Table Privilege

Privilege might seem like a obsessively modern term. We discuss it in terms of social leverage, financial, educational, gender and racial divides. But the divide is more ancient than modern.  Take the story of the cross: Jospeh of Arimathea and the woman who followed Jesus.  

All of the gospels tell Joseph's tale, a rich man, a powerful man religiously, socially and politically.  When it comes to privilege, he had it all.  All the gospels tell the women's tale as well. When it comes to privilege, they had less: less money, less power, less standing in their community, and less political influence. 

Yet they all wanted the same thing: Jesus’ body.  United in this common desire to honor their Rabbi, they were brave.  Joseph was afraid of declaring himself yet goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Jesus.  The women watched all the disciples/apostles but John flee, yet stand at the foot of the cross as mute witnesses to their own Lord’s death.    United in their common desire to honor their Rabbi, they honor his corpse. Joseph takes the Lord’s body and brings the it to his own unused tomb. (Would that I ever had the opportunity to let Jesus take my place of honor.) The women follow him from afar to see where they can come after the Sabbath to bring their spices and prepare his body for burial.  

In Jesus each of us bring all that we have-energy, time, money, standing-to the table as a gift. In our desire to honor the body of our Lord, we stand united at the table of communion. His table permits no divide: one Lord, one meal, one body. Thank God for the privilege of celebrating at His table. 

Helene

PS.  Interested in more of these devotionals?  I'd love for you to subscribe and I will send you a FREE PDF/Ebook with 12 short communion devotionals each one perfect for savoring with a cup of coffee on Sunday morning! 

A Heart Like Jonah's

I never really understood Jonah.  Why would he want all the people of Nineveh to be destroyed? I have an academic knowledge of what the Assyrians were like, with their ruthless conquering, but I didn't feel like that was reason enough to want the wrath of God vented on the whole city.  I sneered when Jonah whined at the people's salvation, and I cheered when they repented.  Even now, when I look at the sin around me, I pray for the redemption of the sinner rather than their punishment.  I rejoice to know that Jeffrey Dahmer was baptized before he died.  I wish Adam Lanza had not died because he lost his chance.  

With New Ears

Melissa, Jane and I are very excited to introduce you to an amazing advocate, blogger and mom, Katherine. She writes about her young son, their family life, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  You'll find her blog at http://homemadetatertot.blogspot.com

We're guest posting today too as part of a Christian blog sharing event.  You'll find our post at Dene Ward's blog Flightpaths.  If you've never heard of her, let me highly recommend her devotionals.  She is near the top of the list of women-bloggers Melissa and I would like to grow-up and be!  

With no further ado except to warn you to grab a box of kleenex, Katherine's beautiful thoughts on the crucifixion.