There is a saying that the better the food, the bigger the crowd. Last weekend, the Inter-Generation Fellowship at our church held a BBQ at the park and attracted more people than usual. Since I was also first drawn to church by delicious food, I am always supportive for this kind of outreach. I prepared lamb skewers grilled over charcoal for the event. It was matched by the grilled wild-caught perch from Brother Chen. Together we offered a delicious combo, as the Chinese character for delicious is literally composed of half character that means “lamb” and the other half character that means “fish”. They became instant hits at the party. The demand even exceeded our supplies and we had to send some people away empty-handed.
Chinese
churches are known for enjoying food together, because in many Eastern
cultures, eating is a communal activity. Even in the Bible, it shows that
whenever God’s people gather, they always would share a meal. When the
Israelites made sacrifices, for some sacrifices, the sacrificial animals must
be burnt. For other types, the sacrificial animals must be eaten right away.
Therefore, eating became an inseparable part of ancient sacrifice. And
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God;
and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’
father-in-law before God. (Exod. 18:12 ESV) When the Israelites
celebrate Passover, it is mainly a family supper with an entire grilled lamb as
the required main dish. For Christians, the Holy Communion is to repeat the
last supper Jesus shared with His disciples. As for our future hope, it comes
down to a meal ticket at the Lamb’s wedding feast that we may share with all
the saints. As Jesus said, I tell you, many will come from east and
west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of
heaven, (Matt. 8:11 ESV) He also personally assured His
disciples, Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of
the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Mk.
14:25 ESV) He essentially promised a toast with all of us on that wedding
feast, and this meal is booked with certainty. No wonder someone made this
comment, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of
God!” (Lk. 14:15 ESV)
If Chinese
culture places emphasis on food itself, the Bible focuses on the communal,
dining experience. As Proverbs says, Better is a dinner of herbs where
love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. (Prov. 15:17 ESV) And
food companion is so much more important than the food itself. As Jesus
announced, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with
me. (Rev. 3:20 ESV) It is okay to not have the latest trending
delicacies on your table, as long as Jesus is at the table. For those who
pursue after delicacies, food can drive them away from God. For the
kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17 ESV) For those who
pursue after God, fellowship meals can actually bring us closer to
God (Matt. 18:20). We believe that at the final wedding feast in heaven, there
will be seats reserved for all of us. Therefore, in Christian faith, there is
always room for meals.
It does not
mean that we must have to have a meal for every gathering. But every Christian
gathering is like sharing a meal, because we do take something in, as Jeremiah
the Prophet says, Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words
became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O
LORD, God of hosts. (Jer. 15:16 ESV) Like physical food refreshes our
strength, eating with friends gladdens our heart; the Word of God strengthens
our faith and makes us fearless in life, as it is written, You prepare
a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. (Ps. 23:5 ESV) Every time when we gather in the name
of the Lord, we are sitting at the table prepared by God for our spiritual nourishment.
The best food of this meal is not grilled lamb or other delicacies, but as
Jesus promised, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matt. 5:6 ESV)
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