10-24-2021

 Good Morning All!

      Matthew 9:10; “And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.”    

    Mealtime can be one of the most important times in our day. Some meals can be some of the most important times of your lives. Think of the first meal you ate with your future spouse. Think of the first meal you ate with your future in-laws. Think of the meals that you have spent with your family or friends. When you are with those whom you love, the food seems to taste better. It seems to be made with love.

    I remember as a child we would have many meals with uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, great aunts, and uncles. We would sit around the table, enjoy the meal, and then enjoy the time of talking and listening. The younger ones would sit and listen to their past being told to them in very carefully crafted and honed stories. The older members would listen to their future as the dreams of tomorrow were expressed.

    Sometimes, the best times are spent with friends around the meal table. You share stories of children as they grow and before too long; you are sharing stories of grandchildren. Time spent with family and friends around the meal table makes even unbearable events tolerable. It is often around a table with food on it that friends cry together over the death of a parent or spouse. We use the meal table for some of our most important life events.

    Jesus spends a lot of time around the meal table with people. Some, like our verse, were among the outcasts of Jewish society. Other times, Jesus is eating with the Pharisees and debating the meaning of the Law. Jesus spends much of his time eating meals with the people that he interacts with. It appears that the common event was to have him over for a meal after the Sabbath was done. The only question was whether it was with the Jewish leaders or with the Jewish outcasts.

    Jesus spends this time in much the same way that we do. He used this time to listen to the people but mostly to try and to teach them with a more in depth understanding of what the kingdom of heaven meant and how God was a God who loved them as dear children. Jesus used the mealtime table to deliver his message of salvation. This gave him a personal, intimate time with those to whom he came. He shared with them the meal as he told them his salvation.

    Jesus comes to us in the form of a meal today. He comes to us in his body and blood with all of its spirit refreshing and soul reviving benefits.  Jesus comes to you with his personal and intimate message of salvation. He comes to you, and he comes to me with the message of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of life eternal.

Dear Father, Come to us we pray. Come to share with us to comfort us to give us the hope of life eternal. Guard us with your tender hand and keep us safe in you. Be with those who are in need of your grace the most.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret