The Table of Jesus

I'm preaching tomorrow about Jesus' table customs. The overarching topic is based in Mars Hill's and Rob Bell's "Directions" series, which we have sort of co-opted for use at The Bridge. In listening to his sermons, and reading some really cool stuff (most notably Scott McKnight's book Jesus Creed) I came across this idea that surrounds what the table actually represents in the mind of Jesus.

In short:

1. To the observant Jew, the table was seen as an altar, a place of worship...and as such there was a requirement for purity to be able to sit at the table.
2. For Jesus, this was an exclusionary way of worshipping God, and as such his table customs were that when one comes to the table, when one comes to the "altar", they come seeking purity.

So Jesus inaugurates this table custom that centers on the greatest commandment (Love God and Love others), what Scott McKnight calls "The Jesus Creed". And the table becomes this place where God heals, where people gather around God's vision, and ultimately where people live TODAY the hope of the Kingdom.

In studying and reading and praying for this sermon, something in me changed...I realized that the Table of Jesus is a table that fulfills the great commission. In one of Rob Bell's sermons he puts it like this: "Remember that...they have a face, those people have names, and God calls you and me to help them become part of us." I realized, that maybe the great commission is the supreme, the most important thing that you and I are called to obey God in.

But the implications of that call are enormous!! It's not just about evangelism, or even mission. But it's about "transformission". That is, that as I grow and conform more and more to the likeness of Christ, the more and more I gain compassion for "the missing", the more I gain compassion for those who feel they have no place at the table. And as I offer them a place for healing, and vision, and hope...I am being a disciple who makes disciples. I am literally LIVING the Great Commission...