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The Power of the Table

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. LUKE 22:14-23 NIV

The table is…

Where people encountered Jesus

For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. LUKE 22:16 NIV

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. ROMANS 16:3-5 NIV

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. COLOSSIANS 4:15 NIV

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home. PHILEMON 1:1-2 NIV

One of the greatest gifts we offer to a fractured world is our dining room table.

Where we are nourished by our generational differences

Do our tables at home reflect Jesus’ table in his kingdom?

Where our joys and pains meet the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” LUKE 22:19 NIV

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26 NIV

Where God uses physical food to remind us we need spiritual nourishment

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. PSALM 34:8 NIV

Things to remember about the spiritual practice of eating and drinking together:

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, releasing any burdens from the day. As you consider the hospitality of God, ask him to help you see how he has used your dinner table to minister to others. Thank him for these opportunities, and then reflect on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “This is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.” What thoughts and feelings surface as you consider these words? As you consider the magnitude of this, ask God to help you remember that he is with you, during all of the joys, but also during the painful moments. Thank him for this reality, and ask him for help in remembering it on a regular basis. With that in mind, consider that, by taking communion, we are proclaiming Jesus’ death until he returns. Why is that so important? Ask God to reveal the depth of that truth. Write down your reflections in the space below and share with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to process the hospitality of God and how he meets us in our joys as well as our pain. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here)
  2. SELF: If you were to send a picture of your church to a friend, what would you send them? Why?
  3. GOD: We all suffer from spiritual amnesia. Where do you have a tendency to forget? What can you do to be reminded of Jesus & what He offers you?
  4. OTHERS: The greatest gift you and I can offer to our fractured world is our dining table. How can you give the gift of hospitality to bring others into more meaningful and restorative moments?
  5. OTHERS: To what extent have you neglected the art of face-to-face interaction? How might your life be different if we created more intentional time with others?
  6. ACTION: There is so much transformation that happens when we simply slow down. What steps can you take this week to slow down and intentionally, “taste and see that the Lord is good”? How do you think your life might be different if you did this more regularly?