Welcome at His table

Welcome at His table. Welcome at His table.

Key points

• So, look at how God in Christ welcomes you to His table, and then ask yourself: How is His Spirit prompting me to step over a divide?
• And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. – Ruth 2: 14.
• Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975.
• No matter how dark and dramatic the events of life may appear to be, God still cares for His individuals and works out His purposes.
• Boaz is an example of someone whose actions were the bridge between isolation and the acceptance God offers.

Welcome at His table. Welcome at His table. By: Alistair Begg – September 10, 2026.

At mealtime Boaz remarked to her, "Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine." So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. – Ruth 2: 14.

You and I are called to be bridges that span the gap between the experience of isolation and a life of divine acceptance.

For Ruth, Boaz was that bridge. In the middle of a long workday, Boaz invited his workers to enjoy a meal. He additionally welcomed Ruth to eat among the established harvesters. It is straightforward to miss the significance of this. Ruth was a stranger, a foreigner, and a woman. Boaz's actions were unexpected and culturally counterintuitive. They were Christlike.

Boaz is an example of someone whose actions were the bridge between isolation and the acceptance God offers. As a Moabite, Ruth would have looked and acted differently from those in Bethlehem. Additionally, the widowed status of Ruth and Naomi would have isolated them in plenty of social circles. But since God's love had filled his heart, Boaz disregarded any hint of prejudice he might have had and welcomed Ruth to his table.

Boaz didn't stop at making sure Ruth felt comfortable by his actions alone. No, he additionally produced sure the other workers were treating Ruth with acceptance and kindness, and he didn't leave her to struggle as she learned the skills of her new trade (Ruth 2: 15-16). He went above and beyond to provide and care for her.

Do we do the same for unbelievers, new believers, or visitors at our churches? A Christian is by definition a recipient of God's covenant love. So a Christian ought to be the first one to include the outcast-the first one to say, "You're welcome here! We're glad you're here! Please participate! Will you join me?" We are called to stand against the tide of all-too-common selfish exclusivity and the equally pernicious habit of only spending time with and extending welcome to those who are like us.

We find the bravery required to be a bridge and not a barrier when we look to our own acceptance by God in Christ. Boaz's inclusion of Ruth-despite her race, social standing, and lack of work experience-points to the eternal story of God's greatest welcome. The holy God called throughout the boundaries between Jew and Gentile, enslaved and free, saying to sinners, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!" (Isaiah 45: 22). We must turn our gaze afresh to the cross, for there we learn what it means to be loved and welcomed by God. Only then will we be able to truly love and welcome others.

So, look at how God in Christ welcomes you to His table, and then ask yourself: "How is His Spirit prompting me to step over a divide? Who is He calling me to create welcome at my table?" Concerning the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Alistair Begg September 7, 2026. The tapestry of God's providence.

What often appears to us to be a mess of knots is just the back view of the tapestry God is weaving. More From This Author. Faith Alistair Begg September 4, 2026. Obtain up and secure on. Faith Alistair Begg September 3, 2026. A theology of grief. Faith Alistair Begg September 2, 2026. God of the ordinary. Faith Alistair Begg September 9, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg September 1, 2026. The valley of decision. There are moments throughout life that demand a decision. Faith Alistair Begg August 31, 2026. This is the Lord's doing.

No matter how dark and dramatic the events of life may appear to be, God still cares for His individuals and works out His purposes. News Jeremy Pittari September 9, 2026.

Transportation commissioner, MDOT executive director clash over funding, Horn Lake stop light. News Jill Colvin, Associated Press September 9, 2026.

Republicans gather in Dallas for two-day midterm convention billed as a 'Trump-a-Palooza'. News Clara Turnage September 9, 2026. Ole Miss, Texas A&M Engineering partner to fuel Martian exploration. Business Frank Corder September 9, 2026. Mayo Clinic Laboratories investing $30 million, creating 234 jobs in Southaven. Business Frank Corder September 3, 2026. Mississippi middle of the pack in State Tax Competitiveness Index. Business Frank Corder September 2, 2026. Gulf Ship investing $44 million to expand Gulfport shipyard. Culture Eddie Pells, Associated Press September 8, 2026.

Southeastern Conference leaders to discuss kicking LSU out of league over player eligibility dispute. Culture Meredith Biesinger September 8, 2026. Elvis '56 Returns: Tupelo celebrates a historic homecoming. Culture Alistair Begg September 8, 2026. In practice, the Lord be with you. Opinion Delbert Hosemann September 9, 2026. Senator Cochran was right on timber. Opinion Sid Salter September 9, 2026. Adam Telle's appointment makes Mississippi's robust defense influence even stronger. Opinion Lesley Davis September 8, 2026. The socialist takeover isn't so quiet anymore.

In short, welcome at His table is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.