December 14, 2024 – A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community

“[Jesus] had friends in low places too. That was the strategic beauty of his scandalously diverse guest list. By not being selective with his invitation, Jesus affirms the value of his disparate meal companions to them and to those watching from a distance. In a world where we so often are content to preach only to the choirs of those who agree with us, to wall ourselves off in a social-media echo chamber of our amen-ing cheerleaders, Jesus models a better way. He fully engages all sides and teaches them about one another in the process. For him, the table is a tool of connection. It transcends difference. It bridges disagreement. It declares the other welcomed and worthy of hearing. It recognizes the other and declares commonality with him or her. I don’t see very much of this in the modern Christian expression here in America. I don’t know if we’re really all that interested in proximity with those who differ from us. I’m not sure we care to follow Jesus all the way to the table with those we have contempt for from a distance, and yet this is the path of the disciple.” (Pavlovitz, John. A Bigger Table, Expanded Edition with Study Guide: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community (p. 80). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.)

“In a world where we so often are content to preach only to the choirs of those who agree with us, to wall ourselves off in a social-media echo chamber of our amen-ing cheerleaders, Jesus models a better way.” Social Media and socially connecting apps have been a real boon for our world and our society. They may also be the single source of our demise as a society. It is amazing that we can talk with each other in real time when we are on opposite sides of the earth. It is amazing.

But it is also minimizing and scary. The longer we interact on these apps and find groups of like-minded thinkers, the smaller our world becomes, and the more limiting our ability to communicate with people who look differently, think differently, live differently, and love differently. The smaller our world of thinking and preaching becomes, the greater the chance for hate to grow instead of love.

Jesus models a better way. In Matthew 5:5-9, Jesus says that those wishing to reflect the character of G-d must be “meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, and makers of peace.” “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

At the center of this teaching was the idea of giving people access to wholeness, sustenance, justice, and joy – no matter their color, creed, or race. It was not merely some internal understanding – Jesus wanted it to be a visible response from the church whenever their individual value was disregarded.

Social Media apps may appear to be inclusive – but in reality they simply highlight the ability of our world to exclude, demean, and denigrate. This is not what Jesus taught – it is not.

Pastor Dave