Does it matter who I eat with?

 The other day, a group of us were talking about what a meal with Jesus would be like. We were asked two things

1. What would you ask Jesus?
2. Name two other people you would like to have at the meal.

The answer to the second question tells us a lot about ourselves. I went with Alexander the Great and Judas. Alexander because he makes an interesting juxtaposition with Jesus, another renowned historical leader who died young. Judas, to see if he would make it all the way through dinner this time.  Most of us answered in terms of who we would find interesting.  One person however made different choices, they described two people, one famous, one known to them personally who they thought would really appreciate and benefit from a meal with Jesus.  I think they had a better grasp on what Christian faith should be like.

It was fascinating to be thinking about meals with Jesus because in Galatians 2, we seem to be looking more at meals with other people. What would a meal with Peter be like? What would a meal with Paul be like? Who would be there? Would you and I even be invited. Yet, I get the sense that Paul sees hospitality and meals in the same terms as that question we started with.  Paul seems himself as invited to a meal with Jesus.  Who else then should be invited along with him.

Paul perhaps remembers that Jesus was often accused of being a friend of sinners and choosing to eat with them. So, it is perhaps not surprising that he describes the Gentiles as “sinners”.  These are exactly the kind of people Jesus ate with. Indeed, if Paul was invited to sit and eat with Jesus, then perhaps that meant that Jesus saw him too as a sinner. When it comes to a relationship with Jesus, being a sinner is a good thing!   

In effect, the message of Galatians 2 is first that we should know the terms on which we get to eat with Jesus. Second, that we shouldn’t rule others in and out on different terms to how Jesus ruled us in and we should not exclude from dinner with us, anyone that Jesus would not exclude.

This had very literal implications for the Galatian believers. Table fellowship mattered, literally. I suspect that this was at least in part because when you sat down to eat with other believers, you broke bread with them to remember Jesus’ death.  However, it has literal implications for us too.  Here they are:

1. Do I think of every meal that I have with guests as also a meal with Jesus? Is this an opportunity to share the Gospel, disciple and pastorally care for others or is it just a social occasion.
2. I should invite guests on the basis of who would be welcome at a meal with Jesus.

For early believers, especially Jewish one, a meal was an act of fellowship and unity. It was an act of love and welcome.  So, when I show hospitality, I should be thinking in those terms. Hospitality is about unity, fellowship and love.  I should share fellowship, unity and love with those that Christ does. 

This leads to the more general point.  How do I treat my fellow believers in Jesus. If I fail to love them and share fellowship with them, if I am unwelcoming, then I am putting up barriers to people that Jesus does not put up.

Does it matter who I eat with?

 The other day, a group of us were talking about what a meal with Jesus would be like. We were asked two things

1. What would you ask Jesus?
2. Name two other people you would like to have at the meal.

The answer to the second question tells us a lot about ourselves. I went with Alexander the Great and Judas. Alexander because he makes an interesting juxtaposition with Jesus, another renowned historical leader who died young. Judas, to see if he would make it all the way through dinner this time.  Most of us answered in terms of who we would find interesting.  One person however made different choices, they described two people, one famous, one known to them personally who they thought would really appreciate and benefit from a meal with Jesus.  I think they had a better grasp on what Christian faith should be like.

It was fascinating to be thinking about meals with Jesus because in Galatians 2, we seem to be looking more at meals with other people. What would a meal with Peter be like? What would a meal with Paul be like? Who would be there? Would you and I even be invited. Yet, I get the sense that Paul sees hospitality and meals in the same terms as that question we started with.  Paul seems himself as invited to a meal with Jesus.  Who else then should be invited along with him.

Paul perhaps remembers that Jesus was often accused of being a friend of sinners and choosing to eat with them. So, it is perhaps not surprising that he describes the Gentiles as “sinners”.  These are exactly the kind of people Jesus ate with. Indeed, if Paul was invited to sit and eat with Jesus, then perhaps that meant that Jesus saw him too as a sinner. When it comes to a relationship with Jesus, being a sinner is a good thing!   

In effect, the message of Galatians 2 is first that we should know the terms on which we get to eat with Jesus. Second, that we shouldn’t rule others in and out on different terms to how Jesus ruled us in and we should not exclude from dinner with us, anyone that Jesus would not exclude.

This had very literal implications for the Galatian believers. Table fellowship mattered, literally. I suspect that this was at least in part because when you sat down to eat with other believers, you broke bread with them to remember Jesus’ death.  However, it has literal implications for us too.  Here they are:

1. Do I think of every meal that I have with guests as also a meal with Jesus? Is this an opportunity to share the Gospel, disciple and pastorally care for others or is it just a social occasion.
2. I should invite guests on the basis of who would be welcome at a meal with Jesus.

For early believers, especially Jewish one, a meal was an act of fellowship and unity. It was an act of love and welcome.  So, when I show hospitality, I should be thinking in those terms. Hospitality is about unity, fellowship and love.  I should share fellowship, unity and love with those that Christ does. 

This leads to the more general point.  How do I treat my fellow believers in Jesus. If I fail to love them and share fellowship with them, if I am unwelcoming, then I am putting up barriers to people that Jesus does not put up.