Invitations of Jesus Series: Episode 1 The Table

Hello, my walking friend! I bet you have already started walking – if so, yay you! Remember, 10 minutes of walking a day could increase your lifespan! So get your blood pumping and set your mind and heart to focus on Jesus.

Today is the 1^st episode in the Invitations of Jesus series. Today we are reflecting on Jesus’ invitation to dine at the King’s table – that is, to dine at his table!

Our verse to meditate on today is Luke 13:29 NIV:

People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Have you ever been invited to a fancy dinner party? Years ago, I was invited to a Marine Corps ball – that was fancy. Maybe you have been to an extravagant buffet, like an all you can eat lobster buffet. I may or may not have overindulged at one of them before. 

Well, many years before today’s scripture was written by Luke, a broken, young man was invited to dine at the king’s table, which would have been very fancy and indulgent. His name was Mephibosheth and he was an exile, a political exile, the only one left alive from his family. He was a young boy when his nanny took him and fled the danger. Sadly, she dropped him while carrying him and it caused so much damage to his legs that he could never walk right again. And then one day, when he was a young man, the new king, King David, wondered if there was anyone left of Jonathan’s family that he could bless. There was – Mephibosheth. From that moment on, Mephibosheth lived right next to the king’s palace and he had a standing invitation at the king’s table. 

Jesus, the king, is offering us the same invitation. He is inviting you, me, all of us broken human beings to accept his gift of salvation and dine at his table, at the feast in the kingdom of God. 

So take a little time now to meditate on Luke 13:29 and Jesus invitation to you:

People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? 

You can read the poem, The Table, in my poetry devotional entitled, Invitations Poetry Devotional.  

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus’ invitation to dine at his table, and what that means to us. 

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Lord,

You are the bread of life. You promise that whoever comes to you will not go hungry and whoever believes in you will not thirst. You have prepared a table for us and you invite us, broken, sinful people, to dine with you. Thank you for this invitation that came with such a dear price. I thank you in the precious name of Jesus, the one who invites me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

What was the most amazing meal you ever ate? Was it only good food or was there good companionship, too? How does it make you feel to think about dining with Jesus? Take some time to think about that now.

Consider that the heavenly delights that await you will be infinitely greater than the earthly delights in front of you. Is that hard for you to imagine? Try to imagine it now.

Has anyone ever treated you with extra kindness? Bought you a nice meal or gift or did something out of the ordinary for you? Maybe you were that person to someone else. How do you think our human kindness compares to God’s kindness? Take some time to answer that now.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Luke 13:29:

People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Well, you did it! 10 minutes of walking and 10 minutes of spending time meditating on Jesus! I hope you will accept every invitation that Jesus offers you!

Today’s podcast was adapted from my poetry devotional called Invitations. For information on this devotional, or any Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to LynneLeite.com.  You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another invitation from Jesus. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.