“Progressive Revelation”

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Than their eyes were opened and they knew Him…And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread.”

Of all of the Gospel accounts of the first Easter Morning, my favorite scene takes place on a little dirt road between Jerusalem and Emmaus. Two discouraged disciples tramp towards their destination. The seven mile journey gave them ample time to dissect all of the events of the past week. The carpenter’s Son, who had rode into town on the back of a colt amidst the cheering, palm branch waving masses but a week before; the Man who had convinced so many He was the Messiah, had been brazenly betrayed and arrested, beaten and battered, convicted and crucified, just three short days ago. Further complicating the already confusing turn of events was the report that, this morning, His body was missing from the tomb in which he had been placed. Both men and women who were close followers of Him claimed that He was indeed alive, and that this was fulfillment of words He had spoken before his death.

As the two travelers analyzed the “what nows” and the “what ifs”, the very One whom they were discussing stepped into pace with them. So deep was their discussion that they did not sense his approach, nor did they recognize Him. As He inquired about their downcast demeanor they emphatically began to explain to Him His own story, while pouring out their broken hearts and forlorn hopes. In response, Jesus began to share the Old Testament prophecies that predicted the suffering, death and resurrection of the Messiah. So taken were they by this Stranger that they compelled Him to eat supper with them. Luke’s Gospel says, Now it came to pass as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they Him. (Luke 24:28-35)

While there are numerous insights and applications to glean from in this story, I would like to bring into sharp focus the significance of a seemingly insignificant event, a meal.
Meals have always played a powerful part in God revealing Himself to people. As the Jews observed the Feast of Passover, year after year they were prompted to remember the goodness and greatness of Yahweh’s salvation as the ate the Pascal Lamb. Little did they understand that every celebration looked toward, and cried out, like the last and greatest of the prophet’s, John the Baptist, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”

In ancient times, to share a meal with someone was believed to unite the two parties at the table in a deep, mystical union. A relationship was transformed from ordinary to extraordinary as the individuals reclined around a low lying table for an extended time of food and fellowship. This (along with the fact that certain people groups were considered unclean to the Jews) sheds some light upon the reaction of disgust and disdain the religious Jewish leaders had when they witnessed Jesus eating with known crooks and hookers. It also shows how desperately Jesus desired that the outcasts of society would become the in-crowd in the Kingdom of God.

Throughout the Gospels we find Jesus eating. Through meals He, God incarnate, identified and connected with people (in His earthly body even God’s gotta eat). By meals He taught people, who saw only earthly bread, spiritual truths, “I Am the Bread of Life”. It was at a meal that He identified His betrayer. That same meal He chose to use as a vivid reminder of His work on the cross and the salvation offered freely to all who would believe, until His return. Days later, the Master Chef served a meal of fish, prepared on a bed of coals, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, as He restored a humiliated and defeated Peter.

A meal. So simple. So necessary for life. Yet so powerful. Only Jesus could take the daily and make it so dynamic. From the beginning of history the way to man’s heart has been through his stomach. This is true of the opposite sex as well. Food bridges gender, cultural, racial, even religious barriers. No wonder the early church made sharing meals together a daily discipline to be delighted in.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers…and breaking bread from house to house they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart (Acts 2:42,46).

Since the early church was a vibrant, growing entity, we do well if pattern our church today after it. The best way for God to be glorified, and His Kingdom added to, is to follow the examples He gives us in scripture, keep things simple, and let Him build His church. From the inception of Parkland Chapel this has been our pursuit. As we have held to the model outlined for us in Acts 2 we have watched the Lord do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or think. Meals have factored heavily into our fellowship. Donuts before service and deer sausage after service create an atmosphere where people loiter (in the best sense of the word) rather than leave. We’ve had Christmas carry-ins and Good Friday finger foods. Several families host picnics every spring/summer and chili cook-offs accentuate autumn. But the most remarkable calorie centered event we have had is a Progressive Dinner. Last month we had our second such time of grazing from house to house, eating through the pain, pressing on towards that upward calling where someone inevitably proclaims, “I ate so much I think I’m gonna be sick!”

For the second time in two years, a passel of people packed into various homes, with no set agenda but to gorge themselves, and yet, I witnessed something, that can only be described as spiritually remarkable happen. People who were not connected got connected. Shy ones became story tellers. Dour faces broke into grins. People from all walks of life, who hurry past one another in the foyer on Sunday morning, found unlikely friendships beginning to bud. For two weeks people beamed about the great time they had that evening. At a meal, people began to see the love of Jesus personally, and truly become a member of the Body, of whom Christ is the Head.

Amazing. Jesus taking the simple and making it sensational. In an age where the trend seems to be worship bands that reflect KISS more than Christ, pastors that resemble motivation speakers more closely than men moved by the Holy Spirit, and churches are now instead referred to as campuses, it is refreshing to know that Jesus still is indeed known to people through a simple meal. Contrary to popular belief, I guess the words in the “Good Book” are relevant today after all. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but upon every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Now that’s a true comfort food!

May you learn to simply enjoy our Savior simply.

God Bless,

Pastor Mike