Table Talk: The Table of Clarity

Table Talk: The Table of Clarity

Pastor Aaron Sutherland

Good things happen around tables.

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 

I. ON MY OWN MY SIGHT IS CLOUDED

Luke 24:13-19 

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;  but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.  One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

Unmet expectation leads to frustration.

II. IN GOD’S PRESENCE MY SIGHT IS CHALLENGED

 Luke 24:25-32

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.  But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

God often does not let us fly over our difficulties, instead He reveals to us the path for walking through them.

Jesus walks with those confused by what THEY see, in order to reveal to them what GOD sees.

When we invite God to stay WITH us, God reveals a way FOR us.

We often see Jesus better with our hearts than with our eyes.

III. AT GOD’S TABLE MY SIGHT IS CLARIFIED

 Luke 24:33-35

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”  Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

When I see Jesus clearly, I see the world clearly.

The ultimate answer to my confusion is the truth of Christ’s resurrection.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. 

Martin Luther King Jr.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways have you found yourself clouded and confused as you encounter this world?

2. Have you ever allowed God to challenge the way you view your situation?

3. What would it look like to meet Jesus at the table of your life today? 

4. How might Jesus bring clarity to your confusion?