April 25, 2011

• The Table

   Yesterday our pastor talked about the story of Lazarus and the rich man.  (I won’t re-tell it, but it is found in Luke 16.) As I listened to the story, I wondered to myself, “What would make the rich man think that Lazarus would even consider helping him. I had always imagined that the rich man had completely ignored Lazarus. We read, however, that the rich man knew the beggar’s name. He also must have had some reason to believe that Lazarus would help him. Maybe I have had it wrong. Maybe as the rich man walked outside his gate each week he and Lazarus would speak. “How’s it going today Lazarus?” “How are those dogs and flies treating you.” And maybe Lazarus as much as he longed for a scrap from Lazarus’ table in a strange way appreciated the attention. Maybe his eyes lit up a little that the wealthy man dressed in purple knew his name. Could it be the rich man thought he was doing this sick, homeless man a favor by acknowledging him? Is it possible that every once in a while he even tossed him a coin or shooed away a dog or two that was antagonizing Lazarus?

   

  But obviously those “efforts” were not found to have any worth. They were not from a heart that was pure. This morning I asked God to show me what the rich man should have done when it came to this beggar lying outside his home. And this thought formed quickly, “He should have given him a place at his table.”

  

  I was reminded of the story of David and Mephibosheth. Shortly after David became king he began to search for any remaining relation to the previous King Saul. You see he had the right, and was expected to kill any remaining family of the king before in order to protect his position. His search was successful. He found one young man: a cripple named Mephibosheth. But to the surprise of everyone, especially Mephibosheth I am sure, David did not kill him. He welcomed him to his table. This crippled man had the honor of dining with the king for the rest of his days.

  

  When Jesus was on earth the gospels tell of Jesus sitting and eating at the “table” of sinners….of pharisees, of prostitutes, of tax collectors.

  The gospel also warns us not to save the head of the table for the rich and important, but instead to bring the poor and needy to the front of the table. To honor those who, in our society, have not earned the right or privilege to be honored.

  Jesus showed a beautiful example of servant-like love at a table during the last supper with his disciples.

  The Bible speaks of the banqueting table that is being prepared for the bride of Christ. We will dine with our God. We will sit at His table….with Him, our King, for eternity.

  

  To follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to carry in us the heart of God….we must love the unlovable. We must love them in a way that causes them to feel honored and valued. We must reach out and bring them in, and allow them to become (as if they are) family.

  

  Our church has grown a lot in the past two years. Just this month we have had to begin a second Sunday morning service. Our pastor always refers to transitions like these as “making room at the table.” I had gotten to the point that I wished he would come up with another slogan…it was getting a little old to me. But not anymore. God has opened my eyes to the significance of the “table.” The table is a place for family. It is a place to enjoy the nourishment and comfort of food provided by those who care for and love you. It is a place to be real, to share your joys and your struggles; never fearing that you will be rejected.

  

  Did you know that you are welcome to God’s table? In the story of Lazarus, Father Abraham tells the rich man, “No, Lazarus will not come to you. His lifetime was full of bad things, but now he is being comforted.” How beautiful! All of the pain. All of the struggles. All of the rejection and humiliation. It will come to an end. And for eternity we will be comforted. Hold on, friend, wherever you are….for there is comfort for your soul. He is saving you a place at His table.

  

  There are so many, many people sitting outside of our gates. The gates of the church. The gates of the body of Christ. So many poor, needy, broken, people. 147 million orphans. 1 billion people living in extreme poverty.  32 million suffering from Aids. Countless men, women, and children in every city in our nation, and in our world are being tormented by every imaginable tool of Satan. Divorce, Abuse, Cancer, Depression, the list goes on and on and it is heartbreaking. We need to take a minute from our lives of luxury (if you are reading this online right now – you have luxury) or even our lives of heartache, to see others from God’s perspective. The perspective of love, empathy, and compassion. A perspective that is not disgusted by sickness, frailty, and raw carnality, but is instead disgusted by greed, overindulgence, and snobbishness. I am so grateful today that God sent his Son down to our table so that we could have a place at His table. Out of this gratitude, out of worship I want to “waste” my life finding ways to invite Lazarus to my table. Lets beg God to burden us for the broken, and to show us who our Lazuaruses are. The ones that God has called us to love and honor and serve.

  First Clue: Look for those whom your first instinct is to turn away.

  

  After church yesterday, we ventured a few streets over to take pictures at some houses that are being built. It was just the kids and I first because Blake was still finishing up at church. I love how when he shows up time gets sweeter. His laid back personality relaxes all of us and a photo shoot goes from being a tad on the stressful side to silly and fun.

  

  

  Happy Monday everyone!!  Give yourself time and permission to relax and be silly! And don’t forget to invite someone to your table this week.

      

   

  • 12:59 pm
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