Dinnertime

There is a certain way I call everyone to dinner.
It may be the tone of my voice, the inflection, or the expectation of the call.
It is always heard.
They always come.

DINNNN…ER!
There is something comforting in the call…and in the time around the table.

I even have an old cast iron bell on a post outside.
When the children were little, and playing outside, it was the best way to call them home.
The sound reverberated…it was recognized…it was answered.

I went to a wedding this weekend…the daughter of a dear friend.
The mother of the bride and I went to grade school, high school, and college together.
We were married two weeks apart and had our first child two months apart.

Four of us girls were at the wedding…high school friends…close through the years.
As we were having dinner, one friend reminisced about dinnertime as we grew up.
Her mother had dinner on the table right after her dad came home from work.
Same time every night.

A different world then…predictable work schedules…not as many activities.
To this day, she still likes to eat early.
Our family eats much later…around 7:00 each evening.

No matter the time, what is most important is that you come to the table.

We all agreed how necessary family dinners really are.
A way to connect with each other.
A sense of belonging.
A place around the table that is saved for you.

There is something about meal fellowship.
The intimacy…the sharing…the conversation.

We experienced that this weekend at the wedding.
Women who have known each other since we were girls.
So much catching up to do.
Pure enjoyment just being together…grabbing moments with the mother of the bride.

There were also college friends at the wedding.
We had thirty years of catching up to do.
All centered around a wedding and a meal.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:1-10)

Jesus chose a wedding to perform His first miracle.
A simple miracle that only a few people even witnessed.
Jesus changed water to wine.

There was a need and Jesus met that need.
He met it unobtrusively.
He met it excellently.

The best till now!
That is the way Jesus always does things.

We usually say…save the best for last.
Jesus doesn’t operate that way.
The best is always right NOW with Jesus.

A wedding.
Meal fellowship.

Called for dinner.
Knowing how hungry you really are.
Knowing only Jesus’ meal will satisfy.

Meal fellowship around the table.
Jesus calls.
We answer.

You don’t run away from Jesus’ call.

If I rang the bell, years ago, to call everyone home for dinner…they came.
They were hungry and they wanted to be fed.
The bell beckoned.
The call was answered.
The meal was waiting.

The meal that Jesus offers invites us to come to His table.
We need to know our Host.
He is gracious…ready to serve.
There is enough food for everyone.

But you have to know you’re hungry.
You have to hear His call.
It is not enough to hear.
You must respond.

We are invited to share a meal at the Lord’s Supper.
The bread to be eaten…the cup to be drank.
Satisfying the hungry…and the thirsty.

The meal of now and not yet.
The meal we eat now…as we remember His Body and Blood.
The meal we will eat in the Kingdom…at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

A way to connect with each other.
A sense of belonging.
Our own special place around His table.

Bread and Wine.
Jesus will be there.
He has saved the best for now!