Luke 22:7-8 (ESV) ⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸ So Jesus^[a] sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”

A fresh linen cloth covered a table set with fine china.  Polished silver utensils were properly placed on each side of the gleaming dinner plate. Crystal glasses holding ice cold water stood at the top of the triangular fold of the linen napkin. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room as the waiter placed a warm roll on the bread plate next to a plate of creamy butter.

A waitress entered carrying a large tray, and laying it on the table, she removed a silver domed lid revealing steaming meats and vegetables cooked to perfection seasoned with delicious herbs and spices.

The lighting in the room was dim, perfect for dining comfortably. Soft music filled the air.

The magnificent meal was ready.

A well-dressed man walked in, scanned the room, and took his place at the table.  He saw the elegance. He recognized the effort and expense it must have taken to put such a beautiful meal together. As he was about to lift the napkin off the table to cover his lap, he paused, stood and then left the room.

The meal was for him and yet he chose not to eat.

Some of you reading this may think this man was crazy. To deny oneself such a delicious meal in such an exquisite setting sounds absurd, doesn’t it?

And yet, some of us do this all the time.

Jesus willingly hands each of us hope, forgiveness, salvation, and love-free of charge-on a silver platter. And yet, some of us choose not to “eat” of His generosity and grace.

We push ourselves from His table empty and lost.

This precious meal is ours, purely out of God’s goodness and grace, even though we are unworthy to receive it.

It’s only through Jesus that we become worthy to eat at His table and drink from His cup and to experience the freedom we receive in Him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has set His table for you.  He asks you to dine in His love and grace.

My question for you is this, will you eat?

Luke 22:17-20 (ESV) ¹⁷ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.¹⁸ For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.