Lessons From the Kitchen Table - Kim Westmoreland

It’s where most of our days begin and has been referred to as the “social hub” for the family. It should be no surprise that the kitchen in our homes has been called “The Heart of the Home” 

The place in our homes where family and friends love to gather. Through the the centuries the style of the kitchen has changed but the one furnishing of the kitchen that has remained constant is the TABLE . The importance of the table is mentioned in Exodus when God said the table of shewbread was to be a remembrance of how He always provided and protected His people. 

The Kitchen table is very unique- it would probably be considered the most muti-purpose piece of furniture in our homes. Large or small and no matter how many it seats, it would still be considered just a simple table. 

However, the kitchen table isn’t just a place where meals are served but it’s a place where memories are made, lessons are learned, counsel is given, laughter is heard and tears are dried. If the table could talk , it would tell stories of breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners,of birthdays, coloring books, puzzles , secrets shared, and Christmas cards that were addressed. The table has been the place for game nights, homework and many prayers. It’s a place for family devotions and a place where many have received Christ as their Savior. 

Have you ever heard the phrase “ Life happens around the table”? Where do most people gravitate to whenever they enter your home or specifically when they enter your kitchen? 

The kitchen table is that amazing and enduring piece of well-worn furniture that holds a place of importance, tradition and security in our hearts. It’s where friends sit down for a warm cup of coffee and good conversation. 

For much of human history the center of every home has been the KiITCHEN TABLE . 

** I remember as a little girl, our family would drive to my Aunts home in Paris, Tenn. and right after we finished hugging everyone……..my Aunt would say, “Let’s all go sit at the table, I’m making a pot of coffee”. 

For hours we would sit at the table and visit. (well, the adults would talk I would just sit, listen and laugh at their funny stories).

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE? 

1. The Kitchen table is a nourishing place. (where we receive our daily food) 

Do you remember your parents saying at the table- “Eat everything on your plate” or “Slow down your eating to fast” ? 

When it comes to our daily spiritual food- Gods word , “Eat everything on your plate.” 

John 6:35 says - And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

God’s Word is the perfect beverage, 

God’s Word is just the meat we need. 

Joshua 1:8- This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but though shalt meditate therein day and night.. - “ “Don’t just eat and run’ savor every bite. 

2. The Kitchen table is a welcoming place. 

Over the years , it seems we have lost the art of being neighborly ( I remember as a little girl my mother would realize she was out of milk for a recipe she was preparing and would tell me to go next door and ask our neighbor if we could borrow a cup of milk. Later in the day , the neighbor might stop in for a cup of coffee and they would sit at the kitchen table and visit. That’s just what neighbors did. 

The Bible places a high priority on sharing meals. Jesus ate with all kinds of people in all kinds of places. At Jesus’ table all felt welcome and included. 

John 21:12 “ Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine…….” 

*Jesus first miracle took place at a Wedding banquet.

*Jesus attended dinners with Scribes and Pharisees. 

* He fed 5,000 people in a field 

*Jesus went to a tax Collectors home and ate with him. 

*At Mary & Martha’s home, (friends of Jesus) He and his disciples ate a meal. 

Romans 12:13 says “ we should be given to hospitality”. The word given means to aggressively pursue and the simple Bible meaning of hospitality is receiving and showing love to others, specifically strangers. In essence, according to Rom. 12:13 we all should be aggressively pursuing others for the purpose of receiving them and showing love to them. 

Did you know there is a difference in entertaining and showing hospitality? 

When we entertain we are engaging the attention of someone. 

Entertaining versus hospitality- What’s the Difference? 

Entertaining involves setting the perfect table, choosing a menu that will impress everyone and then fretting through each stage of preparation. It may also require every throw pillow be in place, every child neat and orderly and then finding the perfect outfit to impress. 

Entertaining focuses on Self. 

Hospitality on the other hand, involves setting a table that makes everyone feel comfortable. It prepares food that allows you to be able to enjoy and converse with the guests instead of being chained to the kitchen. 

Hospitality focuses attention on others. 

Entertaining is always thinking about the next course. Hospitality may burn the rolls while listening to a story. 

Entertaining obsesses over what went wrong. Hospitality remembers what was shared. 

Entertaining seeks to impress. Hospitality seeks to bless.

Jesus lived his life being hospitable- Matt. 11:27- “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

3. The kitchen table is a Protective Place. 

How many times as a mother have you been in the kitchen working and the door opens with a crying child needing your help? It may be a band-aid that’s needed or just drying a tear. Whether it’s your child, a friend or your spouse needing a listening ear, you walk them over to the table sit down and try take care of their need. 

In Psalm 23 when the Bible says “He prepareth a table in the presence of mine enemies”- God is our great shepherd who will provide and protect even in the presence of those who may be against us. 

Someone said that the table in this verse is a place of royal provision and protection. The end of the verse Psalm 23:5 says “my cup runneth over”. 

Back in the ancient times, when you were a guest in someones home the host would send a message to the guests at the table. As long as your cup at the table was kept full ( by the host refilling your drink) you were welcome to stay. However, when the cup sat empty and not being refilled the host was hinting it was time to go. However, on the occasion when the host was enjoying the company of the guest, he would fill the cup past the rim, until it was overflowing. Letting his guests know he wants them to continue to stay in his home. Our Lord is saying - We will always be welcome at His table, ‘my cup runneth over” - 

The kitchen table is more than a just piece of furniture it is a tool to be used to nourish, protect and welcome all . 

I love this old hymn - “ Come and dine the master calleth come and dine. Ye may feast at Jesus table all the time. 

He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, 

To the hungry calleth now, come and dine.”