salt-shaker.blog

Reading the book of Acts one cannot help but notice the companionship, connection and celebration people enjoyed in their brand new lives with Jesus as King. What a tight bond these early believers developed as they swam upstream, despite the fact that their association would have been improbable (at best) before Jesus. They “went from house to house breaking bread”. Peter, miraculously released from jail, knew which house was the center for prayer. They learned that they were a family, a body, a building – members of one another. Homes were centers of fellowship – in fact some were called the ‘the church at ________ house’. Think of how many stories were told around the table about the miracles, the conversions, the dangers, the apostles’ visits, the joy of serving a living God. How many questions were asked and answered as they ate together, sharing their lives as well as their food. And they did it “steadfastly”. Because of constraints on places to meet, persecution, and their newly acquired ‘otherness’, there was a natural connection that, over time, has diminished in the Christian community. Sadly the once radical religion eventually became normalized, acculturated and formalized at the expense of organic community.

Passover was the Jewish remembrance of escape from the deadly plague God inflicted on the Egyptians on their behalf. How beautiful that this was the feast Jesus tooled as a fitting remembrance of His own sacrificial love for us! And there was a meal – our symbol of remembrance. That was no accident! Jesus was always eating and drinking with people, notably the sinners. He even provided food miraculously on occasion. Hospitality is also a requirement for an elder in the church, perhaps because it illustrates and imitates God’s heart to outsiders, which means all of us. Part of our destiny will actually be “reclining at table” (that’s how they did it back then) in the kingdom. So I guess it is safe to conclude this is a Biblical activity.

So why is it a bit awkward, a little scary in fact, to actually invite someone over – even a fellow believer? We feel like we have to have a maid service come in, or maybe even a caterer to make sure we measure up. What if conversation gets tricky, even uncomfortable? What we forget is that our guest probably feels just as insecure, and that the joy of connection is worth the effort. After all, these are people we will be spending eternity with – or perhaps be persecuted with. We go to the throne together each Sunday to worship . A few pray together. Eating together should be fun!

So do the hardest part – pick up the phone and text, email , or actually call that person/family God puts on your heart. And keep in mind, the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at your disposal to assist! Paper plates or china, dinner or dessert, one person or a family, whatever you can do- GO FOR IT!!