John 20:19–23

Stop.

When do you like to eat? Is it better to eat with people, or all alone? If you are like me, you don’t mind eating alone, but it is usually more fun when you eat with people you love.

Listen.

John 20:19–23 (NRSV)

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Reflect.

I’ve been reading and listening to Diana Butler-Bass a lot lately. She has written and spoken a great deal about what happened in the upper room on Easter Sunday in John 20. It is not apparent in the text above, but it is important to remember that Jesus returned to the room where the disciples were gathered. It is most likely the room where they shared the last supper together on Thursday night before he was arrested.

This image is my illustration of how Diana explains what happened on Easter.

Jesus set the table on Thursday and taught his disciples to love one another and what that love looked like in action (John 13-17). At Jesus’ table all are welcome and the oppressive power structures of the Roman Empire are challenged.

On Friday the Roman Empire said, “NO!” to Jesus’ table and crushed him. Jesus didn’t fight back. Instead, he stood in solidarity with all who have been crucified by corrupt power structures.

On Saturday the disciples waited in huddled, hushed apprehension.

On Sunday Jesus rose from the dead, met Mary in the garden (read Eden and new creation) and then returned…where? He went back to the table. There he breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples, just like God breathed into the Adamah (dirt) in Genesis 2 and formed Adam (humanity).

Resurrection people—Easter people—are people of the table where all are welcome.

Pray.

God of abundant life, bless our tables. May those who have power to set tables make them open for all. May those who have nothing be welcomed and fed.

Carry On.

If you are a person who doesn’t have to worry about putting food on your table, perhaps consider how you might open your table to someone who can’t.