January 24 - Got Anything to Eat?

 Read today’s texts first: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Eating together breaks down the social and cultural barriers – it’s the incarnation at its fullest expression 

In the middle of the thrill of victory (the resurrection of Jesus – Luke 24) and the agony of defeat (the routing of the Egyptians – Exodus 9-11), I noticed something trivial by comparison but remarkable in its own way.  Jesus liked food.  I was first alerted to this little- talked-about fact by Gayle Erwin, the portly author of the book Jesus Style.  Gayle, perhaps looking to justify his own rotund body-type, hypothesized that Jesus may have been rather robust Himself, certainly not the skinny, almost emaciated man we see portrayed so often in renaissance paintings.

The evidence for his theory is seen in the Luke 24 passage.  The disciples walked the full seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus with Jesus talking to them the whole time, but it wasn’t until they sat down to eat that they recognized Him.  As He was passing them the Mozza bread (30) everything suddenly becomes familiar: “that’s Him!”  When He shows up to the whole group of disciples back in Jerusalem, one of the first things He says (no doubt to remind them of Who they’re talking to) is, “got anything to eat?” (41). From the John account, when He appears to them on the beach of Galilee, He invites them to “come and have breakfast” (21:12).  John writes that no one had to ask Who He was – they knew it was the Lord!

Obviously Jesus and His disciples enjoyed their meals together.  In fact, Jesus was a popular party guest wherever He went.  If there were appetizers, He was there!  The Pharisees referred to Him as a “friend of sinners” – we should have such a reputation!  We need to learn what God our Creator already knows – people like to eat.  The Alpha program got it right when they set up for evangelism around the dinner table.  Gayle Erwin has decided to start his own church movement built around an eating ministry called “Calorie Chapel!”

While this topic is intended to be light-hearted, there’s truth in it.  The gospel, and those who embrace it, need to be where people live.  Eating together breaks down the social and cultural barriers – it’s the incarnation at its fullest expression.  When we sit down to eat with our family, friends, neighbours, and coworkers, they may just recognize Jesus too!  “Lord, may I continue to practice what You modeled for me on earth and earn Your reputation as a friend of sinners.”