breaking bread
May 6, 2009
So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
READ: Deuteronomy 16:13-17
Last month my brothers and our families enjoyed an outstanding dinner with our Amish cousins. The Amish begin every dinner with a silent prayer of thanksgiving, and—perhaps because their homemade meals are so delicious—they do it again at the end. Besides their terrific food, I was struck by the Amish emphasis on fellowship. Mealtime wasn’t merely a refueling pit stop, but an opportunity to laugh and talk deep into the night. I think they’re on to something.
Meals are important in Scripture, as well. Israel’s most important memory is marked by a meal. On Passover night, as Jewish families share roasted lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, they remember their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. Throw in the Festivals of Unleavened Bread, Harvests, and Shelters, and the Israelites gathered often with God and each other around bountiful tables of food (Deut. 16:16).
Jesus also attended a variety of meals—so much so, that his enemies said he was a drunk and a glutton (Matthew 11:19). Jesus gave us a special supper to remember Him by, and He will return to host us at His marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
The first Christians caught the spirit and “shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:46), often concluding their time together with the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42,46;20:7). Mealtime was so sacred that Paul advised Christians to avoid unrepentant brothers by refusing even to “eat with such people” (1 Corinthians 5:11).
As heirs to this rich tradition, how can we turn our dinners into community celebrations? We can turn off the TV, invite others to eat with us, and encourage our children to join the conversation. Eating together isn’t just about food; it’s fellowship. —Mike Wittmer
Do you regularly enjoy leisurely meals with family and friends? What can you do to improve mealtimes in your home?
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Last Thursday, I was on leave. I took my mum to a nice restaurant and gave her a treat. She was delighted. I thank God for the blessing of food and the variety of ways in which they are prepared. yums!
For me, the combination of like-minded Christians, God’s Word and a genuine love for each other makes a great recipe for a fruitful fellowship over a meal!