July 3, 2021

Dear Road Church members and friends,

On this July 4th weekend my thoughts are drawn to the ideals that are uniquely American. One of my favorites is a poem by Emma Lazarus that is inscribed in bronze on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. It is a heartfelt invitation and welcome to all the aliens and strangers who arrive on our shores seeking both freedom and opportunity. Speaking for all of us, Lady Liberty says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” These words remind me of something Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Hospitality to strangers is one of the greatest Biblical virtues. And Jesus’ open invitation to join him at his table is central to our faith. It is what makes Communion so important and meaningful, and why the Lord’s Table should always be open to all.

SCRIPTURE READINGS                                          SERMON: “An Open Table”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Revelation 3:20   “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”

THE NEW COLOSSUS

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame

With conquering limbs astride from land to land,

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon hand

Glows world-wide welcome, her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

by Emma Lazarus

A blessed July 4th to you all.

      Pastor Norm

AN OPEN TABLE

Pastor Norm’s Sermon for July 4, 2021 

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” Revelation 3:20

My message today is inspired by a poem by Emma Lazarus that is inscribed in bronze on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. It is an invitation to all who arrive on our shores seeking both freedom and opportunity. Speaking for all of us, Lady Liberty says,

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” These words remind me of Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest, my yoke is easy, my burden I’d light.”  

Jesus’ invitation to take his yoke, and join him at his table is central to our faith. It is what makes Communion so important and why the Lord’s Table should always be open to all.

The story of the growth of the early church is portrayed as a step by step fulfillment of John 3:16; “God so loved the world…” The Church follows the lead of God’s love to the ends of the earth. And love grows wherever the church goes. The Church exists to prove that its claim that God loves the world is true. If the world doesn’t see the unconditional love of God for the world in the behavior of Christians,—if we love the world in word but not in deed,—the world will have no reason to believe our message.

The Church’s commitment to radical hospitality goes back to Jesus who fed the multitudes in the wilderness of Galilee. That’s why table fellowship was central in the life of the church from the very beginning. Acts says, the early Christians “devoted themselves to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.” This was easy when  everyone in the Church was Jewish. But problems arose when a church’s membership became more inclusive. For centuries Jews were taught that Gentiles were unclean in mind and body. So Jewish families protected their heritage by excluding Gentiles from their social activities,—especially from their meals. As the gospel moved into the Gentile world Jewish Christians became more and more concerned that the church was losing its ties to Judaism, and some refused to share the Lord’s Table with Gentiles.

Paul relates an incident when a delegation of strict Jewish Christians from Jerusalem arrived at his church in Antioch. Before they came, the Lord’s Table was open to Jews and Gentiles. These leaders were opposed to that practice, and insisted that Jews and Gentiles eat at separate, segregated tables. To Paul’s dismay, Peter agreed to that arrangement. But Paul objected, and said, “I opposed Peter to his face because he was not living true to the truth of the gospel.” Paul saw separate Tables as a form of closed Communion, and a violation of God’s intent to create one new people. There can only be one Lord’s Table because it represents God’s unconditional love and hospitality extended to everyone, Jew and Greek, male and female, slave and free. Paul insisted on an Open Table because only an Open Table reflects the bottom line truth of the gospel,—there is a place at God’s Table for everyone.

The Lord’s Table is a place where human unity and equality is on display before a watching world. The Lord’s Table is the focal point of the gospel. It’s where the rubber meets the road, and all eyes are on it. Jesus intended that his Table be an Open Table where all are welcome. Jesus invited his twelve Apostles to the table,—even Judas who betrayed him. Even Peter who denied him, and all the rest who abandoned him.

The Church should not think of itself as the host and gatekeeper of the Supper. The Church is not the one to decide who is welcome and who is not,—who is worthy, and who is not. We, in the Church, are the guests, not the hosts. It is the Lord’s Table,—not our Table. It is the Lord who invites us to dine with him. It is a personal invitation to each of us. At the Lord’s Table we are standing on Holy Ground. The Lord’s Table is Heaven’s Ground where all of us are always welcome.

 Pastor Norm Erlendson