Tables are wonderful gathering places, aren’t they? Especially the Lord’s table. I was searching the Bible and found this verse where “the Lord’s table” is mentioned the first time. It took me by surprise. Like I had never read it before (and I am sure I have).

You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. (1 Cor. 10:21, NLT,*)

This might sound a bit shocking. But I think this is a very timely reminder for all of us to choose our side. We can’t serve two masters. Not just because God says so. But because it is not good for us.

Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what’s the idol but a nothing? Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don’t want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can’t have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won’t put up with it. He wants us—all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less? (1 Cor. 10:19-22, MSG, emphasis added,*)

We should not play with the fire. We should stay clear from harmful things. And not just obviously harmful things but also from those things that snatch our attention from the Lord.

We need to choose whether we are having a commercial holiday or celebrating the birth of Jesus. This does not mean that you could not buy anything if you celebrate the birth of Christ. But we need to decide what’s the focus in our celebration.

We can’t celebrate the birth of Christ at church and the gods (or demons?) of consumerism at the malls. We can’t sit at the Lord’s table on Sunday and worship idols and demons during the week. Either Jesus is the center of our lives or he is not. We can’t have it both ways.

 

Gracious God,
I want to choose you,
always you.
Help me to see what things might harm me.
Enable me to stay clear of them.
It is you I want, Lord.
I want to gather around your table.
Give me a clean heart, Lord.
I want to be yours.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you choosing the Lord’s table? Why/why not?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you focus on Jesus!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.].

Photo courtesy of  Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Dance with Jesus, Faith-filled Fridays, Five Minute Friday.