March 17: There is Room at the Table in the Kingdom of Freedom and Equality
♫ Music:
Thursday, March 17
Scripture: Romans 8:1-2 & Galatians 3:28
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
THERE IS ROOM AT THE TABLE IN THE KINGDOM OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY
Many a sermon has been preached on “original sin,” but what about original blessing? Is not the declaration of God over his creation more powerful than the curse of the fall? Because of the consequences of the fall, it is as if the blessing was rendered meaningless—and yet—God does not remove the declaration. Everything that follows from that point is God working on our behalf to restore us to him. Separation. Inequality. Patriarchy. Racial division. These were not God’s declaration for his creation. In the Kingdom of God, there is no division, no inequality, no hierarchy of humanity, and no sin great enough to separate us from his love for us. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, but in his love for us, we are called to restoration. We are called to freedom.
When I think of the table of the Lord, I am often overcome by the image set before us. I have more often feared the table of the Lord than felt drawn there. The emphasis, it seems, is placed on making sure we are “cleaned up” and right with the Lord before we approached the elements representing God’s body and blood. Too often, I was sure that I would find myself on the side of damnation for some sin that went unconfessed rather than being welcomed and served by the King.
A friend shared the story of a young man who had left a life of sin and had a radical encounter with Jesus, yet one week, as the Eucharist was celebrated, the young man held back. When my friend approached him, he simply replied that he could not go to the table, as he was unworthy to receive the elements and forgiveness they represented. The response: if you cannot go, then I will not either. If the table of the Lord is not for the sinner, then who among us is worthy to receive? Another who observed this interaction brought the elements to them and they received it together. Equally sinners. Equally restored.
The image of the Lord’s Supper is not one of perfect people who are without blame who shared this moment with the King. Among them was one who would deny him outright, not once but three times. Jesus washed the feet and fed the very one who would betray him and send him to his death. The last supper is the very image of the fall. Unequal. Divided. Yet Jesus does not deny any of them a seat at the table, for in his Kingdom there is no condemnation, only freedom, offered freely and without qualification.
The Kingdom of God is unlike the kingdom of this world. It is where the blessing of creation is made new in us. We can join together at the table, walk in freedom and in full equality because Jesus, who proclaimed us good, brings the table to us right where we are: Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. We are one in Christ Jesus. He declares over us once again, you are good.
PRAYER
Father, while we were yet sinners, you washed our feet; you fed us your body and blood. You invite us again and again to come to your table. You have restored what was lost to sin. You have set us free. In your Kingdom, all things have been made new and in that Kingdom, the lines that separate us are washed in your blood. For this, we give you praise. Give us the courage to live out the Kingdom of Freedom and Equality here on earth, as it is in heaven.
Now, and forever,
Amen.
Joy Qualls, Chair, Department of Communication Studies
Last Supper
Margaret Ackland
Oil on canvas
About the Artist and Art
Margaret Ackland (b. 1954) is an Australian painter. In her depiction of The Last Supper, a chaotic crowd huddles around Christ expectantly. Ackland purposefully emphasizes the presence of women and children to show that Christianity is not a place of privilege and exclusion, but instead is a celebration of God’s generosity and diversity. Art critic Ron O’Grady states, “Our initial surprise is to find that we cannot discern the face of Christ except as it is reflected in the faces of his followers. These faces express a range of feelings--from a sense of peacefulness to one of deep anxiety. Other faces look out at us as we become part of the picture. It’s as if we have walked in late.”
About the Music
“If This Is Not A Place”
Lyrics
If this is not a place, where tears are understood,
then where shall I go to cry?
And if this is not a place, where my spirit can take wings,
then where shall I go to fly?
I don't need another place, for trying to impress you
with just how good and virtuous I am.
No, no, no I don't need another place, for always being on top of things.
Everybody knows it's a sham, it’s a sham.
I don't need another place, for always wearing smiles
even when it's not the way I feel.
I don't need another place, to mouth the same old platitudes;
everybody knows that it's not real.
So if this is not a place, where my questions can be asked,
then where shall I go to seek?
And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard,
where, tell me where, shall I go to speak?
So if this is not a place where tears are understood
where shall I go, where shall I go to fly?
About the Composer/Performer
Ken Medema (b. 1943) is a composer–singer–songwriter who has been performing since 1973 in the United States, Canada, and Europe for more than thirty years. Medema originally began performing as a music therapist. Some of his best-known songs have been birthed through the use of live improvisation during his performances. His lyrics generally provide social commentary on themes such as justice, hunger, poverty, homelessness, and Christian charity. In 1985 Ken founded his own independent recording company (Brier Patch Music) through which he has released most of his 26 albums. The business was named after Brer Rabbit’s home from the legendary Uncle Remus stories. “Brer Rabbit lived in a place not comfortable for anyone else,” Medema says, “and we decided to follow him there.” In If This not a Place, Medema’s potent lyrics are a rallying cry for the church to become a place of authenticity and inclusion.
www.kenmedema.com