Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Table.
The word brings to mind the image of the last supper Jesus had with His disciples. Gathered around the table was the one one who doubt, the one who would deny, and the one who would betray Him.
Yet they all had a place at His table.
The familiar tune and words begin to flood my thoughts:
“Come and dine,†the Master calleth, “Come and dineâ€;
You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now.”(from the hymn, “Come and Dine”)
It is to the table He still calls me to come and dine. To my ordinary tables with my coffee and Bible spread open before me, I can feast on His Word and find life, hope, and peace for all my needs.
“Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, “Come and dineâ€;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!”(from the hymn, “Come and Dine”)
His table is the place where no one is kept out because they have strayed or messed up. His table is where all wandering ends and we come home.
“Come and dine.†The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, “Come and dineâ€;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.”(from the hymn, “Come and Dine”)
Even after He was doubted, denied, and betrayed, Jesus bid His disciples:
“Now come and have some breakfast!†Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?†They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.” (John 21:12-13, NLT)
And He still bids us to come and dine at His table:
“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.” (Isaiah 55:2, NKJV)
His Table …
where every need is met and
every heart is satisfied.
Today I am joining …
As soon as I saw your prompt “table”, my thoughts went in the same direction as yours did. Have a wonderful weekend, Joanne.
I love that His table is precious to so many!
I love that Jesus invites all to the table. He’s not picky like we are. He invites all and has room for all. This is beautiful.
Yes, may we be more like Him and open our table to all.
Come on in and sit a spell,
this place is yours by right;
and if, by looking you can’t tell,
know Jesus will not bite
for he’s the one that put the setting
right before your seat,
not knowing, no, but hoping, betting,
that you’d drop by to eat.
Your meal’s already paid for,
and so is your cigar
to smoke outside the open door
underneath the stars
that shine tonight, for you and Him
as they once shone at Bethlehem.
Andrew, how precious is the thought that He has had the table ready and waiting for each of us.
Oh my word, THAT song came to my find too! Are we sisters from other mothers?
We are blessed to be sisters who each had mothers that faithfully filled our hearts and minds with Jesus. xo
We are loved, accepted, offered both grace and mercy – gathered around His table! As always, I am encouraged when I stop by!
So very grateful you visit here as you always encourage me.
I don’t think I’m familiar with this hymn. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a very old hymn. I am always amazed when they flow through my thoughts as I have not heard it in years 🙂
I love that old song! I often think of it or even sing snippets of it when I’m calling my people to my table. Appreciate all the beautiful thoughts that you added to it today.