What are our Tables?

A dear friend and mentor, who happens to be a brilliant, ahead of his time, educator who is thoroughly versed in the Scriptures challenged me today to think more on the idea of what are our ‘tables’ today. What tables would Jesus turn over in our churches, in our homes, in my life? As it applies to Muslims in America, and the missionary enterprise among least-reached peoples, what are the tables that need turning over? It is not simply well enough to point out the issues, but also to provide better ways of thinking/being/doing and to stimulate change.

There is at least one of those 'tables' or barriers that is the same as it was in Jesus’ day. Exclusionism might be a good word. The Jews were excluding the nations, judging them unworthy of participating in worship, possibly in the name of patriotism for some, pure profit for others. They were even likely taking advantage of the nations by charging exorbitant prices for things, and being unfair in currency exchange, as even my son's childrens' Bible points out.

What are our tables? Have we excluded the nations? I have exalted my need to be 'right' at the expense of others, even my dear friends among the nations. We have feared diversity, because it may identify us with a certain political party, and lessen the weekly giving average at our local church. We have turned away from and avoided 'the nations' in our neighborhoods and work places. And some of us, myself included, even in our evangelistic attempts, have charged exorbitant prices that Muslims and others are unwilling to pay in the cultural cost we charge for admission to our little fiefdom of God's Kingdom. This ought not be.

Simply pointing out the wrong, or this author's opinion of the wrong, does not suffice. I have not yet begun writing the latter part of The Outer Court which must and will include practical steps to righting the tables, and placing them in their proper places. This writing process is as much about self-discovery and self-analysis as it is about a plea for the nations. As one of my chapters is entitled 'Dealing with the Log' we've all got to deal with the log before we can start picking at the speck. My head is swarming with ideas, thank you Dr. J.