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One of the key features of Biblical rest is the ability to live in the perfect provision of God; however, our appreciation of His gifts often gets swamped under the busyness of modern life. For this reason it is helpful to punctuate our days and weeks with breathing spaces in order to rest, recalibrate and recharge.
Meal times give such an opportunity. The need to eat is a universal, basic requirement of mankind. Nations rise and fall and kingdoms are won and lost over the matter of food supply. However, for the believer, the satisfying of this fundamental need can also be a means by which grace flows. |
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One of the wonders of our relationship with God is that He delights to take ordinary things and breathe His life into them. He invites us into a sacramentality, a way of seeing life, a faith-journey, where He helps us see beyond the natural into the super-natural—and so the mundane is transformed.
Modern statistics show a serious decline in family mealtimes; many households not even owning a dining table. Meals are frequently eaten on the run, at a desk, in isolation, or in front of the television. Taking time to eat restfully is another way of stewarding His gift of peace. |
GOD IS OUR PROVIDER
Bread and wine were an integral part of every Hebrew meal. Together they represented a full and adequate supply of food and the good gifts of life, the richness of God’s material resources [Genesis 27: 28]. Thanksgiving was a normal Jewish response to food.
So when Jesus broke bread at the Last Supper, He took the common elements of a meal and their symbolism of God's plenty—in addition to their specific connection on that particular occasion to the Passover Deliverance—and forever connected them to the total provision which would be made on the Cross for all of our needs, physical, emotional and spiritual. |
For our ancestors, dependence on the ‘gods’ for food was a given. The difference between hunger and plenty lay in the quality of the harvests. Intercession was made throughout the farming year, and abundance brought forth thanksgiving and celebration. In the west we are so far removed from the provenance of our food, with our overflowing supermarket shelves, that we have to remind ourselves who has made such lavish provision.
The Lord could have designed us to be refuelled by a daily tablet containing all our nutritional requirements. Instead He chose to satisfy us with a huge variety of taste, texture and colour. In Genesis, the context for the Fall was food choice: would man choose to enjoy the abundant supply and celebrate his dependence on God the Provider, or would he choose independence and toil to provide for himself? For redeemed people, mealtimes are an opportunity to take the former position and worship the Lord for His provision of all that we need. 
As we give thanks for our food, let’s expect Him to come present... No meal ever needs to be eaten alone. www.rhythmsofgrace/spirit-led-breathing-spaces/rhythm-of-mealtimes Click to Tweet |
ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
When we eat, there is an invitation to celebrate not only the abundance of provision, but the Provider as well—an opportunity to worship which delights the Spirit. In addition, Psalm 22 teaches us that the Lord inhabits or sits on the praises of His people [Psalm 22:3, Strong's Lexicon], so our thanksgiving also brings the blessing of the Lord's presence to our table.
As we give thanks, let’s expect Him to come present. No meal ever needs to be eaten alone.
It is legitimate to expect, and look for God's presence to be manifested in a special way during meals. Scripture gives a number of examples, perhaps the most well-known being the story of the travellers on the road to Emmaus [Luke 24:13-35]. Jesus came alongside them on their journey and shared with them, without them realising who He was. It was in the context of a meal that their eyes were opened to see Him.
As we give thanks, let’s expect Him to come present. No meal ever needs to be eaten alone.
It is legitimate to expect, and look for God's presence to be manifested in a special way during meals. Scripture gives a number of examples, perhaps the most well-known being the story of the travellers on the road to Emmaus [Luke 24:13-35]. Jesus came alongside them on their journey and shared with them, without them realising who He was. It was in the context of a meal that their eyes were opened to see Him.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING TOGETHER
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Living a life of peace is also about living in right relationship with others. Sharing ‘bread’ we express community. Historically, eating with others has always implied at least a truce, and at best, complete unity; to eat with another involves a degree of identification.
It is significant that the first record of eating together in the Bible resulted in broken community. That division between man and God, and man and his neighbour was bridged by the Cross [Ephesians 2], and the way Jesus asked us to remember that fact was through a meal. Sharing meals was a substantial part of Jesus’ ministry. In His culture when someone ate with an 'unclean’ person they also became unclean. However, that position was totally reversed by Jesus; when He ate with people they were sanctified by His presence. His habits may have produced sneers from the religious sector, but communicated something of profound importance to His meal companions. Perhaps we too can pray over our meals, consecrating them to Him—not only for the presence of the Lord to be experienced by all, but for everyone who eats at ‘God’s table’ to be changed by His grace? |
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A TIME FOR BLESSING
In Acts 2 we read that the sharing of meals was an essential feature of the life of the early church—up there with attending to the Apostles’ teaching and prayer!
Our meals together as Christians are times for community, for intimacy, to see and be seen; a time to swap stories of His grace in our lives, to listen and learn, to share and laugh. And if we gather in His name, we are promised His presence [Matthew 18:20]. When we eat, we eat in the intimate Presence of God; we commune not just with each other but also with the Lord.
We can also invite non-believers into this context. Extending hospitality is a divine command, and the desire for community with God and man is written into every heart. Meals are a means by which not-yet Christians can experience something of the Lord’s presence and grace.
Our meals together as Christians are times for community, for intimacy, to see and be seen; a time to swap stories of His grace in our lives, to listen and learn, to share and laugh. And if we gather in His name, we are promised His presence [Matthew 18:20]. When we eat, we eat in the intimate Presence of God; we commune not just with each other but also with the Lord.
We can also invite non-believers into this context. Extending hospitality is a divine command, and the desire for community with God and man is written into every heart. Meals are a means by which not-yet Christians can experience something of the Lord’s presence and grace.
EATING WITH JESUS
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And if we expect His presence at our meals, we should also expect other things to flow. The Holy Spirit’s presence always releases His power and grace. Imagine rivers of healing and deliverance, reconciliation, mental and emotional restoration, emanating from your table…
It was in the context of a wedding feast that Jesus did His first miraculous sign [John 2]. It was over meals that the lives of 'prostitutes and sinners' were transformed [Matthew 9:9-13]. And it was while eating breakfast, that the disciples recognised Jesus, and in that context of intimacy that Peter was restored, and recommissioned [John 21]. |
In addition, the presence of Jesus, as we eat together, also brings revelation. If we listen to Him, He will give us things to say—anointed, life-changing words, so that our table conversations can have eternal impact.
And last but not least, we also act prophetically when we eat together in the presence of the Lord, for we look forward to the greatest feast of all, when He comes again in glory to claim His bride.
The way into these things is through expectation. If we see our mealtimes as opportunities to worship, as well as to rest and recharge physically; a chance to celebrate the Lord’s wonderful provision, and intentionally welcome Him to our table; we will see His grace poured out through the Holy Spirit on us and our table companions.
The way into these things is through expectation. If we see our mealtimes as opportunities to worship, as well as to rest and recharge physically; a chance to celebrate the Lord’s wonderful provision, and intentionally welcome Him to our table; we will see His grace poured out through the Holy Spirit on us and our table companions.
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE:
GIVE FREELY because you are blessed
Why not ask the Lord whom you can bless with a special meal? Then prepare with expectation…
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
Learn more about the role of community in our journey, by clicking on the picture below:
THE RHYTHM OF COMMUNITY
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SPIRIT-LED GATHERINGS: THE RHYTHM OF COMMUNITY |
They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts...
[Acts 2:46]
with glad and sincere hearts...
[Acts 2:46]
RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credits: Kate Hliznitsova (picnic); Rebecca (feast); James Colman (bread & wine); Pablo Merchanmontes (family meal);
Mohau Mannathoko (al fresco meal); David Tomaseti (candle) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
Mohau Mannathoko (al fresco meal); David Tomaseti (candle) @ Unsplash, with thanks]