Table of Love
One of the images that has haunted me for several years is Dr. Bob Jewett's concept of communion as the "Feast of Enemies." The messianic age is to be announced -- as in Isaiah 40 -- by the presence of the heavenly banquet at which are gathered the enemies, united by a peace which is bigger than their enmity. That holy communion is the "Feast of Enemies" Jewett makes clear by running down the guest list at the Last Supper. Who could be more opposed to one another than the disciples? But all are invited by Jesus.
Most communion music deals well with our unity. Goodness! -- MOST of our music deals well with our unity! What we don't easily confront is our sense of disunity, the fact that underneath it all we really don't like the people who are sharing communion with us. Still, Jesus invites us all to the table.
The song started as a melody playing in my head as I returned home from a meeting which was a pleasant meeting, but where there was still a clear tension. The idea came together pretty quickly, and I first sang this as a solo in my churches in about August of 2001.
- Lyrics and Chords
- Score
- Download the MIDI file. (Right-click on the link and then "Save Target as...")