In the earthly ministry of Jesus there are many scenes where He is “at table” with others. So much ministry happened “at table”. That tiny phrase, “at table” is a key motif (or image) in the Gospel narratives. The exact phrase doesn’t appear in the ancient Greek text of the New Testament, but the “idiom” is intended in the translations, but still gets missed in translation. An idiom is a particular saying or expression unique to a particular culture and carries more meaning than the actual words themselves fully convey. For example, we might say, “Bill was hanging out with his mates”, and we would know what is meant by that phrase – which is more than the actual words themselves communicate. We know what “hanging out” means. To keep company with some mates doing nothing in particular, like playing cards, watching TV, or just talking – no set agenda – it’s an informal, unstructured keeping company with others. And so, “hanging out” is different to, “meeting with someone”, which is more formal, or “dating”, which is a romantic kind of meeting, or “an appointment” with the doctor or some such.
In the culture of Jesus’ day “at table” is a bit like hanging out, but is not quite. It was more intentional and always involved a meal with others. It was sharing hospitality – but was more than that. In the modern English translations of the New Testament “at table”, is translated “at the table” or sometimes it might say that Jesus was “reclining”, with the “at table” phrase itself not in the text – not that it matters a whole lot. The point is that in Galilean (and Middle Eastern) cultures of the time the table was the primary meeting place for families and visitors day-to-day where there was an unhurried hospitality offered and where people had the time to be more known to each other. In the Gospels, the table is a central, symbolic space for Jesus’s ministry, signifying inclusion, covenant, and fellowship. Jesus frequently used meals to teach about the Kingdom of God, notably dining with tax collectors and sinners to break social barriers. Here are some examples:
Luke 7:36: Jesus reclined at table in the Pharisee's house.
Luke 14:15: A person reclining with Jesus hears Him speak.
Mark 14:3: Jesus reclines with Simon in Bethany.
Luke 22:14: Jesus and the apostles recline at the table.
The word often translated “recline” in the original text is ἀνέπεσεν (anepesen) does not just mean “recline” BUT “reclining at table for a meal”. It never just means “lying down” as we might say in English. The word “the” is not in the idiom, but is inserted into the English text for us English readers to hopefully make more grammatical sense, but the idiom is lost in the process. So, what’s the big deal here? The phrase highlights Jesus's earthly ministry of engaging with people, patiently building relationships, and teaching in a rich communal setting – at table, sharing food, in a relaxed yet very intentional way. “At table” was a place of unhurried, relaxing sharing and knowing the other. The table is where the Last Supper occurred and the Lord’s Supper was instituted, too. You might recall that it was John who was leaning on Jesus’ chest.
Jesus challenged religious norms by eating with sinners, tax collectors, and outcasts, as we see in Matthew 9:10-11 and Luke 15:1-2. It was at the Last Supper (at table) where Jesus called the cup the "new covenant in my blood," Luke 22:14-20. The Gospel of Luke records 19 meals where Jesus used the table for instructions on the Kingdom of God. After the resurrection Jesus continued to show His bodily resurrection by eating with disciples in that locked room, and again at the end of the road where two disciples were turning off to go home to Emmaus in Luke 24:30. They urged Him to come home with them, and when they were “at table” to break bread, who Jesus really is was revealed to them. I’d love to have shared that wonderful moment! In the parables Jesus taught lessons about humility and the kingdom using table scenes, such as sitting in the lowest place at a banquet (Luke 14:7-11) and the banquet parable (Luke 14:15-24). In the early church the new believers continued this fellowship by "breaking bread" together in their homes, at table, (Acts 2:46) – and the Church has been doing so ever since. And so, “the table” in the New Testament acts as a place of spiritual formation, connecting people with God and one another, and being with Jesus, and Jesus being with us. It is a beautiful image. Two other “at table” moments in Scripture give us even deeper insight about this “at table” motif.
Psalms 23:5 (NIV)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Here David delights in Yahweh’s initiative in seeking him out for “at table” fellowship where there is no hurry, no pressure, just the time to spend with David because … he was David and God wanted to be with him. When the risen Christ Jesus sends, via John on Patmos, a hard letter to the Laodicean church, He sternly rebukes them. They had fallen away from a meaningful, rich and personal relationship with Him. They were engaged in so much other stuff, but had no time for Him. They were sort of Christians, but mostly not – neither hot, nor cold. Jesus calls them back to Himself with an invitation to join Him in table fellowship where He can be with them, and they with Him … in unhurried fellowship, where passion for Him is renewed and where He imbues them with life. It is a call of great urgency as He does not want them to drift any further from Him. It is a plea, because He loves them …
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.”
Being at table with Jesus challenges our lukewarmness. It rekindles. It refreshes and revives … and it restores. One of the most significant moments in Luke’s Gospel is where Jesus calls to Zacchaeus who was up a tree, and invites Himself to Zach’s house for a meal. During that meal, that unhurried time of fellowship at table with Zacchaeus, Jesus says not a single word of rebuke, there are no accusations concerning his corrupt dealings as a tax collector, no reprimands, no tirade … just table fellowship. That fellowship, at table, where Jesus simply desired to be with a lonely, vilified social outcast, has profound effect upon Zacchaeus.
Luke 19:8 (NIV)
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
He is completely changed into a new man because of his meeting Jesus and the at table fellowship. He spends the rest of his days ministering for Jesus. According to tradition, Zacchaeus was later ordained the first Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine. He is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church with a feast day on April 20.
“At table” is where Jesus wants to meet with you and where you are changed in that at table fellowship, if you have the time. “Look, I am standing at the door and knocking. Won’t you let Me in?”
Ps Milton