Building a Bigger Table
This article is written by The Rev. Dr. Brad Roderick , Trinity Anglican Seminary. It was originally published by Global South Fellowship of Anglicans on April 2, 2025 and is republished here with permission.
“He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors by Alexandre Bida, 1875, archive.org/details/christinartstory00egglrich/page/164/mode/2up?view=theater
This New Testament reading, according to the lectionary of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, brings us into a conversation among Scribes and Pharisees who are disturbed by the company Jesus is keeping. “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners,” they ask. But Jesus lets them know that they have missed the point of his earthly ministry entirely, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”
In his fantastic little book, Surprise the World: Five Habits of Highly Missional People, Michael Frost lists five habits that can help Christians become change agents in their world. Based on the Mark 2 verses as well as other similar passages, Frost lists his third suggested habit as, “I will EAT with three people this week - at least one of whom is not a member of our church,” (Frost, 2016).
Eating was a central part of the ministry of Jesus and the early church. Jesus ate with men, women, Jews, Gentiles, sinners, saints, rich and poor. And at every opportunity he presented the good news of the kingdom in tangible ways.
I like the idea that we should carry this practice into our own lives. When I was in school, my missions professor shared that he and his wife had the practice of balancing their invitations for dinner between Christians and non-Christians. I have always wanted to emulate their example. When we lived on the mission field, that was easier to do. But now that I am working at a Seminary and heavily involved in local church ministry, sometimes I find myself falling into the pattern of eating on the run or grabbing a bite with friends from church and work, never quite finding the time to open my schedule to include those who need to hear the good news.
I think as the season of Lent, with its appropriate themes of abstinence and fasting, comes to an end, I want to incorporate the spiritual discipline of feasting with others into my Easter celebration. I want to be more intentional about taking the time to share at least a cup of tea, if not a whole meal, with someone who has questions about faith.
What about you? Is there someone you could invite out for a meal and a chat about the meaning of the resurrection and the hope you have in Christ? If you do, let me know how it goes. And pray for me, that I will find (make?) the time to follow the example of Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us friends with whom we can share a meal and an hour. Make us grateful for the gift of friendship and for the food before us. But may your Spirit guide our hearts and minds, as we share meals to include those who we might consider to be “other,” that our conversation with them could nourish our souls and theirs as the food nourishes our bodies. May our bonds with You and with one another be ever strengthened for your glory. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Brad Roderick has a Master of Divinity, and a PhD from New Orleans Baptist Seminary and has authored numerous articles in the area of mission. He has extensive experience in mission and evangelism, having been a church planter in New England, a cross-cultural missionary for over nineteen years in India and Indonesia, and a Chairman and Professor of the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Missions Department since 2017. He is currently Vice President of Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of Mission, and Director of the Stanway Institute at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, PA.