“Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” Matthew 22:9
This weekend, as a church, we will be starting a new teaching series on Joy and the Table.
Why? I’m so glad you asked. Come sit with me at the table and I’ll explain (dad joke, sorry).
In the past few months, I’ve been struck by how often God has highlighted the words “joy” and “table” to myself and to others around me. Through songs, scripture, prophetic words, sermons, conversation, etc, the list goes on. We’re paying attention. I believe God wants to speak further about this and to respond in kind.
Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It comes up often in the Bible. Joy is close friends with the words like celebration, party, rejoice, laughter, life, redemption. It’s a word that brings up thoughts of feasting, food, abundance, love, freedom. Think of stories such as God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb, Zacchaeus, the healed lepers, the woman at the well, the parables of a wedding feast, the Psalms rich with joy, the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation…
As a church, I believe we are entering into a season of experiencing deeper revelation in the area of joy. We’re walking deeper into the joy that is found in Jesus alone; the joy that circumstances cannot change. To know true joy is to know Jesus. He is our joy.
The table represents gathering, unity, togetherness, community, invitation, a place of nourishing and a place of healing.
The beautiful part is this: everyone is welcome at the Lord’s table. The invitation goes out to everyone. You are invited. I am invited. Your neighbour, your family, the homeless, the rich, the poor, the broken, the wounded, the sick, the healthy—they are all invited. It’s a place to repent, to receive forgiveness, to find a life and love in Christ alone.
What a beautiful invitation.
Jim Wilder et al. said it in Joy Starts Here:“Joy is a banquet table to which we are all invited. The places are set, and the table is filled with the delightful aroma that satisfies our deepest longing for life-giving connections with God and with others. There is room at this table for everyone; young and old, weak or strong. So pull up a chair, we’ve been waiting for you!”
As you go about your day, I want to encourage you; will you accept God’s invitation? He asks you to sit with Him at the table; to be with Him and to receive His love for you. He knows you and exactly where you’re at. He’s not in a hurry.
Speak with Him. Share your thoughts and frustrations with Him. He is loving and understanding. He’s not too busy. Time spent with Him is never wasted time and He loves to spend it with you.
Wherever you are at, come and be filled. Come and eat, come and drink. Pull up a chair, He’s been waiting for you.