A Seat at the Table

Have you ever felt out of place?  That strange, sinking feeling that people get when they realize they were picked last for the dodge-ball team maybe?  Or the sudden awareness that you have gone to a party and didn't catch the memo stating it was a formal affair - so you showed up wearing a t-shirt and sneakers?  Whatever the details may have been, I believe it is a truism to say that most people have felt out of place at one time or another.  It's so easy to feel like we don't fit in or don't belong sometimes.

For me, this first occurred during a Little League season right around fifth grade.  I was a late walk-on to the team, and I simply wasn't very good.  One of my friends had convinced me to give it a try.  I lacked the years of experience that the other kids had, along with a general confusion about where I was supposed to throw the ball at any given moment.  Apparently it's always safe to throw it to the pitcher they told me, except for when it wasn't, and unless the coach tells you otherwise.  That's assuming you can hear the coach over the dull roar of parents in the bleachers anyway.  You get the idea - I'm not a natural baseball player.    

Sufficed to say, I really didn't fit in on that team.  My favorite part of the game was after it was over, because we got a quick visit to the snack bar for icy cones.  I am proud to say that for my own kids, this lack of ability to play team sports seems to have skipped a generation.  In fact, two of the three do quite well with baseball and softball.  My role has switched to become one of the parents in the stands.  

When we take this analogy into the spiritual arena, you will be relieved to know that membership in the divine family of God isn't the same as walking into a new and unfamiliar sport.  It is less intimidating I think.  In fact, Jesus often talked about the importance of declaring affiliation with himself and the Father.  

John 15:5 says, "I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  We might learn from this I think, that it is much better to be part of the vine … part of the grand design that is the Holy Trinity.  Better to affiliate and claim membership to that which is life-giving and sustainable.  After all, no one wants to be 'pruned' out of the main vine, right?

There is another curious theme that runs through the New Testament.  Jesus tells a number of parables relating to the kingdom of heaven by way of the banquet metaphor.  We are told that the Lord will welcome His guests into His house and provide them a seat at the "banquet table."  We are also told not to seek out the most important and affluent chair at the table, but rather to remain humble and sit with the other guests.  We are simply to be grateful just to be there and enjoy the food.  It's much easier to fit in that way.  

Matthew 22:2-4 tells us, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.  Then he sent some more servants and said,'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready.  Come to the wedding banquet."

We have now this portrait before us.  There will be an amazing wedding banquet someday.  It will consist of those who are invited, if they choose to come.  The parable says that many will give excuses as to why they cannot attend.  They are busy with work or other obligations.  These declarations will all fall flat on that great day by the way.  But for the guests at the feast who show up, the entrees served will be love and acceptance - they will have a seat at the table reserved just for them.  No more feeling out of place, and no more wondering whether or not to throw the baseball to the pitcher or to first base.  The voices of the cheering parents in the stands will be replaced and overshadowed by the glow of Christ's light.  He is the vine, we are the branches … the way things were always supposed to be.  

Now I don't believe it follows, by the way, that any and every sin will be allowed into the banquet hall along with the guests.  In fact, there is mention made in the parable about an unknown man who had snuck into the feast without the proper clothing.  True he doesn't fit in, but for good reason.  He has not sought after forgiveness, has no interest in repentance, and does not accept Jesus as the vine.  After being discovered, the story says that he is dismissed out into the cold … just past the banquet hall doors.  Have no fear, people like that will never get their hands on your seat at the table; it doesn't work that way.  

But we know that this fate isn't predestined of course, otherwise the good news of the Gospel wouldn't be so good at all.  So how do you and I make sure that we are 'dressed appropriately' for the feast?  We call upon the name of Christ to save and uphold us.  We ask to be a branch on his vine.  We respond with an RSVP to the party ahead of time.  Scripture says salvation is open to anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord - so call upon it now.  Get right with God, and please show up to the banquet on time.  

The born-again Christian has assurance that eternity will be spent with a loving God, in a mansion with many rooms, and a seat reserved just for you.  There will be no more loneliness, confusion, or feeling out of place.  No more pain or suffering - that will be the old order of things.  Instead, we get to live forever in a type of fulfilled abundance that we have never known before.  We will be accepted and loved.  We will have a seat at the table.  

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