Food!
| When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke24:30-32) |
What do these have in common?
Fellowship, Intimacy, Trust, Vulnerability and the presence of and blessing of God.
Jesus was accused of being a glutton, drunkard and friend of sinners – why? Because He was always eating with people! Just think about how many important things happened at meal times:
- The institution of the Last Supper,
- Zacchaeus' repentance,
- The woman washing His feet with her hair,
- Mary anointing Him for burial,
- Jesus stating: It's not healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...
- According to Mark, the Risen Christ appeared to the disciples while they were eating,
- The return of the Prodigal Son was marked by – you guessed it – food.
This simple act of eating together can be a very powerful thing. The Emmaus Duo discovered it – and the Church in the UK is discovering it too. When the Church of England came to a point of acknowledging its decline in post-modern Great Britain, they began a church planting movement called "Fresh Expressions." This is an exciting and powerful movement. They have small church communities in pubs, in "Clamberclubs" for kids, in dockside flatland complexes, in surfer coffee shops, in groups that gather to bake (and break) bread, skateboard clubs, moms & tots groups and various other settings. This is church out of the cathedrals and into the community – it is vibrant – and growing!
Guess what one thing all these fresh expressions of church have in common?? They eat together - a lot!
Take time to savour each meal you have with others – recognise that sharing a meal with others is a holy moment – pregnant with the possibility of God doing something special.
