The Kids’ Table

kids’ table

Did you ever have to sit at the kids’ table at your family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? It’s always off to the side somewhere, often a little lower in height to the main table, and regularly reserved for the smallest among us.

Some people think of the kids’ table as the last place you want to be. But Jesus wouldn’t think so. Listen to these words:

“But when you are invited [to a banquet], go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:10-11).

Metaphorically speaking, the kids’ table is the place for us to be in the kingdom of God. Why? Because we are to be humble in our approach to God and to one another. We are never to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, St. Paul tells us (Romans 12:3). Only the host, who is Jesus, can invite us to be near him at the head table. Only Jesus can make us worthy of a seat with the saints. Only his suffering, death and resurrection for our sake give us VIP status at the feast of heaven. In honor of him, we graciously await that beckoning forward by our Savior.

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