Part 2: Will You Take a Seat at the King's Table?

"I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

When Jesus invites us to open the door, He immediately tells us where He wants to take us.

To His table.

Why a Meal?

I've often wondered why Jesus chose a meal to describe the relationship He desires with us. He could have said, "I'll come in and teach you." Or, "I'll come in and strengthen you." He could have promised wisdom, direction, healing, or answers to our questions.

Instead...

He invited us to dinner.

I don't think that was accidental.

Meals have always been about relationship. They are where conversations unfold, laughter is shared, hearts are opened, and people simply enjoy being together. No one rushes through a candlelight dinner with someone they deeply love. They linger because the person sitting across from them is worth lingering for.

I think that's exactly what Jesus is inviting us into. Not another Bible study. Not another spiritual discipline. Not another task to complete. Relationship. Real fellowship. The kind that changes you simply because you've been with Him.

How Hungry Are We?

One thing I've learned over the years is that Jesus prepares both the meal and the atmosphere. He sets the table with everything we need, but He never forces us into a depth of relationship we don't desire or aren't yet ready for. Love never forces itself. Instead, He graciously allows us to receive from Him according to the hunger of our own hearts.

I've often thought that our fellowship with Jesus can look a lot like the different meals we eat.

Some days it's little more than grabbing a quick snack before rushing out the door. We acknowledge Him, but only for a moment because life feels too busy.

Sometimes it's drive-thru Christianity. We pull up because we need something, peace, wisdom, help, strength and once we've received it, we're already on our way to the next thing.

Other times it's more like a family-style meal.

The platters are spread across the table, and we gladly receive what we need, picking and choosing what we want before getting back to life.

Jesus welcomes us every single time.

But I don't think those are the meals He dreams about.

Then there are the candlelight dinners. The table is beautifully prepared. The atmosphere invites you to slow down. You're no longer thinking about the food nearly as much as the One sitting across from you. Time seems to disappear because your heart is captivated by His presence. You linger because you don't want the evening to end.

Then there are those rare moments when something even deeper happens. You forget about everything else. The meal. The room. Even yourself.

All you see is Him.

His beauty captures your heart so completely that you become captivated, smitten, and enthralled by the King Himself.

I think that's where Jesus has been leading us all along.

A Seat at the King's Table

At first, most of us come because we need something. Peace. Wisdom. Direction. Healing. Strength. There is nothing wrong with that. Jesus welcomes us with open arms.

We don't have a place at His table because we've earned it.

We have a place because we are in covenant with Him.

That reminds me of Mephibosheth.

When Mephibosheth first learned King David wanted to see him, he expected judgment. Instead, he discovered kindness. Because of David's covenant with Jonathan, he was invited to eat continually at the king's table.

But David made something beautifully clear that day. He wasn't merely showing David's kindness.

He was revealing God's kindness.

From that moment on, Mephibosheth no longer lived as someone hiding in fear. He lived as a son welcomed to the king's table.

Isn't that exactly what Jesus has done for us? Not because we deserve a seat.

But because He desired us there.

The King Captures Our Hearts

Something beautiful happens when we stay at His table. Slowly, almost without realizing it, His gifts begin leading us to the Giver. One day we find ourselves no longer coming primarily for what He can do.

We simply want to be with Him.

The table has quietly done its work. The King has captured our hearts. His beauty has awakened our love.

Without even realizing it... we've become captivated by the King.

Perhaps that's why Jesus chose a table instead of a classroom. Because at His table we don't merely learn about Him.

We come to know Him.

Somewhere between the first bite and the lingering conversation, our hearts begin whispering the words we never thought we'd say... I want to be with Him. Just...

Him for Him.