THE BLESSING OF SACRED SPACE
August 15, 2024
Loving father, teach me to love and care for those that
need you today. May Jesus love for others be felt through me today. Amen.
Psalm 119:105
“Come to the table and feast on the wisdom of the Lord, for
His words are life and truth.”
Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me
in.”
John 21:12
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of
the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.”
Tables in the Bible represent the values of community, family, and steadfast presence. They serve as a place where people gather to understand and appreciate one another. The table is a visible representation of God’s dwelling with His people and His provision for them.
The table also symbolizes hospitality and service. In the Bible, we are called to extend kindness and care to others, mirroring God’s own hospitality. The table becomes a place where we welcome strangers, offering them a seat and a meal. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate God’s love and provision to those around us.
Furthermore, the table teaches us the importance of serving one another. Just as Jesus washed His disciples’ feet at the table, we are reminded to humble ourselves and serve those in our community. The act of serving at the table reflects the selflessness and sacrificial love that Christ exemplified throughout His ministry.
The table is a powerful symbol of community and sharing. Breaking bread and dining with others carries deep spiritual meaning. Jesus highlighted this during His time, often sharing meals with those society shunned. It's a gesture of inclusiveness, love, and the bond formed when people come together over food.
The Hebrew word for table, “Shulchan,” is used repeatedly in the Bible, emphasizing its importance in Hebrew language and culture. According to Hebrew culture the table represents community, compassion, and love. It serves as a gathering place where people come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The table is a symbol of unity, equality, and the interconnectedness of all things. It embodies the values of hospitality and inclusivity that are deeply rooted in Hebrew traditions. There is a teaching in the Talmud (a central text of application of the Scriptures) that says “Let your table always be laden, so that the poor may eat and be satisfied, and let the name of God be blessed.”
So, this week we have been thinking about our own “tables” who we sit with. Now, on Monday I suggested that we imagine a table where the people we see and meet are seated, and we suggested that our interaction with people around us, known or unknown, might be characterised by similar conversations we might have if we were seated at a table in our homes with them.
The table in Hebrew culture is a sacred space where individuals can find comfort, connection, and spiritual nourishment. It represents a place where God’s presence is felt, and where faith and love are shared. It is a reminder of the importance of community and the blessings that come from coming together around a table.
We need that sacred experience. Don’t we? Our families need that, our neighbors need that, our city needs that, … our world needs that. Doesn’t it?
I wonder what a difference it would make in our relationships and encounters if we began to think of these moments as “Table” meetings, as Sacred Space. Who might be at our tables?
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
LET US PRAY
Our fast-paced, always on the run, society results in us
passing by people every day without asking God or ourselves, if they could use
a compassionate word or action.
Today ask God how you could be more compassionate and
caring to those you meet.
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