Dinner's Ready

You prepare a table before me.

Psalm 23.5

They feast on the abundance of your house.

Psalm 36:8

One of my current projects is building a chronological study of the gospels. I spend hours each morning diving deep into story after story of Jesus as he taught and lived. Today I looked at the parable he told about a man who planned a great feast and invited many to it (Lk 14.16-24). When the time came to eat, however, his guests made excuses one and all. So instead he went after the “poor an maimed and lame and blind,” and the strays from the highways and hedges. He wanted a full house and he made sure he got it.

I couldn’t help but think of David, whose shepherd “prepared a table” for him.

Eating is about fellowship and family as much as nutrition and health. The law of sacrifices instituted by God through Moses required them to eat the portion not offered to God. The highest holiday in Judaism, in

fact, is a commemorative meal. Jesus talked a lot about what we eat, the bread of life, the real bread from heaven. He multiplied bread for thousands at a time. He attended feasts, and was even accused of gluttony! He promised to bring his Father to dine with those who open the door when he knocks. God who created our physical being is well aware that food is more than fuel.

Still, I’m struck by the idea that a feast may be prepared, yet some refuse to come. There’s usually a “good excuse,” but honestly, it takes a more generous heart than mine to overlook prioritizing a piece of land or a pet or a new life situation over the honor of being invited into someone’s celebration. Talk about mismatched values between life in the kingdom and life in this world.

Every week we have a group of 10-20 people over for dinner and Bible study. We’ve been doing it for years, and no doubt the fellowship of eating together before prayer and study has been essential in creating the strong community we’ve become.

It’s hard to come up with interesting and healthful menus, but I try. On top of that, it’s not as though they all eat the same. This crowd can be what my mom called “picky eaters.”

But every Tuesday afternoon you’ll find me cooking in my kitchen. I set aside special portions as I think of each one who will be there in a little while.

Dinner on the table by 6.

The food is ready, the table is set, the guests arrive.

We say a blessing and dinner is served.

Dig in, everybody.

I watch as the meal proceeds.

The lactose-intolerant one eats the cheese-less pizza I prepped. The one who doesn’t eat carbs takes only chicken and vegetables.

The gluten-free eater makes sure to take from the right basket of rolls.

One young man doesn’t eat veggies. At all. “No thanks. Pass the meat, please.”

Another grabs the salt and shakes it on everything on his plate.

Dieters are tough. One guy didn’t even come because he’s on a diet. Another stares hungrily at the food as it goes by. Another, “Oh I ate at home.” Have you heard of the “I can’t eat if it’s not butter” diet?

But look at them around the table. Here’s one who fills her plate again and again, an embarrassed but grateful smile on her lips. “I know. I eat so much here, but I feel like I can because I feel safe.” Riddled with anxiety and on her own, I don’t think she eats much at home.

Another moans his delight in the roast pork. “How did you make it so moist?! Most pork is usually dry.”

This one drools when he hears meatloaf. “That’s my all-time favorite food!” Which starts a barrage of meatloaf stories.

As I listen to this family of believers, my heart knows the Father’s love. He too prepares a table before us. He provides an abundance from his household and he invites us to sup with him. He doesn’t stop feeding us because we’re picky or have special dietary needs. He doesn’t fault us when we refuse something good for us.

But I wonder.

How much do we let our issues interfere with our fellowship with believers? When we gather at the Lord’s “table,” be it Sunday morning service or mid-week Bible study or monthly care group, do we sound like “I want this” or “I don’t eat that”? (I’m not talking about food here. You know what I mean, right?)

Do we recognize our Father’s generosity and goodness, or do we focus on our “needs”?

Do we maybe miss something vital—something about how much he loves us, or how much we enjoy being together—because we’re looking to our gratification instead of the heart that prepared it or the home where we share it?

No matter, we are all welcome anyway.

Just as I continue to cook and cater to those who still don’t get it, I know the Lord will take us where he finds us and feed us the richest of fare. Family meals are important, even though kids seldom realize it at the time.

Tonight’s menu: Chicken Pot Pie. Yeah, two new people are coming. Heads up, though. They’re strictly vegan.