Around the Table

3/22/2022

Luke 21:33 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

I live with two excellent cooks. Right now, as I write, they are in the kitchen whipping up a delicious pasta dish with salad and garlic bread. Last night, my hubby made hamburgers that were so good they would rival the best restaurant you can name. The thing about these two chefs is that they both actually enjoy cooking. This both blesses and confuses me. You see, I am not a joyful cook at all. I will cook periodically by following a recipe, but it is definitely not a gift of mine. Oddly enough, however, I do love watching cooking shows. 

I do know that cooking for people is a love language, too. Sharing your home and a meal with others is what brings people together. It allows for not just casual conversation, but deeper connection. I have been a part of these special times often. Most of the time, if I am being honest, it is our family doing the hosting. This changed for us when we moved to Maine. A dear lovely friend, who is the epitome of a gifted graceful host, enveloped our family into her world of loving others through wonderful food and her warmhearted environment. She not only welcomed us in, but kept doing it over and over again. The blessing that this brought to our lives (pre-Covid) was rare and deeply encouraging to our souls. We are longing to have these gatherings once again with those who are dear to us. 

As Holy Week approaches, I am reminded of another meal shared around a table. This was also a time of intimate connection on a level that I cannot truly comprehend. The men sitting there had traveled together and had many meals with one another, but this meal was different, for it would be the last one they would share. One of them, the one they called teacher and Lord, was letting them know that their time together was growing short. Soon, He would fulfill His ultimate purpose, and they could not join Him in this part of His earthly journey. At this meal, He talked of what they could do as a remembrance of Him and told of His betrayer. Luke 22:19-22 "And He took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.'"

Around this table in an upper room, these men shared a meal and listened to their teacher. Can you imagine the love that must have been there that evening, while sitting at a table over a meal listening to Jesus? Brings me both tears and chills. They, of course, still did not yet fully understand the depth and breadth of what His words actually meant. It wouldn't be long, however, before they did. The events that followed not only changed their lives, but the world for the rest of time.