Daily Jewel

by J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Oct. 17, 2011

“Clean Hands, Face, Clothes and Heart”
“The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.” – Proverbs 9:2 (MSG, emphasis mine)

The food is prepared and has been served. It’s on my plate and ready for me to “dig in.” Excuse me, I almost forgot my manners—before I can begin eating I need to get my napkin in my lap—and then and only then can I start eating. It makes me wonder, given what we have learned in the previous messages, where did this idea and practice of napkins come into play? The first napkin was a lump of dough the Spartans called 'apomagdalie', a mixture cut into small pieces and rolled and kneaded at the table, a custom that led to using sliced bread to wipe the hands. In Roman times, napkins known as sudaria and mappae were made in both small and large lengths. The sudarium, Latin for "handkerchief," was a pocket-size fabric made to blot the brow during meals in the warm Mediterranean climate. The mappa was a larger cloth spread over the edge of the couch as protection from food taken in a reclining position. The fabric was also used to blot the lips. Although each guest supplied his own mappa, on departure mappae were filled with delicacies leftover from the feast, a custom that continues today in restaurant "doggy bags." In the early Middle Ages, the napkin disappeared from the table and hands and mouths were wiped on whatever was available. (Sounds like my household!) It might have been the back of the hand, clothing, or a piece of bread. Later, a few amenities returned and the table was laid with three cloths approximately 4 to 6 feet long by 5 feet wide. The first cloth, called a couch (from French, coucher, meaning "to lie down") was laid lengthwise before the master's place. A long towel called a surnappe, meaning "on the cloth," was laid over the couch; this indicated a place setting for an honored guest. The third cloth was a communal napkin that hung like a swag from the edge of the table. An example can be seen in The Last Supper by Dierik Bouts (1415-1475), which hangs in Saint Peter's Church, Louvain, Belgium. In the late Middle Ages the communal napkin was reduced to about the size of our average bath towel. Today in the United States, the napkin is placed on the left of the cover. But in Europe, the napkin is often laid to the right of the spoon. (The Art of the Table, by Suzanne Von Drachenfels, 2009) Like many of the other elements at our table we have discussed in past couple of days the napkin has certainly “evolved” from being non-existent in Solomon’s day, to an important part of our daily meal routines. However, unlike the other elements, the napkin has gone from something that was elaborate—strong—costly—to something that is cheap and dare-I-say easily discarded and quickly tossed in the garbage. It is really no different in our house. For probably 360 days of the year (out of 365) we use cheap disposable napkins—sometimes it may require more than one to get the job done, unless I sneak in an occasional shirtsleeve. In some restaurants, malls primarily, the napkins are so paper thin it takes a dozen just to wipe your face once!! And then on a couple of special occasions we break out the really nice cloth napkins—the kind that could soak up a swimming pool but gives the meal an atmosphere of that makes being there worth the time and the effort. We know it means having to wash and dry them but in the end it is worth the price. When I consider all this I can see how “the napkin” can easily represent how we treat our relationships with others and more importantly the relationship that matters the most—with Jesus!! Too often many of the relationships we have in life (or those that should matter the most) go through an evolution. From non-existent to initial to wonderful—extravagant—then to a point where we take the other person for granted. It happens with friendships and can easily happen in marriages! Unfortunately I have seen far too many Christians do this with their relationship with Jesus! Here God has brought us to His table—not just any table mind you but one that has best food to be found, prepared by the best chefs in the world. He asks us to come dressed to the banquet in our finest—but we did not have to buy the clothes because He said He would cloth us in His righteousness! Essentially He has given us the best that He has to offer, namely He has given us His Son—but instead of laying the nice cloth napkin across our laps to protect our clothes or tuck it in our shirt, we discard it and use our sleeves or the table cloth or what is worse—don’t even bother to clean ourselves up at all. The napkin is about living a clean life. Protecting our heart with His Wisdom and His word. In fact what good is His word if we read it but do not live it? If we allow ourselves to be “soiled” then we’ve missed the point entirely. Today’s message is rather lengthy but I want to conclude it by saying—don’t settle for cheap easy relationships that are easily disposed of and by all means do not treat Jesus or the Church (His people) with the same lack of respect. Treat each day and each relationship like a special occasion where you use the nice cloth napkins! It may mean putting out a little effort but in the end is always worth it!! Now…do I tuck it in my shirt and look like a nerd or do I lay it across my lap? That one is still up for debate!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell