Corona Devo 3122

Jesus has saved us a seat at the table with Him today.  

He has prepared everything for us, even Himself...and He invites us to join Him.  

And this--this is a special supper--not because of the menu items or the guests that will attend, but because of the host, and because of His heart and desire for each of us at the table with Him.  Jesus wants us here at the table with Him.

And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.   ~Luke 22:15

The table is technically set for thirteen: Jesus and His twelve disciples, but there is room for you and me at the table.

The supper isn't even being held at one of their homes, it is instead hosted by an unknown but obedient follower of Jesus who is providing his home (upper room) for the dinner.  
(Has Jesus asked anything of us lately?  Have we obeyed?)

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

(13) So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. (14) Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ (15) He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

(16) The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. ~Mark 14:12-16

Jesus invites us to the table with Him today, even though He knows that we will betray and deny Him sometimes.  Jesus knows that we are sinful and weak and fallible, and yet He loves us and invites us still.

Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him unto death and yet Jesus still set Judas a place at the table.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. (21) And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 

(22) They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 

(23) Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. (24) The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 

(25) Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” 

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”  ~Matthew 26:20-25

But it wasn't just the juxtaposition of Judas at the supper table with Jesus--it was Peter too.  And it is all of us.  

Peter spoke passionately about his devotion to Jesus, and we do too.  However, even very recently, I have been convicted of situations where I did not speak-up about Jesus or where I was not strong enough to present or defend Him in public when I should have.  

No--Judas and Peter are not alone in denying and betraying Jesus.  We are guilty also, and yet--He still reserves us a place at the table with Him today.

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd,  and the sheep will be scattered.’ 

(28) But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 

(29) Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 

(30) “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 

(31) But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.  ~Mark 14:27-31

 The amazing, incredible, differentiating-thing (from every other god) about our Lord is that He knows that we can never earn His love and forgiveness, and yet, He offers us a seat at the table beside Him anyway.  He invites us into the holy experience of communion with Him...anyway.

We don't belong, but Jesus says that we do.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 

(27) Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. (28) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  ~Matthew 26:26-28

So...get on in here.  There's room at the supper table of our Savior, and He has set a place for us.  

And Jesus also knows what's next--for Him and for us.  
He...is going to be beaten and ridiculed and flogged and crucified.  He is going to die.
We...like the disciples and others who were loyal to the Lord, we are going to freak out in fear and sorrow when that does happen.  

But--while Jesus is breaking bread and pouring wine to evidence His body and blood (about) to be shed for the disciples and us...Jesus gives a word of encouragement to those at the table, because they are about to need it. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (2) My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (4) You know the way to the place where I am going.”  ~John 14:1-4

Some of the final words of Jesus are to remind His disciples (and us!) that we have a seat with Him at the table--both today and tomorrow.

Let's join Him.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com