The Table of the King

Saturday 4/19/2014 4:30 AM

Tuesday of every week Jaci babysits for our grandkids that live in California.  When Andy and Jessica come to pick them up they usually stay for dinner and if Garrison and Emily are not working they join us too.  We sit around the table together and have a family dinner.  We sit and enjoy the meal together and when we finish eating the grandkids often get up to play while the adults sit around the table and visit.  The conversation is nothing special; we simply share what has happened during the past week while finishing a glass of wine or whatever it is we had to drink with dinner.  The atmosphere is generally relaxed with lots of laughter and good-hearted banter back and forth.

Last night we attended the Good Friday service at our church.  At the end of the service we had communion and the members of the congregation filed to the front of the sanctuary to partake of the elements.  During that time we sang Behold the Lamb, a communion hymn whose lyrics and music were written by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend.

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,

Slain for us - and we remember

The promise made that all who come in faith

Find forgiveness at the cross.

So we share in this bread of life,

And we drink of His sacrifice

As a sign of our bonds of peace

Around the table of the King.

The body of our Savior Jesus Christ,

Torn for you - eat and remember

The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life

Paid the price to make us one.

So we share in this bread of life,

And we drink of His sacrifice

As a sign of our bonds of love

Around the table of the King.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,

Shed for you - drink and remember

He drained death's cup that all may enter in

To receive the life of God.

So we share in this bread of life,

And we drink of His sacrifice

As a sign of our bonds of grace

Around the table of the King.

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise

To respond, - and to remember

Our call to follow in the steps of Christ

As His body here on earth.

As we share in His suffering

We proclaim Christ will come again!

And we’ll join in the feast of heaven

Around the table of the King.

As we sang, the last phrase of each verse reminded me of our family dinner night and, for the first time, I thought of communion as sitting around God’s table sharing with the family of God in the same way as when our family sits around our table enjoying good food and enjoying each other’s company.  In the sacrament of communion we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf that has resulted in the complete forgiveness of all of our sins, which makes sitting at God’s table possible.  Today I read Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”  It is another reminder of the relationship that God desires with his people even when our lives are beset with things that are trying to sever that relationship.  During my quiet time each day I feel as if I sit down for breakfast with God, sharing my life with him and listening to the advice he has for me for the coming day.  God has prepared the table and he has made it possible for me to come and enjoy the food and the company it will provide.  The question is do I accept the invitation and take the time to feast at the table of the King?