Belinda Soto, author
I just received the November issue of one my favorite publications. I’ve always referred to this issue as the “Thanksgiving Table” issue because it features the trendiest table designs to help you set the “perfect” Thanksgiving table .
I hesitated before looking closely at the magazine because I already feared that my own table would be a far from the beautifully photographed table-scape staring back at me from its glossy pages. To get there would mean scraping off the glue and rubbing out the marker stains from the most recent school projects, having to find a place for the on-going work projects, removing the board games from game night, polishing out the heat stains from a casserole dish, and well, the list goes on. Let’s just say, I’m pretty sure no one is going to call me to do a photo shoot for the “Hottest Trending Tables of Thanksgiving 2020”.
However, when I flipped open the much anticipated “Thanksgiving Table” issue, I was surprised. The magazine did not choose to depict the “perfect Thanksgiving table.” It did not feature an elaborate floral center-piece, or the latest and greatest china pattern, but rather the biggest bowl of intentionally over-buttered mashed potatoes you can imagine! There it was, a beautiful mess of mashed potatoes, front and center in all of its glorious buttered goodness with a caption that simply read…”Served with Love (and Butter).” Needless to say, I’ve already voted it the best “Thanksgiving Table” issue in the history of ever!
My pre-anticipated fear of disappointment quickly shifted. My messy, stained, dented, scratched, homework-covered, laptop-loaded, crumb-bearing, nowhere-near-photo-ready table reminds me of the teachers and coaches that that pour into my kids every single day, the friends that drop off a hot casserole dish, and our family times where we create memorable moments. It’s where we do crafts, wrap birthday gifts, make plans to serve our community, and so much more. All of these moments are “served with love (and a little bit of butter).” My disappointment quickly shifted to gratitude – my gratitude table.
Simply put, gratitude is showing appreciation for benefits received. There are several examples in the Bible in which Jesus expresses a heart of gratitude and thankfulness to the Father. He does so in Matthew 14:19 when gives thanks to God before he feeds the 5000 with five loaves and two fish and again in Matthew 15:36 when he feeds the 4000 with seven loaves and a few small fish. He also gives thanks to God in John 11:41 when he raises Lazarus from the dead.
One of the most meaningful examples of Christ’s gratitude to the Father happens around a table. It was the Last Supper, the night of the final Passover meal. It was the last table Jesus would share with his disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection. He celebrated this meal knowing that in a very short time he would take on the sins of this world and suffer a brutal death. Yet, he still he gives thanks.
Read
Matthew 14:22-26
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
For what does Jesus give thanks?
Reflect
What is Jesus doing in this moment when he gives thanks? Not only is he giving thanks for provision from the Father, but he is also modeling how we can generously share the abundance of God with others by serving them.
John’s Gospel gives us another glimpse into this special evening. In John 13 we see Jesus washing the disciples feet before the Last Supper. Thus, the entire scene is a beautiful picture of the heart of Jesus — serving his disciples, washing their feet, comforting them in what was to come. He did all this knowing that he would soon be betrayed and in the midst of preparing for death. Yet, he still gives thanks to the Father. It’s challenging to reconcile how Jesus is thankful, even knowing what was to come. But that’s just it, he knew what was to come!
All of these last moments with his disciples are precious. Every moment leading up to his death demonstrates the depth, the width and the height of God’s great love them, and for us. So much gratitude, clearly defined, served with love at a table. This is precisely what God calls us to do around our own tables.
God is not asking us to be the cover of a magazine worthy, he made us worthy when we he enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. Might we invite others to our gratitude table to experience how high, how wide and how deep the Father’s love is for all.
Respond
We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. May our tables, no matter what their condition or who is around them be filled with love and gratitude. Think about some ways you can celebrate God’s love and give him thanks.
Let’s take advantage of the opportunity Thanksgiving provides to express our gratitude to God and to one another. In doing so we not only honor God, but experience more contentment, satisfaction and peace. There is no room for resentment, anger, or fear in a heart filled to overflowing with gratitude!