man on the street that holds that sign, you aren't even sure is legitimate. Or for that extremely insulting lady that yelled at me for not wearing a mask outside and kicked me out of the elevator. May they receive Jesus, may we pray that they see Jesus in all His glory and his power in their life. May he be personal to them. And may we never give up to see them come into the family of God. That they might sit next to us at his table.
As we persevere to see the impossible done, may we never forget, "the kingdom is anchored in abundance not in scarcity" (Kristi McClelland, COTC Franklin). And as you call down Heaven, remember who it is that you are speaking to. More than you think or imagine according to his power in you (Eph. 3:20). I pray we experience his fullness in our todays and in our tomorrows, as we pray and intercede for the salvation of our neighbors. And may you be reminded of how blessed you are to have your savior, who desires to share a meal with you and allow you to feast in His presence.
All my love,
Chloe <3
Comments