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New Orleans is all about kings and queens at this time of year as we just celebrated King’s Day. Traditionally it represents the day we celebrate the day the kings bring gifts to baby Jesus. In New Orleans it is the official kick off to Carnival season, with bakeries doing double time baking king cakes.
I remember as a kid seeing the kings on the hand painted floats with their Gold crowns. The little paiges with their little gloved hands tossing doubloons and the royal-looking dukes on horseback. Mardi Gras has been called the Greatest Free Show on Earth. As a little girl with a big imagination, this was a live fairy tale and I was able to be a spectator and appreciate the sheer awesome extravagance on display.
As I got older I looked forward to catching highlights of Mardi Gras: King Rex toasting his Queen on Mardi Gras day. Wondering to myself what it must be like to have the best view and be toasted as Her Majesty. I also remember being excited to stay up late and catch the traditions of Mardi Gras evening: Comus and Rex meeting and watching the ball on television. Once again a spectator on the outside feeling that this was the closest I was ever going to get to royalty…
Then I got saved and KING had a whole new meaning! I know the ultimate King Jesus, and now I am no longer a spectator and I don’t feel left out anymore! I became a royal subject in the great show of life. Now, (not to seem self serving), eyes are on me. Not because of what I do, but because of who I am. I am a daughter of the One True King and I have the privilege of representing God’s Holy Family! Not just one day a year, but for eternity. I have the best seat in the house, right next to Jesus and there was nothing I had to do but ask.
The Sidewalk Prophets song, Come to the Table reminds me of just these feelings. The lyrics, put in perspective, all we have to do is sit down and be set free and our life is redeemed and we are welcome to take our place beside the Savior.
Sidewalk Prophets
Come to the Table
Album: Different NowWe all start on the outside
The outside looking in
This is where grace begins
We were hungry, we were thirsty
With nothing left to give
Oh the shape that we were in
Just when all hope seemed lost
Love opened the door for usHe said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior now
Sit down and be set free
Come to the tableCome meet this motley crew of misfits
These liars and these thiefs
There’s no one unwelcome here, no
So that sin and shame that you brought with you
You can leave it at the door
And let mercy draw you nearJust come to the table
Come join the sinners, you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior now
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Just come to the tableTo the thief, to the doubter
To the hero and the coward
To the prisoner and the soldier
To the young, to the older
All who hunger, all who thirst
All the last, all the first
All the paupers and the princes
All who fail you’ve been forgiven
All who dream, all who suffer
All who loved and lost another
All the chained, all the free
All who follow, all who lead
Anyone who’s been let down
All the lost you have been found
All who’ve been labeled right or wrong
Everyone who hears this songJust
Come, come to the table
Oh eh, come join the sinners you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Just sit down and be set free
Oh come on
Just sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come on now
Come to the table
You’re welcome hereSongwriters: Dave Frey / Ben Glover / Ben Mcdonald