May 26, 2002
The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel
Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lessons: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; St. Matthew 28:16-20
There is a beautiful Russian icon of the Holy Trinity, painted, or as the Orthodox say, “written” by a monk named Rublev. It depicts the three Divine Persons of the Trinity sitting at a table. But the thing that immediately strikes you is the fact that at the front of the table there’s a vacant place. Now, to some, that might seem like only good art. If you’re making a painting of three people, you wouldn’t want one of them with their back to you, so of course, you’d have the three positioned at the left, the back and the right of the painting, so that all three are visible to the viewer. We see that in old “Leave it to Beaver”, and “Father Knows Best” episodes. Whenever the family would gather at the table, they were seated on the sides and the back, leaving the front open for the television audience. But icons aren’t like TV, and for that matter, icons aren’t like any other art form. They are painted, or written so that every aspect, every detail, every feature of the icon says something. There are no practical concerns in iconography—only theological meaning and truth. So, when you see the icon of the Holy Trinity, you have to ask, “Why is the fourth place at the table—the place right in front of us, empty? Since it’s an icon of the Trinity, why not have a triangular-shaped table, with three sides, inside of four?
The reason for the fourth place, what we might call the vacant place in the icon, is that it shows the open-ness, the welcome of the Holy Trinity, towards humanity. Because in fact, that vacant place, is for us—for you and for me, and for each and every person that the Blessed Trinity would like to bring into their fellowship. That’s what this icon signifies—the truth that God invites each of us to share in their life, and their communion. The truth that there is always one more place at the table of our God. The truth that God doesn’t want to exclude anyone from being involved in God’s kingdom. And not only does God not want to exclude anyone, but God wants to welcome everyone, to His table! Interesting, if you or I were to paint an icon, we might envision God in all kinds of places—majestic places, like on a mountain-top, or in a celestial palace. We might envision God floating in the sky on a cloud. But who would think to depict God, the Holy Trinity, sitting together at a table, as comfortable and as natural as mom and dad and grandpa. But again, it’s intentional, in that it shows that God doesn’t entertain His children up in some kind of chrome and glass mansion where you stand, uncomfortably afraid you’re going to mess up the carpet. And God doesn’t look down upon you from some lofty judge’s bench, peering over his glasses just to make you feel all the more insignificant and hard-to-see, or notice. No, this icon emphasizes, proclaims, really, that God invites us to come in, and sit at His table. He wants to share with us. He wants us to be at home with Him; indeed, on the table in front of the Holy Trinity is a bowl, with food, making it clear this is no table of inquisition—nor a table for money collecting or recording accounts. There is no transaction taking place, but feeding—nourishing, breaking bread together, being family together, at the dinner table. And what a powerful image that is for us, and for all people in a world where the most common feelings are alienation, loneliness, hostility, disconnectedness. What a powerful truth for our world today, to know that our graceful, loving God invites and welcomes all people to come and eat with Him; to be reconciled with the Holy Trinity to the point where Creator and creature, can sit down at table together and share a meal. And of course, not just any meal, but the food of the kingdom. The holy meal of the holy family, that is not just for the rich and powerful. That is not just for the in-crowd. That is not just for those who are happy and successful in life. That is not just for those who have it all together. But it’s for all—even and especially for those who are struggling. Even and especially for those who feel like a failure sometimes. Even and especially for those whose lives most often appear to be coming apart at the seams. It’s those who feel most disconnected and confused and alienated, who need to be connected with God, and a part of a fellowship where they are invited and welcomed. Which is why in the icon, there are no place-cards at the vacant place at the table. There’s no waiting list, no dress code, and certainly, no money needing to be slipped to the host, to assure you a place at the table. It’s wide open, and anyone can come. And believe it or not, God wants anyone, and everyone to come! Which is why Jesus says to us, to you and to me, as to his eleven disciples, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
The Great Commission is really nothing more, or less than the Great Invitation! As Jesus sends us forth, from here, to make disciples, by inviting them to be baptized, to become part of God’s family, to take their place at the table! Making disciples is simply going and inviting—people from all nations and peoples, people from all races and backgrounds, people from all families and neighborhoods, to come, become part of God’s eternal family. To come, take a seat at the table, where you will be fed, where you will commune with God, where you will be taught, all that Jesus has commanded us. The Great Commission is not so formidable as it might seem, when we think of it as a Great Invitation. Because, hey, who likes to be on the outside, looking in? Who likes to be left out? No one wants to be excluded. No one wants to feel they’re not wanted. So there’s already an opening there for us to extend the Great Invitation! There’s already an opening there for us to tell someone about our wonderful God, and how God comes to us as Father, Son and Spirit. There’s already an opening there for us to say, simply, “Come—the table’s ready—there’s a place for you!”
This week, as we celebrate, all week, the Festival of the Holy Trinity, consider someone you might know, or several someones you might know, who doesn’t know God has a place waiting for them at His table. Or someone who has been at the table before, but has gotten so busy, or so pre-occupied that they’ve all but given up their place at the table. And then, extend to them the Great Invitation! Let them know they’re invited, and welcome! Let them know that God wants to embrace them in Holy Baptism, and love them in the communion of believers, and feed them at the table of the Lord. Let them know that God has a place, ready and waiting for them. And maybe, they’re just waiting for an invitation. And maybe you’re just the one to extend that invitation! Amen.