I’ve been reading and studying through Lysa TerKeurst’s new book Forgiving What You Can’t Forget and as always, she speaks right to my heart. I read something today she said that really spoke to my heart. She said, “The table is the perfect place for the broken and battered to find redemption and restoration from the provider of the meal- Jesus.” I had to stop and read that one twice as I considered what she was saying.
The reason it caught my attention was because of the memories it evoked. Growing up, my grandparent’s table was one of my favorite places to be. Yes, food was a huge part of that, but there was more to it than that. It was the love and fellowship I found there. You see; we rarely ever rushed through a meal at my grandparent’s table. We ate slowly and we talked. I can remember lingering around that table, even after we had pushed our plates back, just talking to one another.
There is another memory that comes to mind as well. You see; you had to “earn the right” to sit at the table at my grandparent’s house. What I mean is this. The little kids had their own table and you had to reach the age that you could squeeze in at the big table. I well remember waiting on that day to arrive for me. Knowing that all are welcome at Jesus’ is a lovely thought indeed! It means a lot to me that I am always welcome at His table!
I love the idea of being welcomed at Jesus’ table, a place where the bruised and broken are always welcomed. His table is the ultimate place of loving fellowship and healing. Is your soul thirsty and dry? Come to the table where you will find Living Water waiting on you. Are you hungry? Are you looking for something to fill the emptiness inside your heart? Come to the table, my friend, Jesus is waiting here for you. He alone can fill your soul’s deepest need.
Lysa is right, beloved, you will find the healing and restoration you need at Jesus’ table. How do I know? I know because I have experienced it for myself. I came to His table battered and broken and found the help and healing I needed. I still have a way to go, but praise God, He has done a lot of work in my heart and life. Sitting at His table, conversing with Him, I have found healing; I have found hope. The love that others denied, He freely gives to me.
I cannot explain to you how amazing it is to be welcomed at His table. I cannot accurately describe to you the amazement of knowing that He loves me and wants to spend time with me. And you want to know something else amazing? I didn’t have to earn the right to sit at His table. He freely invites me to come and dine with Him. “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love” Song of Solomon 2:4. All are welcome at His table.
My friend, I do not pretend to know what troubles may be burdening your heart today, but this I do know. You will find what you need at Jesus’ table. Come to the table and you will find rest; you will find healing. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30.
There’s plenty of room for you here at the table, my friend, and you are always welcomed. Come to the table; let Jesus speak to your heart and bring the healing you need. Let Him give you the peace that you are searching for. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. My friend, come to the table, pull up a chair, and lay your burdens down. Find the rest you seek today!
Katrina Douglas
1/25/21
