What was your high school cafeteria experience like? It's not so much the food I want to deal with. I always thought cafeteria chili was pretty good. Other then that...??? But where did you sit at in the cafeteria? Did you always eat at the same table? Did you always sit with the same people? I can walk across the street and visit the BHS cafeteria. Whenever I go to the cafeteria, I can almost guarantee who will be sitting at what table. Tables can create or divide societies. An example of this is found in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50. Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus over for dinner. While at the table, a sinful woman (prostitute) comes over to Jesus and begins crying. Then she pours expensive perfume on Him. Simon is aghast that this woman would come to his table. Simon expects and requires purity before coming to his table. Jesus welcomes the woman to the table. Jesus creates purity. In today's culture it is so important to make people feel welcome. People have an incredible need to belong. We have the privilege of being Jesus to people. Will you invite them to your table? You just might be able to share the grace and mercy of Jesus. Always welcome others to your "table."
Our worship at Connections this Sunday evening will center around this Gospel story. Come and join us around the tables as we worship together.