What do you talk about around the dinner table? Do you just sit there in silence surrounded only by the sounds of tinkling glass and fork hitting plate? “Pass the butter, please.” “I’ll take a little more gravy.” Is your evening meal a race to see who finishes first? “May I be excused? My television program is starting.” “I have to leave for bowling.” “I’m going over to George’s to do homework.”
What do you talk about around the dinner table? Do you take out your frustrations from the day? “Mother, why did you have to make this same old hamburger dish again tonight? I’m tired of it.” “I had a terrible day at the office. No one was willing to cooperate. I’ve got a splitting headache.” “How was school today, Sue?” No answer. “How was school today, Sue?” No answer. “How was school today, Sue? Are you deaf?” “None of your business. You wouldn’t be interested anyway. What’s the matter? Are you afraid I got in trouble or something?”
How different that meal in the upper room when Jesus celebrated the Passover for the last time with His disciples. Yes, the disciples argued among themselves and accused each other. But Jesus focused their thoughts on the new covenant of His blood to be sealed by His death.
The Lord Jesus hosts us in the upper room as He gives us His own body and blood. By grace He prepares for us the heavenly feast where we will dine with Him forever. And He is present with His forgiving love at every meal we eat, whether hamburger or T-bone steak. He makes it possible for us to care for each other and speak helpful, encouraging words and to gather around His Word together. What do you talk about around the dinner table?
PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let Thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.
(Devotions form “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)