Sermon Reflections from Eat Together | STEPHANIE SOLTERO | January 19, 2025
It was a pleasure to have Stephanie sharing the Word with us this week. Pastor Alex has been going through the acronym BLESS as this year begins. Stephanie reviewed the first 2 letters, B- begin with prayer and L-listen with care, before sharing E- eat together. I was fascinated by her use of the App for Bless that shows areas around where you live and encourages us to pray for our neighbors and listen to their needs.
As I have reflected on Eat Together, I was surprised how many biblical stories revolve around eating. Sharing your home and food was a common practice in ancient times and proven way to meet and get to know people. Abraham entertained the men, angels, who came to tell him that he and Sarah would have a child. Abraham’s servant traveled to Harran to find a bride for Isaac and ate and fellowshipped with his relatives as God had directed his path. Their agreement was negotiated during the meal. (Genesis 24) Just before leaving Egypt, the children of Israel celebrated the Passover meal which Jesus celebrated years later with his disciples. Jesus often ate with his disciples and taught them as well as crowds like the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14) and the 4,000 (Mark 8). Acts is filled with references to the believers eating and fellowshipping together.
Why is the gathering around food such an easy place to get to know others?
Sharing food is the same for everyone as we all eat. It is a time of relaxation and gives way to discussion of common events in our lives. Jesus used this time in the upper room to teach, pray and show his genuine love for his disciples. (John 14-17) The fact that someone is providing the food and serving opens our hearts and thoughts. Jesus wanted to take advantage of this type of atmosphere when he told Zacchaeus that he would dine at his house that day.
Luke 19:1-10 recounts the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector who was very wealthy and despised by his fellow Israelites. The tax collectors were seen as traitors as they collected monies and gave them to the Romans who were in power. They also took a share of the money for themselves and the people resented this a great deal. Zacchaeus was short is stature and wanted to see Jesus as he passed by. Jesus was known as a healer and man of God, and it would have been a big deal for him to be in their city. Zacchaeus decided to climb a tree along the route so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus. How far would you go to see Jesus? Knowing the crowds didn’t like you would you have risked going out in the crowd and climbing a tree? Zacchaeus did not know it but he had an appointment with God that day. “ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” Jesus knew that around that table in Zacchaeus’ home there would be life-changing discussions.
The crowd was disgruntled that Jesus would associate with sinners like Zacchaeus. “And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” They did not realize that they were sinners just like Zacchaeus. God is impartial and sees all of us in living color. Romans 3:23-24 “For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Zacchaeus experienced a heart change that day around his dinner table that was acknowledged by Jesus. “ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus knows our heart and leads us to confront our sin just like he did Zacchaeus that day. Are you willing to sit with Jesus and commune with Him? If so, Pray to Jesus and He will come in and be with you as promised in Revelation 3:20 “ 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.”
Biblically we see that being open to sharing our hearts and meals with others creates opportunities to share about Jesus. Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” We do not know who God has for us to meet and share our love for Jesus with, so we need to be open and willing to step out in faith when those opportunities come our way!
Linda
Luke 19:1-10 recounts the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector who was very wealthy and despised by his fellow Israelites. The tax collectors were seen as traitors as they collected monies and gave them to the Romans who were in power. They also took a share of the money for themselves and the people resented this a great deal. Zacchaeus was short is stature and wanted to see Jesus as he passed by. Jesus was known as a healer and man of God, and it would have been a big deal for him to be in their city. Zacchaeus decided to climb a tree along the route so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus. How far would you go to see Jesus? Knowing the crowds didn’t like you would you have risked going out in the crowd and climbing a tree? Zacchaeus did not know it but he had an appointment with God that day. “ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” Jesus knew that around that table in Zacchaeus’ home there would be life-changing discussions.
The crowd was disgruntled that Jesus would associate with sinners like Zacchaeus. “And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” They did not realize that they were sinners just like Zacchaeus. God is impartial and sees all of us in living color. Romans 3:23-24 “For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Zacchaeus experienced a heart change that day around his dinner table that was acknowledged by Jesus. “ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus knows our heart and leads us to confront our sin just like he did Zacchaeus that day. Are you willing to sit with Jesus and commune with Him? If so, Pray to Jesus and He will come in and be with you as promised in Revelation 3:20 “ 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.”
Biblically we see that being open to sharing our hearts and meals with others creates opportunities to share about Jesus. Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” We do not know who God has for us to meet and share our love for Jesus with, so we need to be open and willing to step out in faith when those opportunities come our way!
Linda
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