The Table: Mission Month - Carly Cassidy
Ever noticed how much of life happens around a table? From big family celebrations and whispered confessions to life-altering decisions and moments of profound grief, the table is often at the heart of it all.
One Sunday, we kicked off our Mission Month and launched our OneCare Appeal for 2025, and our very own Missions Pastor, Carly Cassidy, shared a wonderful message exploring this very idea. Drawing from the incredible story in Luke 24:13-35, Carly invited us to consider the table not just as a piece of furniture, but as a sacred space where God meets us, reveals Himself, and calls us to action.
In this post, we'll delve into that beautiful passage from Luke, unpack some of Carly's insights, and explore how we can bring the "table" into our everyday lives, making space for God and for others. Below are audio and video recordings of Carly’s message as well as a summary of her main points and some questions for small group discussion.
Understanding the Message: An Unexpected Encounter on the Road
The story Carly focused on is often called the "Road to Emmaus." It's a few days after Jesus' crucifixion, and two of His followers are walking to a village called Emmaus, about 11 kilometres from Jerusalem. Their hearts are heavy, their hopes seemingly dashed. They're deep in conversation, trying to make sense of everything that's just happened.
As they walk and talk, Jesus Himself joins them, but – and this is a key part – they don't recognise Him. He asks what they're so earnestly discussing, and they're a bit taken aback. "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened here in these days?" one of them, Cleopas, asks.
They then pour out their story: about Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in word and deed, how their leaders handed Him over to be crucified, and how their hopes that He was the one to redeem Israel were now shattered. They even mention the bewildering news from some women who went to the tomb and found it empty, with angels saying Jesus was alive!
Jesus listens, then gently chides them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26). Starting with Moses and all the Prophets, He explains to them everything in the Scriptures concerning Himself. Imagine that walk!
As they near Emmaus, Jesus acts as if He’s going further. But they urge Him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over" (Luke 24:29). So, He goes in to stay with them.
And here’s the pivotal moment. "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight" (Luke 24:30-31).
It's at the table, in the familiar act of breaking bread, that their eyes are finally opened. They see Him! And in that instant, He's gone. They turn to each other, exclaiming, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).
Carly highlighted just how profound this moment is:
"When we come to the table, God reveals himself to us in new ways."
This story isn't just a historical account; it’s a beautiful illustration of how God often meets us in the ordinary, in moments of hospitality and shared experience, and how He uses Scripture to stir our hearts and open our eyes to His presence.
Connecting to Our Lives: More Than Just a Meal
So, what does a story from over 2,000 years ago, about a walk and a meal, have to do with us today in our busy, modern lives? Carly suggested, quite a lot!
1. Recognising Christ in the Everyday: Just like those disciples, Jesus walks with us every day, often unrecognised. The Emmaus story reminds us that Christ is present in our daily routines, our conversations, and especially in the people we encounter. It challenges us to look for Him, not just in church on a Sunday, but in the faces of our family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Who are the people we might be overlooking? The story encourages us to see Christ in others, especially the poor, the marginalised, and those in need, and to respond with love.
2. The Power of Shared Experience (The "Table"): Carly spoke about how tables in the Bible represent more than just furniture; they are "places of provision, grace, judgment, worship, fellowship, symbolizing God’s desire to be in communion with his people." Think about the tables in your own life. Where do you share meals? Where do you have meaningful conversations? These are modern-day "Emmaus tables" where we can encounter God and each other in deeper ways.
Carly shared powerfully about the different "tables" our mission partners create:
In the Philippines, they run feeding programs, teach discipleship, build capacity, and offer medical care – all happening around various "tables." Their new café is another extension of this "table ministry."
In Cambodia, Adam and Kate Honeybun teach children around a "table," enabling missionary parents to continue their work.
Robin Gezmann’s "Turntable" ministry in San Francisco pours out love to young adults around a table.
These examples show us that "table ministry" is about creating spaces for connection, listening, and experiencing God's love.
3. Fuelled by Scripture and Sacrament: Jesus first opened the Scriptures to the disciples, causing their hearts to burn. Then, He broke bread with them, and their eyes were opened. Carly reminded us that these two elements – God's Word and the shared experience of communion (or fellowship) – are foundational. Scripture gives us the message, and coming to "the table" (in whatever form that takes) gives us the strength and connection to live it out.
4. From Encounter to Action: The disciples didn't just have a lovely meal and a warm fuzzy feeling. Their response to recognising Jesus was immediate: "They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem" (Luke 24:33) to share the incredible news. Their encounter led directly to mission.
Carly put it beautifully:
"Table fellowship of Christian implies an obligation... it's given to us by God not merely for our own enjoyment but to be a witness to the world."
This is a call for us too. When we encounter Christ, when our hearts burn with His truth, we're not meant to keep it to ourselves. We're invited to share that Good News, that love, that hope, with the world around us – whether that’s our backyard, our workplace, or across the globe.
Conclusion: Don't Just Sit, Go!
The disciples on the road to Emmaus had their lives turned upside down (in the best way!) by a walk, a conversation, and a meal. Their eyes were opened, their hearts burned, and they couldn't wait to tell others.
Carly's prayer for us during this Mission Month, and beyond, is that we too "do not remain seated at the table." We are so blessed, so well-fed by the teaching and fellowship we receive. But the invitation is to take that nourishment and go. To share the good news, to extend God's love, to be His hands and feet wherever He calls us.
Mission isn't just for a select few; it's for all of us. It starts with a personal encounter with Christ, is fuelled by His Word and fellowship, and results in an urgent desire to share His love with others.
One Way to Live it Out This Week: Identify one "table" in your life this week – perhaps your dinner table, your coffee break at work, or even a virtual catch-up. Intentionally invite someone to share that space with you. Focus on truly listening to them, offering encouragement, and being open to how God might want to use that simple act of connection.
A Short Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for meeting us in the ordinary moments of life, just as You met those disciples on the road to Emmaus. Open our eyes to recognise You in the people around us and in the breaking of bread. Set our hearts burning with Your truth, and give us the courage to not just stay at the table, but to go out and share Your love with a world that desperately needs it. Amen.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
For Personal Reflection:
When have you experienced a "heartburn" moment, where God's truth or presence felt particularly real or stirring to you?
Who are the people in your daily life that you might be "walking with" but not fully "seeing" or recognising the presence of Christ in them?
What does "coming to the table" look like for you in this season of life, and how can you be more intentional about creating space for those encounters?
For Small Groups:
Share about a memorable meal or gathering around a table that was significant for you. What made it special?
Carly mentioned her first memory of a table wasn't a pleasant one, but then reflected on many significant life moments happening around tables. What are some of the different emotions or experiences tables have represented in your life?
In the Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35), the disciples didn't recognise Jesus at first. Why do you think that was? When are we most likely to miss seeing Jesus in our own lives?
Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples on the road, and their hearts "burned within them" (v.32). How does engaging with Scripture impact your understanding of and relationship with Jesus? How can we help each other engage more deeply with God's Word?
It was "when he was at the table with them" and "broke the bread" that their eyes were opened (v. 30-31). What is the significance of sharing a meal and/or communion in recognising Jesus and building community?
Carly quoted: "Table fellowship of Christian implies an obligation... it's given to us by God not merely for our own enjoyment but to be a witness to the world." How does this challenge or inspire you in your daily interactions and hospitality?
The disciples immediately went back to Jerusalem to share the good news (v.33). What practical steps can your group take this week or month to "not remain seated at the table" but to actively share the love and message of Christ with others?
How can we pray for one another this week as we seek to recognise Jesus in our daily lives and share His invitation with those around our "tables"?