Advent ABC's: Eat

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

When I was growing up, dinner was always at 6:00PM. We were expected to be there. We were expected to eat everything on our plates. I never expected to enjoy it. My mother would cook, but never ate with us. My father sat at the head of the table and after a quick reciting of GodisgreatGodisgood;letusthankhimforourfoodAmen, he would just as quickly announce: Sit up, shut up, and eat. Little was said and that was always for the better.

During high school, I loved the times when a bunch of us would go out to eat. I loved when we would go out to places like Farrells or Elby’s. It was a treat to just sit at McDonalds and have a cocoa and apple pie. College expanded the meal time experience. The cafeteria was small then and we would go in to eat late and just sit there and drink coffee and talk and laugh long after the kitchen closed.

While I was in college I also traveled with music and ministry groups. I was utterly amazed at how people opened there homes to us and oh how they fed us. So it’s not hard to see why this invitation to eat with Jesus drew me into such a special place with him.

It must have meant a lot to those who Jesus ate with while he was here on earth ministering, too. Think about Zacchaeus. He had to climb into a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus picked him out and invited himself to Zach’s house for dinner. It was life changing for Zach. Simon the Pharisee could have quite the same experience, but he didn’t seem to be open to really sharing that meal as Jesus’ friend. Makes me sad for what he missed.

As we move further into this Advent season and prepare to receive the real Gift of Christmas this verse presses two points on my heart and mind. First, will we be able to hear or sense Jesus knocking at our door, or will we be too busy or not even at home? We wouldn’t want to miss sharing a meal with this Friend. And will we be open to sharing table with others? On Thanksgiving morning last week I was chatting with a friend online. Casually I asked what her plans were, not even imagining that she wouldn’t have any. The thought of her spending the day alone was more than I could stomach. After a little cajoling she joined us for dinner. It was pure delight to have her with us. But it made me realize that there were probably others eating alone. I won’t ever assume again that they have plans—I will ask. Won’t you?

Not every meal can be like eating at Farrells, but there’s joy to be had in the sharing of little when it’s shared with friends.