Reaching Hearts Through Stomachs

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:33-35

There is an old saying that goes, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

I'd like to think us men are a little more complicated than that, but maybe not. We do love to eat and a well prepared meal has our full attention!

If you know that's true and I know it's true we can be sure Jesus knew it was true and He used sharing meals with men as a powerful primary evangelism tool!

It may amaze you as you thumb through the Gospels how often Jesus ate with others. More often than not His dining companions were publicans, tax collectors and as many others sinners He could gather.

Sure He began His ministry with 40 days of fasting but after that He was heavy into feasting! His first miracle was at a wedding feast in Cana. His last gathering with His disciples was a Passover feast in an Upper Room. 

Following His resurrection Jesus restored Peter from a fisherman back to a follower with an impromptu fish breakfast on the shore of Galilee.

I'm looking forward to the first official event in the New Heaven when all God's people sit down to the Feast of the Ages referred to as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

Maybe the old saying IS right! Maybe the way to a man's heart IS through his stomach! And if that is true maybe you and I should develop an intentional habit of having meals with those we want to reach for Jesus!