In the Presence of My Enemies

“You Prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

Psalm23:5

It was probably the lowest point in King David’s life.  .  His own son, Absalom had become his enemy.  Absalom had forced David to flee Jerusalem.  Now Absalom had marched out of Jerusalem with a mighty army.  He had one aim in mind – to kill his father David.  David and his men were in hiding – weak, isolated hungry.  That night, with his enemy poised to attack him, three friends came to David - They brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert.”  I wonder if this is the event that David had in mind when he penned these words from the 23^rd Psalm – “You Prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

On a much more minor scale a similar thing happened to Linda and I while in Israel.  After visiting one archeological site, our tour took off walking into the desert. After 3 or 4 tiring miles, we were suddenly greeted by a group of Bedouin children.  They took us to their home.  The families invited us in, sat us down in the shade and made flat bread for us over an open fire.  Our guide explained that such hospitality is the deeply ingrained, millennia old custom of their people.  They invite you in.  They feed you.  They protect you.  Even should they not like you, once you are under their roof, they would give even their own lives to protect you. They prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies.

That is what Jesus did for His disciples on Maundy Thursday Good Friday and Easter.  Jesus knew that His enemies were preparing to attack him.  He knew they were already plotting to arrest him, beat him, crown him with thorns and put Him to death.  Jesus knew what would happen to the disciples - Judas would betray him… Peter would deny him…all his friends would desert him. So before all that happened, He prepared a table for them, in the very presence of their enemies.  That night in the midst of the Passover meal, He gave them new holy meal that would sustain them in their daily battle with the evil one.  While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Then Jesus went out to face the enemy in their defense.  When the soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus made sure that they know He was the one they wanted, not these other men.  When Peter tried to strike with the sword, Jesus told him to put it away.   Jesus went to the cross.  Jesus bled and suffered and died.   He gave His life rather than lose any who were His.   And He conquered.  On the third day He rose again.   IN the presence of the enemy, He defended them… defended us.

We are no different than David or the disciples. Our enemies are all over the place, looking for the opportunity to attack.  The devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  The temptations of the world are no further away than your TV remote control or your hook up to the internet.  Yet most dangerous of all is the enemy who lurks with in – the old sinful you – the one who loves the attention you get when you gossip… the one who convinces you that your addiction isn’t really an addiction… that you aren’t hurting anyone…. the you that lies to your family or cover up your guilt… the old you, the selfish you, the lustful you, the jealous you… Then just when you yield to sin, Satan Himself attacks.  The accuser accuses you – “How can you call yourself a Christian?  Your faith isn’t very strong.”  At times we are just like David – worn out, impatient, discouraged, spiritually tired, seemingly defeated in our daily battle with Satan, the world and our own flesh.

It’s for you and me, in the presence of such enemies – that Jesus went out to do battle.  He faced Satan’s temptations in the garden… the lies they told about him at His trial… the horrible physical beatings.   On the cross he bore the pain of your sin. He redeemed you from the curse of the law by Himself being cursed for you.   Then He conquered your enemies.  On the third day He was raised to life again.   That’s how He delivered this world, delivered you and me from the old evil foe.

Now in the presence of your enemies He prepares His table for you and me.  He invites you to come.   He gives you His body and blood, the very price He paid to win the victory for you.  Here he assures you of forgiveness… He shows you the full extent of His love for you.  I am always amazed at how God uses this meal  I had one person tell me “Pastor I felt so down and defeated by all that has been happening to me.  Then you brought me the Lord’s Supper.  What a difference this meal makes.  Here God anchored me again.  Here God reminded me that no matter what I have done. no matter how bad things get or how down I feel… even if I don’t understand what God is doing - the fact remains that He loves me.  He has redeemed me.  He has defeated all my enemies. That’s a fact that doesn’t depend on me or how I feel.”  Yes, our Lord comes to us, in the very presence of our enemy… at that moment when we often feel so defeated – He invites us in.  He prepares this table. He feeds us this meal.  He brings us this great reminder that no matter what we face, we need not be discouraged.  He has already won the victory. What a gift it is to live in His house, at His table, under His care.  Amen!