Come to His Table.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. - Psalms 23:5 ESV
One of the most astonishing things about Scripture is it’s coherence, despite being recorded by so many different people over so many centuries. “The Lord is my Shepherd” is a well known and well loved Psalm, but in it, the Holy Spirit reveals more than just the thoughts of a young king (David) who depends deeply on God. As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord’s Table as He instructed us to do, a far deeper meaning becomes apparent and the wonder of the Gospel is illuminated.
Scripture tells us that Jesus triumphed over His enemies on the cross (Colossians 2:25) but that His full and final triumph will be as He destroys death, utterly and completely (1 Corinthians 15:25-26). His enemies are our enemies and His victory over them is our victory over them. He has destroyed the power of sin and death and He will, in His good and perfect time, utterly destroy every last semblance of them. Until then, He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, proclaiming His victory over them, and thus proclaiming our salvation. As we join our Lord Jesus at His table, prepared for us, let us meditate on the fact that His enemies can do nothing but look on in amazement at His astonishing victory. All glory be to Him.
Prayer.
Dear Father God Almighty and victorious, we praise You for Your love and power, and Your grace in inviting us to the table of your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for preparing a table for us, and for leaving our enemies powerless, but to watch as You care for and protect us as our Heavenly Shepherd. Father we could never earn or deserve Your loving kindness, but are eternally grateful for Your amazing grace. Help us Father to invite others to Your Table, and keep us in Your perfect loving trust. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship.
Come out of sadness
From wherever you've been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
There's hope for the hopeless
And all those who've strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There's rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't cure
Serving.
The gift of hospitality, especially over this time of Christmas, is a powerful tool to share the blessed good news of the Gospel with those we are given the opportunity to serve. As you serve meals, prepared in love this Christmas, make sure to prioritise the very best course. Sharing the Gospel over a meal may be the way that someone finally understands God’s great loving-kindness and accepts His invitation to sit at His table, now and for eternity.