You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
An Invitation to the Table
It is no accident that we would gather around the theme of the table in the middle of a season when we cannot actually, physically gather. The table of the Lord is an image of eternity that stirs our hearts with longing for the way things are meant to be; the sting of such longing is only accentuated in the disconnection of our current reality. As we spend the coming eight weeks together at the table of Christ, may we taste of divine restoration here and now – and may our hearts be awakened unto longing by fresh vision of Jesus and his desire for ourselves, each other, and the world.
If we are willing to surrender to it, the table offers us an invitation to engage our whole selves – body, heart, mind, and soul – in the acts of friendship and feasting. The table is intentional: settings must be prepared, invitations must be extended, and places must be taken. The table is a rhythm, reminding us that life and nourishment and relationship happen when we invest time – meal after meal, day after day, year after year – and rest in the faithfulness of presence and process. Those who sit at the table of the Lord belong to something greater than themselves: an inclusive and inviting fellowship in the company of Christ. May the image of such a table bring healing to your heart and around your table as you spend time with Jesus this week.
Meditation
We encourage you to start or end your days this week by spending a few slow, quiet moments reading this verse. Invite the Lord to speak to you anew each day through this scripture, and allow your heart and mind to rest in the faithfulness of his word.
“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”
(Revelation 3:20 NRSV)
In the Word
As you engage the idea of the table this week, spend time in the text of Psalm 23. Each day, choose two or three verses for more focused attention. Read through your selection of verses slowly and attentively — four times:
• Before beginning the second read, take a deep breath. Invite the Lord to speak to you through his word. Begin your second reading slowly, and notice any particular words or phrases that stand out to you. You might want to copy the word or phrase into your journal. If nothing stands out to you, do not worry! Simply read the text and ponder as the Spirit leads you.
• On the third read, invite the Spirit to speak into the current circumstances of your life through the word or phrase (or the entire selection) he highlighted to you. Again, note anything God speaks to you in your journal. And if you do not hear anything in particular, simply enjoy a moment of quiet in the presence of the Lord.
• On the fourth read, turn your selection of verses into a prayer. As the Holy Spirit leads, use the word of God to share your heart — your circumstances, your longings, your sufferings, and your joys — with the Lord. End with a prayer of gratitude.
For further reading: Revelation 19:7-9, Mark 12:28-34
