Carina Francke

In our day and age, having a meal together has become more than just getting together around a plate of food. It is an experience, a journey that starts at the place where you eat, which is measured by what you eat, the quality, the effects of each dish on the taste buds and ending with the subtle angled wipe of your mouth. The lasting, deeper benefit from such an experience is enjoying and sharing it with other food lovers.

Meals in Biblical times support the utility of relationships around food. Meals were a symbol of trust, brotherhood and sharing a part of people's lives with one another. However, there are always the exceptions. Like Jacob who prepared a stew of lentils for his brother Esau in exchange for his birthright (Genesis 25:33-34). It did not stop there, he also mislead his father Isaac: disguised as Esau, he prepared his father's favourite dish for him, and received the blessing meant for his older brother. Converted into modern idiom: very often Jacobs invite the Esau's to their meals for personal, selfish gain.

Dishonesty! Especially when measured to Jesus' unselfish motives. He loved engaging with people around food - not only with important and well-known people, but also with His friends, outcasts (the marginal people) and crowds.

During these occasions he advocated a new way of living: Without hesitation, he addresses certain social issues; he teaches God's kingdom and forgive people their sins. His heart was for people and an acceptable way to get close to their hearts, was by means of eating together. No wonder then that he invited himself to Zacchaeus' house for a meal: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus' life changed irrevocably. A woman who pitched up at a dinner, washed his feet with her tears, dried and anoint his feet, is sent away with hope: "Your faith has saved you, Go in peace" (Luke 7:50).

In the Church of Acts, believers ate together - poor and rich shared their food and faith - they had koinonia. It was a practical expression of their newly found faith and affection towards each other. I can't help but wonder: Is this not perhaps the way we should go about to steer our modern individualistic society into a community that cares for each other? Maybe Paul had this in mind when he wrote, "distributing to the need of the saints, given to hospitality" (Romans 12:13)and Peter: "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9).

Prayer: Father, if I could have your heart for people and borrow your eyes of compassion to see through their hurt and pretension, then I will lay my table and load it with the best I have. Maybe then, people will be able to experience unconditional acceptance and belonging. Please enable me to do just that!  Amen.