Everyone's Invitation: A Seat at the Table

Devotional

Day 1: Belonging Amidst Brokenness

The church is a sanctuary for those who feel out of place, burdened by their past, and seeking a sense of belonging. It is a community where no one has it all figured out, and everyone is on a journey to walk with Jesus daily. The church is a place for messy people, where the focus is on grace and growth rather than perfection. This understanding encourages us to embrace our imperfections and the imperfections of others, knowing that we are all united in our pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ. [20:03]

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt out of place or unworthy. How can you extend grace to yourself and others in similar situations today?

Day 2: Radical Invitation

Jesus' invitation to Judas, the betrayer, to the table is a profound demonstration of love and grace. This act serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of their past, has a seat at the table. It challenges us to extend the same grace and love to those we might consider unworthy or beyond redemption. The invitation to the table is not about merit but about the boundless grace of Jesus, who welcomes all to experience His love and forgiveness. [32:08]

"And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, 'Take; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'" (Mark 14:22-24, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might you be hesitant to invite to your table? How can you extend an invitation of grace and love to them this week?

Day 3: The Great Exchange

The Lord's Supper symbolizes the great exchange—our broken, sinful lives for holiness and righteousness in Jesus. It is a moment to reflect on the broken body of Jesus and the redemption offered through His blood. This exchange is not just a transaction but a transformation, inviting us to live in the newness of life that Jesus offers. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the new identity we have in Him. [36:17]

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life need transformation through the great exchange? How can you embrace your new identity in Christ today?

Day 4: Extending the Invitation

As we approach Easter, we are challenged to invite others to the table, to share the story of redemption and new life. This invitation is not limited to those we are comfortable with but extends to everyone, including those who seem unlikely or undeserving. The grace and love of Jesus are for all, and we are called to be ambassadors of this message, inviting others to experience the transformative power of Christ's love. [39:04]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can invite to experience the love of Jesus this Easter season? What steps can you take to extend this invitation?

Day 5: Unworthiness and Grace

None of us are worthy, yet we are all invited to the table. This is a testament to God's grace, offering us forgiveness and resurrection life. The invitation to the table is a reminder that our worthiness is not based on our actions but on the grace of God. As we accept this invitation, we are also given the opportunity to bring others into this experience, sharing the message of grace and redemption with those around us. [39:04]

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you struggled with feelings of unworthiness? How can you embrace God's grace and extend it to others today?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the journey from a small country church to a megachurch, I shared my personal experiences of feeling out of place and how this relates to the broader experience of belonging in the church. Many people, when they come to church, feel like they don't belong, carrying with them a U-Haul of baggage. Yet, the church is a place for messy people, a place where no one has it all figured out. We are all trying to walk with Jesus every day, and the church should be a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their past or present struggles.

I recounted the story of Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper with His disciples, highlighting the significance of this act. Jesus, knowing He would be betrayed, still invited Judas to the table, demonstrating a profound love and grace. This act of inviting Judas, the betrayer, to the table is a powerful reminder that everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of their past. The Lord's Supper is a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice, His body broken and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is a reminder of the great exchange—our broken, sinful lives for holiness and righteousness in Jesus.

As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are invited to reflect on the broken body of Jesus and the redemption offered through His blood. This is a moment to confess, to acknowledge our part in the brokenness, and to embrace the new life offered through Jesus. The story of redemption is not just about the past; it is about the present and the future. It is about inviting others to the table, to experience the new life in Christ.

As we approach Easter, the challenge is to invite others to the table, to share the story of redemption and new life. Whether it's a friend, a neighbor, or even someone who seems unlikely, everyone deserves an invitation to experience the grace and love of Jesus. We are all unworthy, yet we are all invited to the table.

Key Takeaways

1. Belonging in the Church: Many people feel out of place when they come to church, burdened by their past. Yet, the church is a place for messy people, where no one has it all figured out. We are all on a journey, trying to walk with Jesus every day. [20:03]
2. The Invitation to the Table: Jesus invited Judas, the betrayer, to the table, demonstrating a profound love and grace. This act reminds us that everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of their past. [32:08]
3. The Great Exchange: The Lord's Supper symbolizes the great exchange—our broken, sinful lives for holiness and righteousness in Jesus. It is a moment to reflect on the broken body of Jesus and the redemption offered through His blood. [36:17]
4. Inviting Others to the Table: As we approach Easter, we are challenged to invite others to the table, to share the story of redemption and new life. Everyone deserves an invitation to experience the grace and love of Jesus. [39:04]
5. Unworthiness and Grace: None of us are worthy, yet we are all invited to the table. This is a testament to God's grace, offering us forgiveness and resurrection life. We have the opportunity to bring others into this experience. [39:04]
** [39:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - From Small Church to Megachurch
[03:30] - Feeling Out of Place
[06:15] - The Church for Messy People
[09:00] - The Story of the Lord's Supper
[12:30] - Judas at the Table
[15:45] - The Great Exchange
[18:20] - Reflecting on the Broken Body
[21:00] - The Cup of Redemption
[24:30] - Inviting Others to the Table
[27:15] - Unworthiness and Grace
[30:00] - Preparing for Easter
[32:45] - Closing Hymn and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Matthew 26:20-29
Exodus 12:1-14

Observation Questions:

What was the significance of Jesus inviting Judas to the table during the Last Supper? How does this reflect on the concept of belonging in the church? [32:08]
In the sermon, the pastor mentioned feeling out of place at a youth ministry conference. How does this experience relate to the feelings some people have when they come to church? [20:03]
What are the symbolic elements of the Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples, and how did He give them new meaning? [36:17]
How did the pastor describe the experience of participating in the Lord's Supper at his brother-in-law's church, and what does this reveal about the challenges of feeling comfortable in church settings? [32:08]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the act of Jesus inviting Judas to the table challenge our understanding of grace and forgiveness within the church community? [32:08]
The pastor described the church as a place for "messy people." How does this perspective influence the way we view our own and others' imperfections within the church? [20:03]
In what ways does the symbolism of the Lord's Supper as described in the sermon deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and the concept of the "great exchange"? [36:17]
How can the story of the Passover in Exodus 12 help us understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb of God? [36:17]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt out of place in a church setting. How did you handle it, and what can you do to help others feel more welcome in similar situations? [20:03]
The pastor mentioned that the church is a place for "messy people." How can you personally contribute to creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment in your church community? [20:03]
Jesus invited Judas to the table despite knowing he would betray Him. Is there someone in your life who you find difficult to forgive or include? How can you extend grace to them this week? [32:08]
As Easter approaches, who is someone in your life that you can invite to experience the grace and love of Jesus? What steps will you take to extend that invitation? [39:04]
The pastor spoke about the "great exchange" of our broken lives for holiness in Jesus. What is one area of your life where you need to embrace this exchange more fully? [36:17]
Consider the symbolism of the Lord's Supper. How can you incorporate the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice into your daily life, beyond just participating in communion? [36:17]
The pastor shared a story about feeling unworthy. How do you deal with feelings of unworthiness, and how can you remind yourself of your worth in Christ? [39:04]

Sermon Clips

And they want to come. They want to be there just like I wanted to be at that table of those other youth pastors. They want to be there, but they feel like they're not just bringing a suitcase. They feel like they're bringing the U-Haul truck of baggage, and they come in, and we want this. We want greeters who are smiling and making people feel welcome and comfortable. That's what we want. But sometimes they're like, man, I have all this baggage, and I'm coming to this place where everybody has got it kind of figured out. Listen, if that's you, like your guest, I just want you to know we say that we're a messy church for messy people because our baggage is brought to. Like there's nobody here that's got it figured out. I don't have it figured out. I'm just trying to walk with Jesus every day. So we say we're a messy church. [00:12:57] (42 seconds) Edit Clip

now there may have been one bowl that everybody used we don't know what we do know is traditionally the table was set up and they would recline on the floor around a small table set up like a U with the master in the center so Jesus is in the center there's a U table they're gathered around he may be talking symbolically we don't know that hey just one of you that's eating here with me is gonna betray me if and this is just a possibility the Bible doesn't tell us if though there's more than one bowl you know like our salsa bowls at a big table in Texas if there's more than one bowl we know that John the disciple is sitting on one side of Jesus because John tells us that if Jesus is referring to a bowl that's close to him then that means that Judas who will find out in a second who is the betrayer may be sitting at Jesus side in a place of honor maybe we don't know but here's what we do know unequivocally scripture tells us Judas had a seat at the table [00:27:18] (67 seconds) Edit Clip

Judas the betrayer had a seat at the table and Jesus knew all along talk about being in a place that you don't fit being a place you don't belong I'll take 23 years old with all those youth pastors all day long feeling out of place and I was sitting at a table with 13 of the closest people and Jesus the Messiah saying one of you is gonna betray me we don't know if Judas sat right next to him in that seat of honor but we do know he was invited to the table verse 24 for the son of man must die Jesus is talking as the scriptures declared long ago but how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him it would be far better for that man if he had never been born verse 25 Judas the one who would betray him also asked rabbi teacher am I the one and Jesus told him you've said it out of your mouth Judas the evening cab each other and he knew he knew the truth will if he was there [00:28:24] (59 seconds) Edit Clip

And the lamb that we just ate and we remembered the lamb whose blood was shed and painted over the door frames to the angel of death that passed by. The lamb that you're going to remember and the blood that you're going to remember isn't of the lamb. It's going to be mine. And it's going to be painted over the doorway of your home, your life, to provide salvation and forgiveness of sin for you. And in verse 26, he says this. As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. [00:31:57] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples saying, take this and eat it for this is my body. It's all, it's brand new. Nobody, they'd not heard that before. They hadn't broken the cracker, the bread and said, hey, this is my body. But Jesus is bringing a brand new symbolism. What we see now is a couple of things. This bread without yeast, yeast in the New Testament later is going to be used as a symbol of sin. So this bread is a picture of holiness. It's a picture of the bread that they're taking with them on the journey out of Egypt. And Jesus is saying, hey, my body, my life that is going to be resurrected is going to be food for your journey. Like I'm going with you. But it's more than that. It's broken bread. It's a broken body. We celebrate Good Friday. We call it good. And outside of a Christian experience, it's anything but good because the body of Jesus was broken. [00:32:46] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

Not a bone was broken because the Old Testament prophesied that wouldn't happen. But everything else was. His back was ripped to shreds by being whipped 39 times most likely. We know he was scourged. That's the way the Romans did it. The 40 minus 1. 39 lashes because 40 would typically kill somebody. [00:34:03] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

A crown of thorns pushed down onto his head. Not rosebush thorns from Texas, but Middle Eastern bramble thorns that cut into his head. [00:34:23] (11 seconds) Edit Clip

When they come to make sure he's dead, they plunge a spear into his side and the scripture says what looked like blood and water came out. A scientist will tell you that's called plural effusion. The stress that Jesus' body had been under from the night before when he began praying and his disciples betrayed him and left him to the beatings that he took, the scourging that he took, the crown of thorns that he took, the purple robe that was put on his beaten up back and then ripped off, the nails are driven to his hands, had created such trauma in his body that his body had literally began breaking down at a cellular level and his chest cavity had began filling up with the water that your body is made of and when the spear goes in, what looks like blood and water comes out. A broken body. And Judas, who was responsible for the broken body, was invited to the table. [00:34:36] (54 seconds) Edit Clip

Judas wasn't the only one responsible for the broken body. I was. And you were. And you were. And you were. And I'm not pointing at you individually, but I am. We were. [00:35:55] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

So here's what we're going to do, and we're going to continue in this passage. But we've got a team that's going to bring, in a moment, as our worship team comes up, and they're just going to, they're going to solo song. [00:36:08] (12 seconds) Edit Clip

We're going to pass those pieces of cracker, those bread, the unleavened bread. And here's what I want you to do. And again, I know this will be uncomfortable for some of you, and I apologize. Like I said, we won't do this this way very often, if ever again, but it matches. I want you to experience it. [00:36:35] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

he was punished for our sin the innocent god man was punished for our sin now i want us to reflect on that and confess that and tell jesus i'm sorry for that and i want you to think through what it means to have a good friday a broken savior it's a good friday because easter's coming right if you don't know the spoiler alert he's gonna die and he's coming back from the grave but today in this moment we think about the broken body verse 26 verse 26 he said take this and eat it for this is my body and you have a piece large enough to break on your own to symbolize the breaking of jesus's body [00:36:54] (46 seconds) Edit Clip

thank you verse 27 and he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to god for it he gave to them and said each of you drink from it for this is my blood which confirms the covenant between god and his people it is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many in this jewish ceremony there were multiple cups of wine that were drinking the third one was called the cup of redemption and that's what's happening in this moment jesus has the cup of redemption and he says this is my blood the redeeming blood there's a story out of california of a judge his name is john phillips and john phillips had seen over time countless numbers of minors that he'd had to send to prison i mean they were young people they had done crimes that they were so heinous that they weren't just going to juvie they were going to prison and the judge says something's got to change [00:38:53] (63 seconds) Edit Clip

And he turned this juvenile detention center into Rancho Cielo and started sending kids, instead of to prison, to this place, a place of education, where they learned how to do construction and carpentry, where they learned how to do things like beekeeping, even, how to restore vintage cars, how to do equestrian care. [00:39:58] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

So in a moment, the band is going to lead us in one more song and they're going to pass some cups of juice down. It's juice because we've got kids in the room, things like that, so there's not wine today. We'll pass juice. Again, if you don't need to take it, just pass it. If there's extra, we'll sit on the side and we'll just do our best not to kick it over. But as you pray... [00:41:27] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

The life that God has for you. Spend time thanking him for the life that he's given you in exchange for the life that you had if you're a follower of Jesus. [00:41:47] (10 seconds) Edit Clip

He says, For this is my blood which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sentence of many, the cup of redemption. [00:41:57] (13 seconds) Edit Clip

Man, it's a heavy moment to think about the broken body of Jesus and the sin of ours that broke his body. It begins to take a turn and we talk about the blood of the covenant that restores us and redeems us. But then Jesus gives them good news in the midst of the bad. He says, Listen, I'm not doing this again, which seems like bad news, until we do it again when everything's new in the kingdom. Because Easter's coming. [00:42:12] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Jay's old life is gone and there's a brand new life here. You heard his testimony. If you're a follower of Jesus, your old life is gone and the brand new life is here. And Jesus says, Hey, all of this and all of this brokenness and all of this sin and all of this slavery, it's all going away and something brand new's coming and we're going to celebrate that. [00:42:27] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

A neighbor, some of you went and put Easter eggs out in neighbor's yards last night. If you didn't, you have those, do those this week. Invite them, a friend from school, a family member, maybe, maybe a Judas. [00:42:50] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

Judas had a seat at the table. Who are you inviting? That's your next step. Because of what we experience and because everything is made new, who will you invite into the new? [00:42:59] (12 seconds) Edit Clip

If you ever watch the TV show, and I know it's at the theaters as well, The Chosen, there's a story that came out of season one that was behind the scenes. The actor who plays Jesus had a moment where they were about to film, and he was speaking, like the words of the Bible, he was speaking as he portrays Jesus. And he got out and he opens the door in the doorway, and there's about 50 extras, and people are all dressed up like the people Jesus would talk to. And he's about to deliver his lines. He got emotional, and he just called for a stop. He said, hey, we've got to stop. We've got to take a break. He talked to the director. He said, hey, can we just, can I have a moment? Can we pause? And he walked off, walked off kind of the set off to the side. Director came over and he said, hey, what's going on? [00:43:11] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

And the director said, you're not worthy. And I'm not worthy. And none of the extras are worthy. And none of us are worthy. But God in his grace has brought us here to this moment to tell this story. You know what? [00:44:06] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

You may not feel worthy. You may not feel like you have a seat at the table. Judas didn't feel worthy. And yet Judas had a seat at the table. So praise God that you've been invited to the table to experience forgiveness, to experience resurrection life, the spirit -driven life. And you have an opportunity to bring someone into that next week on a Sunday where many people are looking for a church. Maybe you're the one to know. [00:44:10] (31 seconds) Edit Clip