Come to the Table
Meditations on the Lord’s Supper
by George M. Knox and Ronald E. Heine
Imprint: Cascade Books
The cross and empty tomb form the center of the Christian faith. The church celebrates these two events in what is traditionally referred to as the Lord's Supper. It is the custom in some Christian traditions to have a brief meditation related to the Lord's Supper immediately prior to participation. These may be given by the pastor or by a layperson who presides over the ceremony. This book is a series of meditations delivered prior to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. It is our hope that they will be useful for laypeople who perform this service. They may also be helpful as private meditations on the central events of the Christian faith.
George M. Knox is professor emeritus of New Testament and homiletics at Bushnell University, Eugene, Oregon. He served as a pastor in Oregon for twenty-two years before joining the faculty of Northwest Christian College (now Bushnell University).
Ronald E. Heine is professor emeritus of Bible and theology at Bushnell University, Eugene, Oregon. He is author of numerous books and articles on early Christianity. Most recently he edited, with Karen Jo Torjesen, The Oxford Handbook of Origen (2022).
“From the introduction which points us to a deeper reverence and understanding of the Lord’s Supper and the significance that it holds, this book offers pastors and lay leaders alike a useful resource for ministry. Come to the Table contains a variety of excellent stories and illustrations that are tied to the calendar year that could easily be used to impact church worship around the practice of communion.”
—Barry Lind, senior pastor, Northwood Christian Church
“When I prepare thoughts for the Lord’s Supper, I’m always looking for a good thought, a biblical insight, and a fresh idea. Thanks to Knox and Heine, I now have sixty new meditations. If you are needing help preparing an introduction to the Lord’s Supper or just want a book to help you find the heart of our faith, Come to the Table is the resource for you.”
—Milton Jones, president, Christian Relief Fund
“Knox and Heine, with scholarly minds and pastoral hearts, offer every elder, deacon, congregational member, and gospel minister who presides over the Lord's Table sixty concise and Christ-saturated devotional reflections on our King's meal. Come to the Table is a needed resource which blends beautiful and thoughtful stories from everyday life, from authors like Henri Nouwen, from the apostolic fathers, and from mature reflection, each set alongside wisely chosen biblical passages. What a gift.”
—J. K. Jones, Lincoln Christian University
“In every family, coming to the table helps form identity in community. For followers of Jesus, the family table is communion. This book is a gift to the church. It is both deep in history and tradition, yet also current and applicable to the life of faith today. The powerfully grounding introduction and the sixty Christ-centered meditations all invite us to joyfully and humbly come to the table and feast!”
—Tim Knight, pastor, Highline Christian Church