Are You Hungry?

One of the things that I love about the scriptures is how we get a picture of how Jesus lived day to day.  What would it have been like to hang out with the Jesus posse?

If we sit back and let our imagination fill in the gaps of everyday life, we have to conclude that if Jesus was a real guy and he was who He said He was, then He did regular everyday things like we do.

One of those things was eating.  Jesus did not usually like to eat alone.  

I had breakfast alone this morning.  It was a hurried meal.  I was super hungry and I just wanted to get it over with.  

Meals are usually a social event, meant to serve two purposes.  The first of course is to satisfy hunger.  Without food we just die, so that's bad.  The second objective of the meal is to sit down for a short period of time and share the events of the day or discuss topics of interest.  It's ironic that talking has such a big part to play in an activity that involves filling your mouth!  I guess it's because if someone is chewing, another person has the floor for a few minutes!

Dinner guests are another thing.  Who we CHOOSE to eat with says a lot.  Because the evening meal is supposed to be a time where conversation flows, Who's at the table makes a big difference!  If you think you're just there to eat, think again!  Like it or not, you will be the odd one out if you just crunch your salad and slurp your soup without adding to the discussion at hand. 

We have the luxury of sending out an invitation to anyone we want to come over to partake of our daily bread.  The scriptures say Jesus would come over and eat at your house if He was invited!  Did it matter your status?  Was it a prerequisite that your house be spic and span?  Did you have to cook gluten free?  NO!  You just had to open the door and put something down!

Jesus ate with many people who were considered what you might call undesirable or "sinners".   Why?  Because He was invited!

The act of hanging and eating with tax collectors and sinners caused Him to be accused of bad behavior. 

How could you sit down and eat with people who were not "holy"?  One guy even said to the disciple gang, "Why does your master eat with sinners?"

What I like about a meal with Jesus is that there was no us vs them with Jesus...it was just US,  Just humanity.  One big family, where all are welcome!

His response was this "Those that are not sick, don't need a doctor!"

Why would He choose one group over another?  We all need time with Him.  The meal is the perfect time to chit chat about the things that matter most in a relaxed atmosphere!

I would have loved to have sat down for pizza with Jesus and just ask Him a ton of questions!

Is this why most of our praying happens at the dinner table?

I don't know but now I am hungry, both in my tummy and in my spirit!