“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5

Who doesn’t like to receive an invitation? It could be a formal card in the mail to be a guest at a birthday party or wedding. A phone call or text from a friend to grab coffee or lunch is a fun invitation. It feels good to be invited! You may have even been invited to listen to the Ardently His podcast.

A few weeks ago, my team met at our branch manager’s home because we’re moving into a new office, and the boxes have taken over most of the space. When it came time for the lunch delivery, we gathered in the kitchen for the self-serve lunch buffet. I waited until the end of the line and walked into the dining room with my plate, and noticed the table was full. I returned to the kitchen and found the breakfast table full too. No seats were left, so I sat at the kitchen island where we had set up the lunch buffet. I don’t mind eating alone, not even a little bit. It didn’t hurt my feelings or leave me feeling left out. But as I sat there eating, I thought about how we can unintentionally leave others out. It’s easy to do!

How often do we grab a seat and never notice others still looking for one?

The point of this story is not to shame my co-workers. Instead, let it remind my heart to notice others before I settle in, because it’s easy to overlook someone who needs a seat. There’s always room at the table for one more.

Today, I want to share three examples in Scripture that remind us to extend the invitation and make room at our own tables for one more, and they point us to why that matters.

First, in II Samuel 9, we read the account of King David and Mephibosheth.

King David was best friends with Mephibosheth’s dad, Jonathan, the son of King Saul. They had a deep friendship and loved each other like brothers. Sadly, Jonathan died along with many of his family members, but Mephibosheth was alive and well with a family to care for. When King David learned that Jonathan still had a son alive, he searched for Mephibosheth, found him, and invited him in, offering him all the benefits of eating at his table. In this way, David was intentionally seeking out an opportunity to be a blessing to someone.

Mephibosheth had nothing to offer the king, no form of payment. He hadn’t earned the right to sit at the king’s table, but because of David’s kindness and his relationship with Jonathan, he welcomed him in. What a beautiful picture of grace! We have nothing to offer, no merit of our own, but because of Jesus’ relationship with His Father, we are invited to eat at the King’s table. He has invited you, and there’s always room for one more.

Next, Psalm 23, written by King David himself, points to this same truth.

He sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies. In the same way, Jesus is setting the table and inviting us to daily abide in Him, offering us the abundance of His presence. I can picture Jesus setting down a plate and glass, polishing my fork, and folding my napkin into a fancy design. What a beautiful table He has set for us to abide with Him. Our enemy knows this, and he can see how the Father lavishes His love on us! He has invited us to sit at His table, enjoy His presence, and enjoy him.  But we can’t just keep Him to ourselves. Jesus gave clear instructions to invite others and make disciples.  

 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 

Finally, in Acts, we read the account of the first church.

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

Those brand-new, baby Christians gathered daily in their homes and shared all they had for the advancement of the Gospel and God’s kingdom. The Lord added daily to the number of those being saved. Everyone was invited, and there was always room for one more. How can we model that today? Who do you have room for at your table? We can always find the one who needs to be discipled; let’s invite them in.

One day, all who are in Christ will be seated at a new table. There, we’re all invited to the final table at the marriage supper of the Lamb. That table will be full of God’s goodness, and it will be a celebration like none other before it. There will be no shortage of seats, and Jesus will be there to dine with us and celebrate His marriage to the church. There’s always room for one more.

So who can we share our tables with today? Who do you know who needs to hear the good news that Jesus has invited you to dine with Him now and forever in eternity? Let’s look for one more, then make room and invite them in. There’s always room at the table for one more.

Ardently His,

Jessica

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