Building God's Table: Who's Table Do You Think It Is

 Luke 24:28-35 Common English Bible

When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.

Throughout the story of Jesus --- there is one common thread that seems to bind most of the important stories in Jesus’ life together

FOOD

Think about it

It seems that whenever something major is happening or being taught it is centered around a table

In the Gospel of Luke alone there are 10 stories of Jesus dining with people

And that is not counting all the meals that are found in the parables

Just to name a few:

Mary & Martha story

When the disciples argue over who is most important

When we are asked who should be invited to a party (our story last week)

Prodigal son

The last supper

Virtually every post resurrection story of Jesus centers on food --- including our story today

Why is food --- or maybe we should say TABLE FELLOWSHIP

Why is it so important?

It certainly isn’t a new question --- Mark tells us this story

Jesus sat down to eat at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples. Indeed, many of them had become his followers. When some of the legal experts from among the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why is he eating with sinners and tax collectors?”

When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” 

(Mark 2:15-17 CEB)

What I find fascinating in this story is that Jesus seems to be proclaiming --- that table fellowship is vital to his mission.  

And that by accepting his invitation --- his guests are invited to partake not only in the meal --- but also his mission.

This emphasis on table fellowship was not the invention of Jesus --- it was a part of the fabric of first century Jewish life

New Testament scholar Joachim Jeremias described it this way: 

“in Judaism in particular, table-fellowship means fellowship before God, for the eating of a piece of broken bread by everyone who shares in the meal brings out the fact that they all share in the blessing which the master of the house has spoken over the unbroken bread.”

Last Sunday I shared how Jesus tried to turn some of the boundaries of table fellowship upside down --- reminding us that the table MUST be open to everyone --- not just a particular group or class.

EP Saunders, in his book The Historical Figure of Jesus, suggests that the existing importance of the meal in first century Palestinian culture as a communal, bond-strengthening events for guests and hosts --- provided the perfect vehicle for Jesus to express his central message of the kingdom of God in a way understandable to all levels of socio-cultural society.

Sarah Sahu in her article Life in the Kingdom: Meal as Realization of Jesus’ Mission writes:

Jesus’ table fellowship was a symbol of the Kingdom of God that he preached. His open fellowship was symbolic of the joyous union that God intends for his creation, and demonstrated the praxis by which the realization of the Kingdom can be fulfilled—through the mercy and grace of God shared with creation. Through the meal, Jesus broke through the boundaries constructed by his socio-cultural society, and even in the hearts of the ‘sinners,’ proclaiming a Kingdom whose arrival should not be dreaded through fear of chastisement, but through welcome and in hope of transformation. Modern day disciples are called to continue this open fellowship—to do otherwise would be an act against hope, and thus contrary to Jesus’ own actions and teachings. His dinner guests may continue to respond throughout the ages to Jesus’ invitation, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

That was a mouthful

Meals are important for Jesus because they are transformational.

When we gather together around a table ---

When we share in a meal

We break down the barriers that can hold us back from experiencing the power and glory of God’s kin-dom.

When I think back on my life 

--- some of the most important events happened around a table.

And for me

It all started at the family dinner table

A place that was safe

A place where opinions could be shared

And even tried out

For many of us --- the family dinner table was that place where we grew up

Where we were transformed from being a kid to being an adult

Because I was blessed to learn the importance of table fellowship --- many, many important events in my life have happened while breaking bread with a brother or sister.

Close to 20 years ago, John Mybeck, Steve Rogers and I, sat down for breakfast at the Commander Restaurant in Munster Indiana.

The Commander was one of those typical Greek family run breakfast places that had some of the best (and reasonably priced) food around

We gathered to dream.

At that point I had been at Ridge UMC for at about 4 years

We had grown

And were facing the limitations that our current building had on our imaginations

At that meeting --- we dreamed of building a fellowship hall type of building

One that could be utilized by BOTH the church and the community.

We left that breakfast no longer with a dream --- but the beginnings of a vision

Many breakfasts later

With more and different people included

Ridge Church built their fellowship hall

--- it has been a godsend to the community

But those same transformational meals have taken place here

Sometime --- Pre-pandemic, Geoff DeSmit and I had lunch with someone we felt God was leading us toward 

The purpose of the lunch was to see if she could help us find someone to manage the communications of the church

To be honest --- neither of us knew her very well

But we were both feeling a tug from God

It was a marvelous lunch --- and transformational

For shortly thereafter – Kristin Sims (aka Special K) joined the staff

What a blessing

Have I told you before how blessed you are with the lay staff here at Meridian Street?

All of them are AMAZING!

Next Sunday we get to honor one of them for their commitment to Meridian Street Church

We get to honor Miriam and thank her for years of dedicated service to Meridian Street and the Bell choir.

I not only get to work with them --- but I get to call them FRIEND!

There is no greater gift!

In our crazy resurrection story today --- two men are walking from Jerusalem toward the village of Emmaus --- it is a strange, bizarre story that has some crazy twists to it.

If you haven’t already --- I encourage you to read all of Chapter 24 of Luke

It is post resurrection, and we find two men walking --- they are leaving Jerusalem because it seems as if they have no reason to stay

Jesus is dead

The mission is over

As they are walking a stranger joins them

And we get the first real twist to this story

Luke tells us that “their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

The verb is in the passive voice

And even more strangely --- we are not told WHY!

Why could they not recognize Jesus.

• Were they so grieved by their experience and so sure that Jesus was gone that they simply didn’t expect him? 

• Did Jesus look different after the resurrection? 

• Was his face transformed? 

• Was Jesus wearing a mask with a goofy mustache? 

We just don’t know. 

Luke does not tell us.

And if that wasn’t strange enough --- this stranger asked them what they have been talking about.

They are stunned

Does this person not know what has happened?

Again listen carefully to the verb tense Luke uses:

“we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.”

HAD HOPED

They KNOW the tomb is empty and had heard stories of his resurrection

BUT THEY HAD HOPED!

Then, to and another of layer of weirdness to this story --- this stranger begins to explain how Jesus fulfills Jewish expectation

But they still don’t know who this person is.

Night is drawing close, and they are almost to Emmaus and the stranger appears like he is going to continue down the road --- when they invite this stranger to come and stay with them for the evening.

Listen as Eric Barreto describes the scene in his commentary on this passage:

They exhort Jesus to stay with them. They offer hospitality to one whom they believe is a stranger. They offer to be hosts to this traveling companion and “new” friend.

But as soon as the table is set, Jesus upends the expected social roles. He becomes the host by blessing the bread and sharing it. Now, remember, they still don’t know that they are dining with Jesus once again; they don’t realize that their dashed hopes are restored in the resurrected body of this “stranger.”

But when Jesus does the most Jesus thing of all, everything changes.

He continues:

One of the most characteristic activities of Jesus’ ministry in Luke is eating. He is accused early in the Gospel of being a glutton and a drunkard (7:34); worse, he eats with all the wrong people! So, it’s instructive that it’s not his teaching that open their eyes. It’s not his presence. It’s his sharing of bread with his friends. It’s his blessing of food. In this sharing of bread at an ordinary table, we catch a glimpse of Jesus’ transformative kingdom.

In Luke, eating is a radical act because it breaks down cultural boundaries. In Luke, the resurrected Jesus shares that bread once again with his followers. And in feeding them, Jesus opens their eyes, helping them see that Jesus was with them the whole time.

I am convinced that our job --- mine and yours --- is to create opportunities for table fellowship.

To help people to SEE Jesus

And we can do that in a variety of ways:

Whether that is putting together dinners to welcome Pastor Rachel

Or helping to ensure the success of our summer camp program

SOLD OUT!!!!

105 families --- over 85% are not connected to Meridian Street.

God is giving us a HUGE opportunity to share the love of Jesus

And it will happen over snacks more than anywhere else

As Frank reminded us last week --- some of the most foundational groundwork of faith take place at the snack table at VBS or things like Summer Camp

How many of you FOUND Jesus around a table at Camp Otto that changed your life forever?

So please --- keep this exciting new ministry in your prayer

And if you can

Volunteer your time to help at camp or VBS

Or support them by purchasing items on the wish list

I am convinced that our job --- mine and yours --- is to create opportunities for table fellowship.

To create safe spaces --- for people to experience Jesus

Drink From The Fountain of Grace: The Cup That Never Runs Dry

John 20:1-18

A few years ago Nancy and I went to New Orleans

While we were there ---we decided to go visit some of the famous cemeteries of the city.

Because New Orleans is built on a swamp, the deceased must be buried above ground in elaborate stone crypts and mausoleums. 

Over time the cemeteries, with elaborate sculptures and other decorative artwork embellishing the tombs, have come to resemble small villages. 

They are known by the nickname of “Cities of the Dead.”

Just north of the French Quarter is the most famous cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery #1

It is the burial place of Marie Laveau, the legendary “voodoo queen.” 

Believers and non-believers alike make pilgrimages to her tomb to make offerings to her spirit in return for what they hope will be blessings. The many “X’s” scrawled on the tomb attest to the power she is believed to wield, even long after her death

But by far, the most interesting was a trolley ride away at the Metairie Cemetery.

It is built on a former horse racing track, and is the site of some of the most elaborate monuments and tombs to be found in New Orleans.

I could show you pictures for hours --- but the most interesting is that of the weeping angel.

It is a copy of a sculpture that originally was made as a grave stone for the artist, William Story and his wife, in Rome.

It is --- to put it mildly --- beautiful!

Our world seems to be filled with weeping . . .

The horrific war in the Ukraine is beyond our ability to comprehend

Fires are burning out of control in New Mexico.

Earlier this week there was the shooting on the subway in New York City

Friday was the 1-year anniversary of the Fed Ex shooting here in Indianapolis in which 8 people died

And Friday evening we gathered around the cross to remember Jesus’ crucifixion

Sometimes it seems as if evil is winning --- doesn't it?

Every time you open the newspaper or turn on the TV it seems that there is more and more evil in the world.

But today we gather to say to the world that while evil seems strong --- 

seems stronger than good sometimes 

--- today we gather to say that love always overcomes evil!

That love is stronger --- stronger even than death!

But NOT without Easter 

Without Easter --- we wouldn’t be here this morning ---- and I don't think we would be proclaiming that love is stronger that death!

If Jesus’ story had ended with his murder by crucifixion, 

his body left to be eaten by the birds and dogs 

--- my hunch is Jesus would have been forgotten, remembered only by a small few who viewed him as a failure.

Jesus would have been just another Jew crucified by the Roman Empire, 

an empire that executed thousands upon thousands on a cross.

Maybe the Roman—Jewish historian Josephus would have left us a word or two about this itinerant preacher who was executed, but I kind of doubt it

in all likelihood you and I would never have heard of him.

Or can you imagine if the Disciples had just gone home?

What if they figured that the guy that they had been following, well, they decided that he wasn’t all that they had expected him to be?

Where would we be today?

I have thought about that a great deal this week . . .

One of the things that has always amazed me --- maybe even frustrated me --- is that It seems pretty clear from the gospel stories that the disciples never really understood what Jesus was all about.

They are constantly confused about what Jesus mission was

In Mark’s Gospel (the earliest Gospel) we find that after Jesus was dead that: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come to the tomb with various spices so that they could embalm Jesus.

In other words --- they didn't come looking for the resurrected Jesus

They came looking for a dead Jesus

And in Matthew, Luke and John ---- when the encounter the resurrected Jesus:

• In Matthew they think it is an Angel

• In Luke they think it is two men

• And in John --- Mary thinks it is the gardener

They were not expecting to find Jesus resurrected!

And where were the disciples?

All the disciples are nowhere to be found.

Matthew, Luke and John all tell us that the Disciples were in hiding, because they were afraid that what happened to Jesus was going to happen to them

John goes so far as to tell us that on resurrection day, after Mary has already come and told them that she had encountered the risen Christ, that they were still hiding.

(John 20:19 The Message)  Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. 

What is amazing to me is that this frightened group of people somehow once they encountered the resurrected Jesus --- were totally transformed by the experience.

No longer were they afraid, ---- now they were willing to go out and proclaim Jesus and his Way --- even when it ultimately may have lead to their own martyrdoms.

Without a doubt, one of the reasons Jesus was resurrected was to transform this ragtag group of peasants into the strongest force the world has ever encountered.

• Not an army that would change the world through weapons, 

• but an army that would change the world through the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated throughout his life and through his death!

But is that why Jesus was resurrected?  

To straighten out the misfits who had failed to understand him?

Again, I am just not sure. . .

Or one other possibility ----maybe, just maybe, Jesus was resurrected for us 

--- for all of humanity that followed.

Maybe Jesus was resurrected so that we could understand that Jesus is not simply some historical figure from the ancient past, but that Jesus is an ever present reality --- seeking to be present in our lives --- in a very real way.

Unfortunately, I think that we sometimes just like the disciples ---- we too are confused about the meaning of Jesus' resurrection.

We think that because Jesus was resurrected that our circumstances will change.

IF WE BELIEVE in the resurrection then no harm will come to us

• We will be protected from evil

• Cancer or other illness will not rage in our bodies

• Our marriages will be secure

• We will get into heaven

If only we believe . . . 

But that is not the way that it works

The resurrection doesn’t change our circumstances 

--- what the resurrection changes is our perspective

Resurrection gives us hope!

There is an apocryphal story about a town that was suffering through a severe drought.

It was a farm town, and their crops (and thus livelihood) was being destroyed

The local pastor called all the townspeople together for a prayer meeting so that together they might ask God to bring rain.

He asked all those who believed that God had the power to send rain to gather with him at 4 pm on the designated day.

When the hour came ---- the church was filled and overflowing with the faithful.

The Pastor got up to start the meeting ---- but looking around he instead said:

"Go, home there is no faith here!"

As you can imagine, the people were all perplexed at the pastor's sudden attitude and began to clamor, wanting to know why?  Why was he sending them all home --- Why didn't he believe they had any faith?

Again he told them to go home ---- but this time he added:

"Where is your faith?  I don't see a single umbrella here!"

Jesus death and resurrection reminds us that

The light of Jesus is stronger than the darkness . . .

That Love is stronger than death!

Jesus was resurrected to remind us that sometimes things that appear to be dead ends really aren’t.

When we turn the light on them, sometimes, they lead us around through another way

Most of us probably wouldn’t pick the resurrection story that is found in the Gospel of Mark if we had to choose just one.

It ends so abruptly.

They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there, exactly as he said."

They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.

That’s it!

• No entrance of Jesus into a locked room

• No road to Emmaus

• No story on the sea of Galilee

Mark just ends and leaves us hanging.  

Almost bewildered.

It is as if Mark is leaving the ending up to us ---- along with the Jesus, followers to figure out.

They disciples quickly discover that Easter was not about them — instead, it’s about God. 

It’s about God filling the empty places in our lives with new and unexpected life.

Filling our broken and battered cups

He did it for the first followers of Jesus, . . . and he offers to do it for us.

The good news is that we don’t have to earn or deserve this gift of new life. 

What we have to do is be willing to journey with Jesus into the future he’s preparing for us. 

But it is John’s resurrection stories that are my favorite. 

And in our text this morning we have three disciples who all have a different reaction to the empty tomb.

First, we have Mary Magdalene

Early the morning after Jesus is executed ---Mary goes to the tomb alone. 

We are told that it was still dark. 

What is the first thing she does?

Mary runs to tell Simon Peter and the “beloved disciple” that the stone was rolled away.

I love the image of Peter and this other disciple running to the tomb.

The “beloved disciple” is the better runner and beats Peter to the tomb --- but we are told that he does not go in.

When Peter arrives, no doubt out of breath, he sticks his head into the tomb and the beloved disciple follows him.

John tells us that both “see and believe,” yet they head home as if nothing has changed.

Mary waits patiently behind, and after they leave, she enters the tomb and finds it empty.

Well not completely empty.

While Jesus was missing --- she saw two angels --- they were where the body of Jesus should have been.

Did Peter and the other disciple see these angels?

We don’t know, and I doubt that they did.

The angels asked Mary: “Why are you crying?”

I love her answer, because it is so genuine:

“They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 

We are then told that she sees another person there at the tomb and this person asks:

“Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Mary assumed he must be one of the caretakers of the garden replies:

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.”

Jesus calls her by name and her eyes were opened and she saw that Jesus was alive!

What I love about this story (and the resurrection stories that will follow) is that Jesus meets us right where we are.

Peter and the beloved disciples may have believed --- but they clearly didn’t understand yet that Jesus was alive.

So Jesus goes to them and we have the story of Thomas.

The disciples are locked up and hiding --- and yet Jesus comes.

Jesus is persistent with the disciples and Jesus is persistent with us in showing up. 

Easter is the reminder that Jesus is a cup that never runs dry. 

Easter is the reminder that no matter how battered and broken our cup is, God is filling it will love and forgiveness.

Each of us experience resurrection differently --- just as the disciples did.

For Mary it was hearing Jesus call her name

For Thomas it was seeing the nail holes

For the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and for Peter and many of the other disciples it was in the breaking of bread once again with Jesus.

When Jesus calls Mary by name, she finally recognizes him as her beloved “Rabbouni!” 

Immediately, Jesus tells Mary not to hold onto him because he has not yet ascended to God. 

Jesus also sends her to spread the good news to the other disciples. 

Like a flowing river or fountain, Jesus is alive and on the move – not an object to be possessed (held onto) or simply a doctrine to be believed. 

Just as water flows, Jesus, our living water, moves 

and moves us with him! 

The response Jesus asks of Mary is to get moving and spread the good news. 

So on this Easter morning, I pray that you experience the living Christ --- and that you have the courage to allow Jesus to fill your cup and share it with those you encounter.

Maybe that means asking for forgiveness

Or showing grace to someone who has hurt you

Regardless --- Jesus invites us to allow our cups --- our broken and battered lives --- to be filled to overflowing with the love and grace of God.

Jesus Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed!