Trapped on the Toilet Table? God Has Turned the Tables for You!نموونە

The Golden Table & the Crumbs Table

I watched an interesting programme that highlighted the intriguing techniques used by some restaurants to draw customers in. One tactic is having a ‘golden table’ whereby restaurants seat an attractive couple on the table in the front window. Passers-by see the gorgeous ‘golden’ pair eating their meal and are drawn to go in themselves. The golden table is reserved for the attractive, young, ripped, well-dressed type. The scruffier, more average-looking diners are seated away from the window as they are unlikely to attract custom from passers-by.

Thankfully, God never employs such artificial tactics at his table. God’s table is one of true depth and substance. We can each take our seat at God’s table regardless of our level of attractiveness, intellect, or social standing. God is interested in our hearts, not our hotness!

One of my favourite Bible characters is the Syrophoenician woman. What a sassy, strong, and surprising character. She was a Gentile, an outcast, who encountered Jesus at the point when his ministry was focused on the Jews. Nevertheless, she was desperate for a seat at his table. She recognised that sitting at God’s table meant being in the presence of Jesus and having access to his divine power. Her daughter desperately needed a healing touch from Heaven.

Initially, Jesus appears to be exceptionally rude to her. When she begs for her daughter’s healing, he says “It is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to the dogs.” Her quick and quirky response of “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” seems to move and surprise Jesus. He heals her daughter at that very moment, and the Syrophoenician woman bags herself a seat at the table.

There’s no ‘golden table’ in God’s kingdom. No saved seats in a prominent position for the best-looking, most intelligent, rich, or impressive. On the surface, the Syrophoenician woman had nothing ‘golden’ to offer, but she proved she had gold inside of her and was subsequently welcomed at God’s table.

There’s no need for us to beg for crumbs or scraps - we can all come confidently to God’s table, regardless of our background, intelligence, or attractiveness. That sounds like a truly golden table to me.

Reflection

Do you feel you aren't ‘golden’ enough to sit at God’s table?

Reflect on the story of the Syrophoenician woman. Learn from her strength and sass, and her golden character that grabbed Jesus' attention.