Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Share A Meal

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Revelations 3:20



This is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible for most Christians for obvious reasons.

Nearly every soul-winning presentation includes this verse. Again, for obvious reasons!

If you grew up in church and Sunday School you are well familiar with this classic portrait:


Isn't that a powerful image?

Aren't you thankful for a Savior who seeks you?

Aren't you glad Jesus is a patient seeker rather than a brutish bully?

A close inspection of the portrait will reveal that there is not a door handle on the outside of that door. You control the entrance through that door. Unless you open it He will remain on the outside.

There is much to be said in regard to this gracious invitation from a Gentle Savior, but for this devotional I want to focus on His promise to those who open the door:

"I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

What a powerful statement of the intimate act of eating together!

Jesus could have promised, "I will come in and worship with you!" 

It would be wonderful to worship with Jesus but He didn't promise that.

He could have promised, "I will come in and preach to you!"

I would love to hear Jesus preach but that isn't what He offered.

Jesus could have enticed us with, "I will come in and study the Word with you!"

Imagine how great it would be to study the Word with The Word! But he didn't offer that.

Jesus longs to share a meal with you!

Think about that! Jesus considers sitting down to a quiet meal next to you as the best possible pathway to a personal intimate friendship with you!

This is why I say, "What an insightful statement about the potential of sharing a meal!"

Think about what He has scheduled as our first great event in Heaven - A MEAL - A FEAST known as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

Think about the last intimate moment of His earthly ministry which happened around A MEAL!

If sharing a meal with a friend can be a pathway to intimacy why don't we make that a priority in our daily and weekly schedule. 

Why not begin with your spouse and children?

Why not capitalize on the discipleship possibilities of eating together?

Why not leverage regular mealtimes with non-believers as witnessing opportunity?

You will eat three times today and 21 times this week. Would you intentionally schedule ministry into your meal time? 

Will you plan three meals targeted at evangelism or discipleship?