Throughout the Scriptures, the “table” is a picture of God’s blessing and provision. The Israelites during their wilderness journey complained, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19). The answer of course is, “Yes, He can!” And God did prepare a table full of manna and quail for the children of Israel.
Elsewhere in the Psalms, we have this reassuring word of blessing and provision. “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).
Fast forward to the new covenant introduced by Jesus and we have another table of blessing and provision; something we commonly call the Lord’s table. “And when He had taken some bread and 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 in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood’ “ (Luke 22:19-20).
Christ’s body and Christ’s blood are the provision that took away our sin. And the resurrected Christ now living in us is the blessing that carries us forward in this world. Where are you experiencing the table of new covenant provision and blessing in your life today?
Imagine, if you will, a castle sitting on a high hill. In the magnificent dining hall, your heavenly Father sits at a great table that is covered with a scrumptious feast. You enter gingerly. Yes, you are in awe of the Father as you should be. But you are also a little frightened to be there. You have been taught by the traditions of men that even though you are a believing child of God, there is a separation between you and the Father because of your sin, your doubt, your fear, or your shame. Maybe you feel this separation right now.
A voice breaks the silence. Your Father calls out, “Raise your head, My child. Get up! I have a seat here at the table just for you. This feast has been set for you. You are a child of glory. Better yet, why don’t you climb up on the lap of your Abba Father?”
Friend, can I encourage you? You are, right now, that close to the Father. There is no separation. When you believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ, your separation ended FOREVER. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Come to the table with the assurance that we talked about last time, “We have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). You belong here. The table is set for you. The Father is waiting.