Friday, August 16, 2013

Inviting Others to the Table

“And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples — for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:15-16)

SupperAtEmmaus  I spent 20 years working in the addiction treatment and prevention field and did a great deal of public speaking to groups throughout the county where I worked. Parents would frequently ask me what steps they could take to keep their children drug free. Among my suggestions was to insure that they had regular family meals together. Family meals provide opportunities for ongoing, consistent conversations between parent and child and keeps parents involved in the daily activities of their children.

  My children are now adults and if you were to ask them their most memorable family moments sharing conversations around the dinner table on our deck in the summer would be at the top of the list. On a summer evening we would barbeque and share dinner on the deck and frequently would end up talking into the late evening hours.

  In scripture, banquets and feasts are prominent in sealing friendships and building relationships. The idea of hospitality runs deep in the thought of those in the Near East. Shared meals are a sign of community and acceptance. In the context of meals Jesus challenges our ideas about community. Jesus calls all disciples to be good neighbors, to be hospitable and welcoming. Jesus, both as guest and host of meals shares his reality of the kingdom of God. Jesus accepted and extended invitations regardless of social status.

  Even today, in the middle east, to invite a man or women to a meal is an honor. To share a common meal is an offer of peace, trust, brotherhood and forgiveness. Sharing a place at the table meant sharing life. In doing this Jesus shocked the concept of community and was criticized for it. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).

  In the middle East today, as in Jesus' day, a nobleman may feed any number of lesser needy persons as a sign of his generosity, but he does not eat with them. Jesus was criticized because he would actually engage “sinners and tax collectors,” into a social conversation, treating them with respect and honor. The inclusion of sinners in the community of salvation, achieved in table-fellowship, is the most meaningful expression of the message of the redeeming love of God.

  During and following a meal, there are opportunities for conversation, sharing stories and thoughts which develop lasting friendships. Jesus shared meals around a common table to share God’s word and describe the depth of love God has for us. In this context it makes sense that Jesus would use the meal as the setting for us to remember his death and resurrection in using the bread and wine in communion.

  While growing up in the church, my most memorable relationships first started as conversations around a meal shared together, generally during church suppers. When we invite someone to share a meal, we create together a bond, which leads to more lasting and enduring community and friendship.

  Jesus invites us to share in His presence by extending an invitation to share a place at his table, to partake of his food and drink. Let us remember that Christ came not only for our redemption, but for the redemption of our neighbors. We share in the joy of Christ's gospel best in fellowship when we take the time to invite others to our table. Jesus tells us there's always room.

He said also to the one who had invited him, 'When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'” (Luke 14:12-14)

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