The fragrance of fresh bread fills the room. New wine chimes as it is poured. The cool evening air trickles in from the windows while He looks at each face, each illuminated by candlelight, as they sit around a colorful array of food.
When we see Jesus at the table with societal misfits, imagine Him sharing in the delight of the freshly baked bread with those around Him. Imagine the crumbs that may have fallen into His beard or His smile as He tastes local wine.
The way He looks each of them in the eyes, those often labeled as greedy, dirty and rejected, those unseen, even hated in their communities. These are the precious people Jesus welcomes as friends to the table. They begin to share their lives and their stories with the Son of Man.
Imagine their excitement as they whip up their favorite recipes and study His face as He takes the first bites. It is the first time they feel at home in their lived experiences. They loosen in His presence, experience profound solace in His friendship.
“Few acts are more expressive of companionship than the shared meal… Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one.”
— Tim Chester
An Ekko member once wrote of covenantal living: “To me, this is the greatest miracle—to find home—to be able to abide, to be able to contribute toward building a home for others.”
At Ekko, in the practice and light of the Gospel, we are reconciled through Christ and drawn together by Christ.
We find friendship with Him.
But it doesn’t end there.
Out of the overflow, we begin to make space for the other. Much like the story of Zacchaeus, who finds utter acceptance and grace in the presence of Jesus, we can’t help but respond with grace, generosity and love.
Sunday Supper is one of the ways we practice this Zacchaeus-moment in our body.
More than sharing a meal between members and visitors, it represents the community, friendship and hospitality we get to share. Because we were once welcomed, we now welcome.
“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.”
— Acts 2:42 (The Message)
So whether you have been a member for a long time, or are a newly minted Orthopraxis grad (Ekko’s introduction to discipleship), we who have been welcomed, now get to make room. We get to participate in what God is doing.
And we learn to save a seat at the table for other brothers and sisters like Jesus often did: at the table.