The Invitation
I just returned from a family vacation where we spent almost every meal together around a table. We shared laughter and conversation as we ate, and afterward. We took turns working together to clean up. We were intentional in planning our meals, deciding who would cook what each night and making sure everyone felt included.
Throughout the week, I found myself thinking about what it must have been like to sit around the table with Jesus during the Last Supper.
I don’t know if that final meal Jesus shared with His friends before His death was filled with laughter, but I do know it was filled with intention. Jesus gave specific instructions about what to prepare and where He and His disciples would eat. Every word He spoke at that table was filled with purpose and love.
Read: Luke 22:7-20
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
There’s so much that could be said about this very important scripture but one thing that stands out to me is this: the disciples were invited to sit at the table with Jesus. They didn’t earn their place, just like we don’t have to earn our way to salvation. Jesus welcomed His friends to share that meal knowing what was to come and how He would be betrayed and denied.
Jesus invites us in the same way. We don’t have to be perfectly prepared or clean ourselves up before coming to the table. He welcomes us to come as we are (Matthew 11:28).
Communion is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of the invitation and the love that Jesus pours out for us.
Activation: Prayerfully ask the Lord who you should invite to your table (or a table at a coffee shop). Remember, the invitation matters!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the invitation to come to Your table just as we are. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. May we never take for granted what Your Son did for us on the cross.
Throughout the week, I found myself thinking about what it must have been like to sit around the table with Jesus during the Last Supper.
I don’t know if that final meal Jesus shared with His friends before His death was filled with laughter, but I do know it was filled with intention. Jesus gave specific instructions about what to prepare and where He and His disciples would eat. Every word He spoke at that table was filled with purpose and love.
Read: Luke 22:7-20
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
There’s so much that could be said about this very important scripture but one thing that stands out to me is this: the disciples were invited to sit at the table with Jesus. They didn’t earn their place, just like we don’t have to earn our way to salvation. Jesus welcomed His friends to share that meal knowing what was to come and how He would be betrayed and denied.
Jesus invites us in the same way. We don’t have to be perfectly prepared or clean ourselves up before coming to the table. He welcomes us to come as we are (Matthew 11:28).
Communion is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of the invitation and the love that Jesus pours out for us.
Activation: Prayerfully ask the Lord who you should invite to your table (or a table at a coffee shop). Remember, the invitation matters!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the invitation to come to Your table just as we are. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. May we never take for granted what Your Son did for us on the cross.
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments