Come To The Table

Let’s Eat

The next couple of weeks we're going to be spending time in Luke 14, in a mini-series called "Come to the Table."

I named the series this because - don't you just love invitations to eat?

At first I thought that "Let's Eat" may have been a better title for this series, because anytime food is involved - I'm excited. That phrase might just be one of the best phrases in the English language. I think there might only be one time in my life that those words didn't just bring immediate joy to my heart.

You know I think that the only time those two words didn't just spark joy in my heart was when - shortly after I started dating Cassy (and don't worry, I checked with her family before telling this story) - there would be times that I would go over to her parents house to have dinner with her family. Now, I'm historically not one that enjoys spicy food. Cassy's family, however - well, that's a different story. Cassy warned me before hand, saying something like, "My mom is cooking tonight, and just so you know she really likes spicy food."

So with a brave face I walked into their home, I was going to be a good and gracious guest in their home, a good boyfriend to Cassy, and by George, I was just going to eat whatever it was that was set down in front of me with a smile - and just trust God what He said in Isaiah 41:10:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Because that's what that verse means, right? Protection from spicy food.

Well we're hanging out, sitting in the living room, watching TV. And then I hear those words: "Let's eat!"

Oh no.

The moment is here. Every decision that I've made in my life has lead me up to this point. Voluntarily walking into the dining room. Sitting at the table, about to eat spicy food - with a smile.

I put my fork in (when asking Cassy what the dish was, she referred to it as "The beans dish"), put it up to my mouth (probably sweating even though I didn't eat any yet), and took a bite. I chewed, swallowed the bite, and to my shock was still alive to tell the tale.

Actually, the meal was incredible. Yeah it was spicy, but eventually I came to (not love, but tolerate) spicy food. So the way that I look at it now, is that it just means that it's one more scenario in which I love to hear the phrase "let's eat."

And that's because it was during those times - whether it was eating as Cassy's house, or at a meal somewhere else with her and her family, but times when we came together, were just hanging out, talking, and sharing a meal together - that I truly got to know them, love them, and appreciate them.

Coming to the table is about so much more than just food, or a phrase like "let's eat!" It's about fellowship and building relationships. It's about engagement and friendship. It's acceptance.

And that's because eating with someone is one of the most intimate and important connections that you can make with them.

The Great Banquet

Today we're going to be looking at a passage in which we see how Jesus extends that invitation to us, and then talk about what keeps a lot of people from it.

And I want to be fully transparent with from the very start today. The last five weeks of sermons here at New Hope have been about how our church is a church of action. We disciple, we serve, we gather, we welcome. All actions. All things that we do. So at the end of this message today I'm going to invite you specifically into action, a chance to receive Jesus' offer to be your Savior if you have never done so - to come to the table and begin or maybe renew a personal relationship with Him. I'm also going to give you a chance to speak to a pastor or elder here before the service is even finished, so that we can help guide you in that next step, answer questions, celebrate with you, and pray for you.

Again, to "Come to the Table" - because everything is ready.

Context

Now, to set the stage for where we'll be hanging out these two weeks. Luke 14.

In our passage today, Jesus is at a meal himself. He's at the house of a Pharisee (a Jewish religious ruler)

and we're going to pick up in verse 7: