“It Starts and Ends With Food”
Reclaimed Week One
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
November 11, 2018
Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30
20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table[c] with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”
By reading the rest of the narrative, we know that he was talking about Judas.
26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[d] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
The table is not just a place to eat. It is a place where discipleship and growth can take place, and Jesus emphasized this during his earthly ministry and training of the disciples.
Think of all the things in the ministry of Jesus which happened around food:
– The feeding of the thousands (biggest miracle)
– Fish breaking the nets (fish were food!)
– Turning water into wine (the wedding feast, first miracle)
– The temptation of Jesus (40 days and nights without food)
– The meal at Lazarus house (Mary and Martha)
– The calling of Matthew and conversion of Zaccheus
– The Emmaus walk
– The Last Supper
So many things occur at the center of the table: discipleship, outreach, prayer, healthy lives, place to be thankful. It’s important now, more than ever, to be committed to it.
Even the first sin happened because of food.
16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden. (Genesis 2:16)
The suggestion that using food to supplement the important things in our lives is not just merely a coincidence, it was established in the early days of God’s people – the Hebrews/Jews. Jews today still practice their religion around feasts and celebrations.
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT).
This week, and the remainder of this month, through the series, we are going to reclaim the table. In a fast-paced world, this is an essential to slowing down and working on this as a family, a church and a community together.
The challenge to reclaim your table.
- Eat three meals together this week at home (breakfast, lunch or dinner). Find time to make this a priority.
A good meal emphasizes four levels of family time together.
– Preparation (cook, set the table)
– Celebration (eat)
– Gratitude (thankfulness)
– Clean up (work ethic and character)
- Pray before and after every meal.
Most people will be inclined to pray before a meal. Have you ever thought to close the meal with prayer?
Example – Logan and Christina Douglas, a deacon and our kids director, use the meal time as a discipleship. They close their meal by talking about life, the Bible and scriptural topics.
Make a rule that everyone sits at the table together and no one leaves the table except when this has been accomplished.
Topic starters:
– Favorite story of the Bible?
– How did you see God at your job/school today?
– If you could have dinner with one Bible figure, who would it be?
– What Bible story would you make a movie about?
– Who would play your favorite Bible character in an action film?
– Try your own!
- Discuss a topic and set ground rules for table behavior.
– Focus on conversation with each other.
– No sleeping
– No electronic devices at the table or in the home
– Set a time frame (no rushing)
This entire month, reclaim your table and watch God do amazing things in the unity of your family.
