Revelation 19:9 – “And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’”
The Apostle John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” At first glance, this can seem like arrogance, but I think it could be more about perspective rather than pride. If anybody knew the love of Jesus and saw it displayed, it was John. John witnessed the love of Jesus first hand.
John saw Jesus minister with truth and love for three years. He heard the accusations that Jesus was a friend of sinners, and he knew them to be true. He sat at those tables with Jesus, across from tax collectors and prostitutes. He heard the many conversations that we don’t have recorded in our Scriptures, yet we see the outcomes of. Take Zacchaeus, for example, a chief tax collector. The religious grumbled when Jesus dined with him, and John was likely right there with Him. While we don’t know exactly what was said at that table, we do see the outcome of the conversation in Luke 19:8-10: “Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John was reclining at another table next to Jesus during the Last Supper where he saw the love of Jesus perfectly demonstrated. He saw Jesus wash the feet of Judas, who would soon betray Him and turn Him over to the authorities. He saw Jesus wash Peter’s feet right before telling Peter that he would soon deny Him three times in His hour of greatest need. And at that same time, John heard Jesus say the words, “Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” At that table that night, John not only heard of the love of Jesus, he saw it demonstrated. But His love didn’t stop there.
John was the only disciple to see Jesus fully demonstrate His love through sacrifice. He was there when Jesus was nailed to the cross and heard Him utter the words, “Father, forgive them.” While Jesus was hanging there, He looked down at John and asked him to take care of His mother. Then he saw Jesus breathe His last breath. John would later go on to write 1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers,” echoing what Jesus said right next to John at that table the Last Supper. John saw love in action. He knew it, and he was changed by it.
Before John passed away into the presence of Jesus, he saw visions of Jesus in glory at another table—the great marriage supper of the Lamb. The Lamb who had been slain was reclining at a table, breaking bread, commemorating and celebrating the victory that His shed blood had brought…a victory that will last forever. John knew Jesus loved him. There was always room at the table. Not only for him, but for enemies who would become Jesus’ friends and for sinners who would find forgiveness. Even now, there’s room at the table for you and me.
Channing Gillespie brings this thought home so beautifully and powerfully in his song, “There is Room.” He sings “Guilty sinner, once condemned; There is room, room for you; Every sin, He will forgive; Come and sit, there is room; Come and dine now with the Master; There’s a place prepared for you; In remembrance of the Savior; Come and sit, there is room.”
Will you come to the table prepared for you today? There is room.
Channing and Jacob will be partnering again for the second annual NIGHT OF HOPE on September 25. Tickets have been graciously paid for by the community for the first 100 to register. We would love for you to be a part of this inspirational night of lecture, testimony, and songs of hope.
View the previous devotional here.
Reason for Hope 
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