Table Fellowship

Opening Prayer

Let’s open with prayer. If you have a prayer concern, just offer it up out loud in this space. It can be a situation, a need, a family member or friend. When I sense we are finished I will close out our prayer.

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Introduction

Intro series: Seven Practices that Shape Us...

The practice I want to talk about this morning I call Table Fellowship, but I could as easily call it the practice of slowing down. In 2010 I had the amazing experience of walking Hadrian’s Wall Path in Northern England with my son and good friends (Pic 1). One advantage of a walking vacation is that it forces you to slow down. We moved at a 3 mph pace or less for 5 days. And when you go that slow, you really see things. Its just not the same as zipping down the interstate at 80 mph where the only thing very stationary is the far-off horizon. Of course, the facilities on a walking vacation can be somewhat rustic (Pic 2). But walking - going at Godspeed - allows you to truly embody a place like nothing else. It also can make you very tired (Pic 3).

Walking allowed us to experience one of the greatest memories and best meals we had the entire trip. We had arrived for the night in Hexham - the home of Mr. Bean. We set out from our lodging looking for some place to eat. As we wandered the streets of town our noses began to pick us these amazing scents. We literally followed our nose to this very popular Indian restaurant. Indian food is to England what Mexican food is to America. They love it. The place was packed, but it just so happened that there had been a cancellation and he had one table that could accommodate us, all the way in the back by the door to the kitchen. We had a fantastic, slow meal where we laughed, reviewed the highlights of our trip so far, and enjoyed amazing food.

We were just finishing up when I looked up and saw 5 police officers in full tactical gear and AR-15s walking toward us. There was another up front talking to the owner, and two more holding positions outside on the street. They walked past us and into the kitchen. A few minutes later one comes out and knocks on the doors beside us that leads to the alley. It opens and I see more gun toting police and a police van for carrying prisoners. They proceeded to march all the kitchen staff out and load them in the van. Then it dawned on us - this is a string operation rounding up undocumented aliens!

Well, they finished hauling everyone off, and the restaurant became very silent. Then one man who had only been seated said out loud what I think everyone else must have been thinking: “What the hell are we supposed to do now?” We laughed, paid our bill, and left. The point of the story - if there is one - is that we had this profound experience in the context of being gathered around a table. Where we slowed down and attended to those gathered around it.

Have you every noticed how much of Jesus’ ministry was in the context of table fellowship? One count I found - not counting duplicates or any of the Last Supper - was that at least 14 of the major dialogues in the gospels are in the context of a meal shared with others. So this morning I want to talk about the power of the table. This table we gather at here each week for sure, but also the tables we gather at in our homes and restaurants. Is it possible that Jesus wants to be present in those places with us in the same way he is present here at this table? I say yes, and at tables we can learn to be present to him and to others that open up incredible movements of the HS in our lives.

Context

I could have chose numerous examples of Jesus being at a table, but I kept being drawn to the story we heard this morning. To give some context, Jesus’ ministry was now at a high point. He was well-known, and well-liked by the masses, but distrusted by the elites. In fact, we read that about this time the chief priests and scribes are openly plotting to kill him.

Jesus is just days from enduring the great trial of the cross. So isn’t it interesting, and instructive, how he chooses to spending his last hours. At meals with friends. Not preaching to the crowds. Not doing more miracles. Not trying to convince more people that he is their Messiah. These are all good and necessary things he did, but I’m convinced that Jesus only revealed his true self at these moments of intimate meals. I’m equally convinced that he still reveals his true self at our tables gathered with friends. This does not lessen the importance of public worship gatherings, hearing Scripture read and taught, or receiving Communion. Jesus reveals himself here as well. But there is, I think, a special grace that happens when we gather in intimate settings around a common table. Not in the big and flashy moments, but in the slow ferment of a fellowship meal.

What is the Spirit of God doing, or what does he want to do, as we gather slowly at Table Fellowships? How is the presence of Jesus made known to us? And how does this practice shape us to be more like him?

Table fellowships offer genuine welcome

Do you know what I notice right off the bat? Everyone is welcome here. Look at the diversity. We have Simon known as the leper. Leprosy was a generic name for many skin diseases. Obviously, his was seen as not dangerous to public safety since he had a home in the city, but yet this label of leper remained making me wonder if he still wasn’t something of a social outcast. Yet, Jesus seemed to enjoy eating with people no one else wanted to be with. Remember Zaccheus?

Then there “a woman” who did what appeared to be a very reckless thing, pouring some very expensive ointment on Jesus head. That Jesus allowed a woman who was not his wife to be this familiar with him was also a social taboo, but Jesus welcomed her attention as well. In fact, Jesus showed that people of opposite sex could have meaning friendship and fellowship that didn’t have to devolve into a sexual relationship.

Of course, the disciples are all here, which are a diverse group by themselves. One one end of the spectrum you have Matthew the former tax collector, and at the other end you have Simon the Zealot. One openly colluded with Rome, the other openly sought to overthrow it. But Jesus welcomed those from completely different worldviews to lay down their ideologies and join him at the table.

Throughout his ministry Jesus ate with desirables and undesirables (at least in the world’s eyes). But they were all desirable to him. ALL were welcome. At tables we can gather with those who aren’t like us, welcoming one another in the realization that what binds us together is far greater than anything that divides us. Table fellowship becomes a safe place where we welcome the HS and each other to be present to what Jesus is doing among us.

Table fellowships are places of grace

Another thing I noticed, and I somehow think this is important, is that Jesus was always a guest at these gatherings. He didn’t own his own home, he didn’t have his own table. He always came as an invited guest. And this sets a certain dynamic at the table. They were places where no one dominated. Everyone was heard. Everyone submitted to the other in mutual submission.

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, comes to the table, not in a position of power - which is his right - but in a position of humble presences. This is how God works among us, not through force or coercion, but through a posture of gentleness and service. In worship gatherings I am sometimes blown away with the grandeur and power of God - and we should be! But at tables he comes to us differently, in humility. He comes with power under us instead of over us, and in so doing he removes our defenses and allows us the safety of vulnerability.

How Jesus comes should not be ignored. Jesus accommodates himself to us. I don’t mean that he ignores sin or doesn’t think it’s serious. What I mean is that, by necessity, he must adapt himself to us in order to be with us. He meets us where we are so that he can lift us to where he is.

Jesus still desires to come to us in these ways. Remember his words in Revelation to the church in Ephesus: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20, NRSV) This verse is often used as a come to Jesus verse, but more correctly it is Jesus wanting to come to his church for genuine fellowship at a meal. But he won’t barge his was in; he is waiting for an invite.

When we gather at a table, we come as guests - even when we’re the host. We come in a posture as humble listeners, discerning God’s work among those who are gathered together.

Table fellowships create discipling conversations

The woman in this story, many believe it is Mary the sister of Lazarus, does something that draws the ire of the other attendees. She takes very expensive ointment, possible worth a year’s salary, and anoints Jesus with it. She is immediately criticized and judged for this flagrant waste. Yet what they discern as waste, Jesus discerns as an act of extravagant love and worship. And so we see that, in a natural way, space is opened up at tables for discipling conversations.

Jesus taught in structured way. It’s obvious that there were times that he knew he would be speaking and probably planned what his remarks would be. These are good and necessary. Its good to come to places like church or Midweek and hear teaching. But I think that most of the discipling Jesus did was organic - simply taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Here is where table fellowship excels. Jesus is able in this moment to discern what the Spirit is doing, and what this woman’s heart is, and give a different narrative for people to consider. Perhaps they learning something about what worship looks like. The point is that at a table we open ourselves up to be taught by one another in ways that connect to what is going on in our life at that moment - and those are the teaching moments that stick.

Table fellowships reveal God’s presence among us

My all time favorite post-resurrection encounter involved the disciples who were walking to road toward Emmaus. Remember? Jesus came and began walking with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He wanted to know what they were talking about, and they were surprised he was unaware. And so they began to tell Jesus about himself! They arrive at where they were going to stay for the evening, and Jesus acted as if he would travel on alone, but they pressed him to come stay with them. And then the most amazing thing happened. Listen as Luke tells the story:

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:30–35, NRSV)

Jesus made himself known, how? In the breaking of bread. At a meal. I believe our tables can be moments of supernatural encounter. Where, as we listen to one another, we discern God at work among us. We discover that Jesus really is in our midst. I believe table fellowship is the vision God has given me for the future of our church. Organic gatherings that happen in many neighborhoods when we gather at a table to be present to God, to one another, and to those who are not yet fully decided. I’m not ready to pull the trigger or a structured plan, but even now I encourage you to find people that you can gather with weekly to share a meal and share your spiritual life. You need more that what Sunday morning and Wednesday even offer - although you need them too ;)

Here’s how I’d do it.

Gather at a single table. Squeeze people in and be ok with being crowded.

Open with prayer and invite the presence of Jesus.

Share in a meal where everyone just brings whatever they can contribute.

Ask, “What’s been going on in your life?” “Where do you sense God at work in your life?”

Let the Spirit lead the conversation from there. Maybe the Bible will be quoted, maybe not, but discipleship under the leadership of the Spirit will happen.

Dismiss with prayer for one another, your church, and your community.

Communion

There is no question in my mind that when we gather at a table, God is present. That alone makes it an essential practice for the church. The question is, will we recognize him? Each week we gather as a community around this table. Do we recognize God’s work among us? Do we recognize his presence in the midst of us? Let’s quiet our hearts, and let’s attend to the presence of God for just a moment. I invite you - encourage you - to respond to whatever the HS may be saying to you.

Join me in the kingdom prayer Jesus taught us...

The Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution