Title of the Artwork: Table Fellowship
Author: Don LAM (CCST Vancouver Master of Theological Studies student)

This piece is based on my presentation topic, Table Fellowship, for the New Testament Introduction course. 

“Table Fellowship” is a significant theme in Christianity. Jesus used it to embody the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven. He did not exclude those rejected by the Pharisees, such as “tax collectors and sinners,” but instead built relationships with them. 

In Jewish culture, sharing a meal at the same table symbolizes mutual acceptance within a community and the maintenance of relationships. In the church, although we may not share familial ties and differ in identity, social class, or status, each eucharist serves as a reminder to all participants: “In Christ, we have become one family.” 

This painting merges first-person and third-person perspectives. Before you is a Chinese-style dining table with the act of breaking bread at its center. As the Chinese saying goes, “Food is the supreme enjoyment of the people. " So, too, does the Kingdom of Heaven present itself through food. In addition to people, the body of Christ is present at the table, connecting our relationships. Everyone is treated equally at the dining table, sharing the abundance in God.