7th Floor Devotional Day 3: ”Anyone and Everyone”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 3 - “Anyone and Everyone.”

Being a new kid in a new town at a new school is difficult. I remember my first day in a new school during my sophomore year in high school (Eric Parks). It is seared in my memory like a bad sunburn. I walked into the lunch room, and it was as if the world had stopped, and everyone just stared at me. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I just stood there frozen like a deer in headlights.

And then someone finally said, "Hey, you can sit at my table." His name was Ty Thomison, and that little gesture endeared me to him for the rest of my high school career.

Ty made space for me at his table. Can you think of a time when someone made space for you at their table and how that made you feel? Here is the truth. We are all looking for acceptance and love. This world can be harsh, and we all long for someone to invite us to their table and just allow us to be ourselves. 

Some might say that some of Jesus' best work was done at a table. And, if we reflect on scripture, I believe the phrase "Anyone and Everyone" is a perfect picture of the table Jesus set. He constantly associated himself with the sick, tax collectors, sinners, and even lepers. It did not matter who you were or what you had done; Jesus pulled out a seat for everyone.

There are several stories in the Bible where this is evident. For example, Matthew 9:10-11 says, "Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit and lit into Jesus' followers. ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and misfits?’"

Why does this matter? Well, because too often, Christian circles send a message that you have to first have it all figured out for you to sit at the table. But the truth is, most people sitting with Jesus may not have even known they had something to figure out; they just knew Jesus made space for them and didn't require much in return. 

We long to create a church of crooks and misfits. A church for black, brown, white, rich or poor, young or old, gay or straight. Not because it's easy, but rather because Jesus did. All that is required is a desire to sit.

So here is your prayer for today: Father, thank you for those who made space for me at their table. Now help me to make space for others at my table. Help me have the compassion and love that Jesus had and invite people to come and be as we explore Him together. Amen