Chairs of Remembrance: Embracing Presence and Absence
Summary
In this message, I reflect on the poignant symbolism of chairs, especially during the Christmas season, when families gather and the presence or absence of loved ones is deeply felt. The image of an empty chair evokes a sense of longing and remembrance, reminding us of those who are no longer with us or who cannot be present. This theme is echoed in the story of David and Jonathan from the Old Testament, where David's absence at the family table signifies the deep brokenness and unresolved tensions within his family. This narrative highlights the universal experience of familial brokenness and the ache of empty places in our lives.
Chairs also serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. In Jewish tradition, the empty chair at the Seder meal, known as the Elijah chair, symbolizes the hope for divine intervention and the presence of God in our lives. It is a reminder of our need for God's help to set right what we cannot fix on our own. This longing for divine presence is fulfilled in the person of Jesus, whose birth and ministry brought a new understanding of God's kingdom. Jesus' life and sacrifice offer us a place of rest and acceptance with God, as symbolized by the chair in heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, signifying the completion of His work.
As we go about our daily lives, the chairs we encounter can remind us of God's presence and the people who have shaped our lives. Whether at work, at the dining table, or in moments of solitude, we are invited to invite Jesus into our spaces and to remember those who have gone before us. The chairs in our lives, both filled and empty, are a testament to the relationships and experiences that have been a blessing to us, and they serve as a reminder that we are never alone, for God is with us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The empty chair is a powerful symbol of longing and remembrance, reminding us of the loved ones who are absent and the brokenness in our families that only God can heal. It calls us to acknowledge our need for divine intervention in our lives. [00:49]
2. The story of David and Jonathan illustrates the universal experience of familial brokenness and the ache of empty places. It teaches us that while some relationships may not be restored in this world, God's presence offers hope and healing. [01:29]
3. The Elijah chair in Jewish tradition symbolizes the hope for God's presence and intervention. It reminds us of our dependence on God to set right what we cannot fix ourselves, echoing the longing for divine help in our lives. [05:04]
4. Jesus' life and sacrifice provide us with a place of rest and acceptance with God. His seated position at the right hand of God signifies the completion of His work, offering us freedom from guilt and the assurance of God's love. [08:48]
5. The chairs in our lives, whether filled or empty, are reminders of God's presence and the people who have shaped us. They invite us to bring our loved ones before God and to rest in the assurance that we are not alone. [09:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - The Symbolism of the Empty Chair
- [01:03] - David and Jonathan's Story
- [02:06] - Family Gatherings and Seating
- [03:11] - Cherished Memories and Chairs
- [04:07] - Two Chairs in the Bible
- [05:04] - The Elijah Chair
- [06:25] - Jesus and John the Baptist
- [07:19] - The Tabernacle and the Chair
- [08:33] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Rest
- [09:21] - Inviting Jesus into Our Spaces
- [10:08] - Remembering Loved Ones
- [10:35] - The Blessing of Chairs and Presence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 20:18-24 - The story of David and Jonathan's absence at the family table.
2. Malachi 4:5-6 - The prophecy about Elijah and the turning of hearts.
3. Hebrews 10:11-14 - Jesus' sacrifice and His seated position at the right hand of God.
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of David and Jonathan, what was the significance of David's absence at the family table? How did it reflect the brokenness within his family? [01:29]
2. What is the purpose of the Elijah chair in Jewish tradition, and how does it symbolize hope for divine intervention? [05:04]
3. According to Hebrews 10:11-14, what does Jesus' seated position at the right hand of God signify about His work and our relationship with God?
4. How does the sermon describe the role of chairs in our daily lives as reminders of God's presence and the people who have shaped us? [09:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of David and Jonathan illustrate the universal experience of familial brokenness, and what hope does it offer for healing through God's presence? [01:29]
2. In what ways does the Elijah chair remind us of our dependence on God to set right what we cannot fix ourselves? How does this relate to our own spiritual journeys? [05:04]
3. What does Jesus' life and sacrifice teach us about finding rest and acceptance with God, and how does this understanding impact our daily lives? [08:48]
4. How can the symbolism of chairs in our lives, both filled and empty, serve as a testament to the relationships and experiences that have been a blessing to us? [09:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the ache of an empty chair in your life. How did you seek God's presence and healing in that situation? [00:49]
2. Consider the relationships in your life that may be broken or strained. How can you invite God's presence into those situations to bring hope and healing? [01:29]
3. The Elijah chair symbolizes our longing for divine intervention. What is one area in your life where you need to rely on God's help to set things right? [05:04]
4. Jesus' sacrifice offers us rest and acceptance with God. How can you embrace this truth in your daily life to find freedom from guilt and assurance of God's love? [08:48]
5. Think about the chairs in your life that remind you of loved ones who have shaped you. How can you honor their influence and bring them before God in gratitude? [09:52]
6. How can you intentionally invite Jesus into your daily spaces, whether at work, at the dining table, or in moments of solitude? [09:52]
7. Identify a specific relationship or experience that has been a blessing to you. How can you express gratitude to God for this blessing and share it with others? [10:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Ache of Absence
The empty chair is a poignant symbol of longing and remembrance, especially during times when families gather. It serves as a reminder of loved ones who are no longer with us or who cannot be present, highlighting the brokenness in our families that only God can heal. This symbol calls us to acknowledge our need for divine intervention in our lives, as we navigate the pain of absence and the hope for restoration. The story of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament illustrates this universal experience of familial brokenness, where David's absence at the family table signifies unresolved tensions and deep longing. [00:49]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: Who is an absent loved one you long to see again? How can you invite God into that space of longing today?
Day 2: Hope Amidst Brokenness
The story of David and Jonathan is a powerful illustration of the universal experience of familial brokenness and the ache of empty places. While some relationships may not be restored in this world, God's presence offers hope and healing. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's ability to mend what is broken and to bring peace to our hearts, even when reconciliation seems impossible. It reminds us that God's love transcends our earthly struggles and that His presence can fill the voids left by broken relationships. [01:29]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a broken relationship in your life that needs God's healing touch? How can you invite His presence into that situation today?
Day 3: The Promise of Divine Intervention
In Jewish tradition, the Elijah chair at the Seder meal symbolizes the hope for God's presence and intervention. It serves as a reminder of our dependence on God to set right what we cannot fix ourselves, echoing the longing for divine help in our lives. This symbol points to the promise of God's intervention and the assurance that He is actively working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. It encourages us to place our trust in Him and to seek His guidance in all areas of our lives. [05:04]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God's intervention? How can you actively seek His guidance and help today?
Day 4: Rest and Acceptance in Christ
Jesus' life and sacrifice provide us with a place of rest and acceptance with God. His seated position at the right hand of God signifies the completion of His work, offering us freedom from guilt and the assurance of God's love. This powerful image invites us to find our rest in Christ, knowing that His sacrifice has made a way for us to be reconciled with God. It encourages us to embrace the peace and acceptance that come from being in a relationship with Him. [08:48]
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, ESV)
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to lay at Jesus' feet? How can you find rest in His completed work today?
Day 5: The Presence of God in Our Lives
The chairs in our lives, whether filled or empty, are reminders of God's presence and the people who have shaped us. They invite us to bring our loved ones before God and to rest in the assurance that we are not alone. This symbol encourages us to recognize the blessings of relationships and experiences that have enriched our lives and to invite Jesus into our daily spaces. It serves as a testament to the enduring presence of God, who walks with us through every season of life. [09:52]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a space in your daily life to acknowledge God's presence? What practical steps can you take to invite Him into your everyday moments?
Quotes
In the Jewish tradition, the seder meal, which is a time to remember God's Deliverance, God's bringing his people out of bondage and slavery and his being with them, that was the primary characteristic that would distinguish them, Moses said, was that they would be with God. God's presence would go with them. [00:04:32]
And so when people gather together around the table, they do this as families that say the real, and they drink the wine and they eat the bread, but they will leave one chair empty, and that's called the Elijah chair. And that's a reminder, the very final words of the Old Testament in the Book of Malachi, are those words about Elijah that he will come. [00:04:51]
You might remember in the story of Elijah, he did not actually die. He was taken up in a chariot to be with God, and so there was that yearning, that longing that we all have, oh God, oh God, I need you to set right what I cannot fix. And so when they would see that empty chair to this day, when they see that empty chair, it's a reminder. [00:05:18]
We need the help of heaven. We need the presence of God. I can't, God can. That's the ache and the longing of the empty chair. And then one more chair, Jesus made quite a remarkable statement when he was involved in his ministry and he was talking about John the Baptist. [00:05:29]
The writer of Hebrews talks about the human condition and how in the Tabernacle, there was a lot of furniture. There was an altar for sacrifices, there was a wash basin, there was a table, there was a lamp, but there was no chair in the Tabernacle because the work of the priests was never done. [00:07:09]
Because a fresh sacrifice for sin would always have to be offered because sin keeps going on. And I want to say a word about that too. You know, we're talking about being with God and I will talk about the goodness of it sometimes as though I always want to, but I don't. [00:07:24]
Every priest stands, they keep standing and performs his religious duties again and again. He offers the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. That about Jesus, but when this priest Jesus had offered for all time on the cross one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [00:08:30]
And since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. There is a chair in heaven and it is a throne and there is one who sat down on it and that one is Jesus. And what that means is that our guilt, our failures, our inadequacy, our insufficiency no longer has to be the last word. [00:08:55]
I can rest in what he did and you can do, and when he came to begin in that little major at Christmas time, grew to Ultimate and remarkable and mysterious fulfillment on that cross and then he sat down, and he still does. So today when you look at a chair, I want to invite you to think of that life with God. [00:09:13]
When you go to sit down in a chair at your work, invite Jesus to be with you as you sit there. When you go to sit down at a table to eat, invite Jesus to be there with you. When you look at the other chairs around the table and you see an empty chair and you think of the person that you love who is no longer here or who does not want to sit in that chair. [00:09:36]
You bring them before God as well. When you look at an empty chair, you think about the people that have gone before you that spoke into your life, parents or grandparents or teachers or siblings, others who have loved you. Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God that you are with me, that you have been with me through these people. [00:09:57]
The cherish of our lives and the people who have sat in them are an unbelievable blessing and expression of the presence in favor of our God, and especially of Jesus, who has now taken care of letting us know that we have been fully accepted by God and he sat down so sit down today and rest. You Are Not Alone. [00:10:23]
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