INGREDIENTS
Tables Not Platforms
Part of INGREDIENTS—Core Values
August 19, 2022

Core Value #3: Tables Not Platforms

We live our lives at tables and share our lives at tables.

“44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” —Acts 2:44-47

“15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” —Mark 11:15-17

Jesus flipped tables in righteousness. We tend to flip tables in self-righteousness.

“15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” —Mark 2:15-16

Jesus sat at tables to participate in moments of grace.

“17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” —Mark 2:17

To sit at tables Jesus sat at we need to…

  1. See broken people.
  2. Be present.
  3. Be willing to be broken.

“18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” —Mark 14:18

“22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” —Mark 14:22-25