Room at the Table (Lent)

Luke 5:29-32 NRSV

Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

We look down on the Pharisees for assigning people or groups into favored and rejected categories. But don’t we do the same? You might not mean to but we often speak disparaging about the homeless, about a person needing to get a job, about a faith group or nationality or political party. Are these comments not the same thing as what the Pharisees were doing? I know I have caught myself doing this. I don’t intend to demean the other groups. but when I do this, I realize that I am seeing myself as one of the righteous, one blessed by God and not like them.

This causes me to come to an even greater awareness. I have become a sinner whom Jesus is calling to repentance. For Jesus said that we are to love others as he has loved. And we know Jesus did not place limits or labels on people or restrict his love. It is at that moment I realize that Jesus is saying that I am sick,. I need the great physician. Even more Jesus says that there is room at his table for me, not because I deserve it but because he loves me. That challenges me to remember to strive to be welcoming and loving towards all.

Awhile back on Facebook there was the story of the boy, about age five who went to a fast food restaurant with his family. After they had gotten their meal he was looking around a saw a man sitting all by himself. The little boy got down and went over with his meal and sat in the opposite seat to this man. Mom was getting up to bring him back to the table when she saw the man smile and welcome the boy. For the next few minutes they sat together talking as they ate. Soon the little boy came back to his family. When asked why he had done this he said, “No one should eat alone.” The mom admitted to feeling guilty. She had seen the man and ignored him. Her son saw a person in need of love.

When we are feeling lost, alone and hurting, Jesus comes and sits at our table. When we are sitting at the table feeling entitled, Jesus looks at us with sad eyes and gets up and moves to another table, one that needs him and welcomes not just him but all whom he has gathered to his feast. May we learn to have a welcoming heart to all knowing everyone we meet has a place at Jesus’ table.

Prayer:

Loving God, when I start feeling negative towards others stop me. Remind me that you love them and that they are welcomed at your table as much as me. Encourage me to be welcoming and non-judgmental for I know this is what it takes to truly dine with you. AMEN.

This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.