As we all know we live in a fast paced society. Everything must be done fast which probably is the reason so many of us lack patience. It seems that we are in a big hurry to get nowhere. And one of the fastest segments of our society is food. Fast food wasn’t fast enough so they put in drive-thrus. Now you don’t have to waste time getting out and going into the restaurant. Now you can wait in an automobile line instead! The point of all this is to say that our eating habits and customs are completely different of that described in Biblical times. 

In those days eating required time and effort. To eat with someone was to be at peace with him. Isaac prepared a feast for Abimelech, his friend, and the commander of his army illustrating that there would be good relations between them. (Gen 26:26-31) 

In the New Testament Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well and asked her for a drink. This was quite unusual and she recognized this when she responded, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” (John 4:9) This would have suggested a friendly relationship existed between the two groups of people and it clearly did not. 

But it was most significant that Jesus after His resurrection prepared a meal for His disciples. He took bread and gave it to them and likewise the fish. (John 21:13) And according to Luke He ate in their presence. (Luke 24:43) In our culture it seems we miss the significance of this. When Jesus was taken into custody by the religious leaders, “then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Matt 26:57) This was not too long after Peter and all of them said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” (Matt 26:35) So the meal certainly was an indication to them that they had been fully restored to fellowship with Him. Can you imagine how they would have felt?

What about you? Is there something you think that you have done that has disqualified your relationship with Him? The disciples fled in fear and Peter denied Him three different times. And yet they were restored to that fellowship. Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20) He’s knocking and all you have to do is open the door of your heart to Him. It will require repentance and correction on your part, but He is waiting to sit down at the table to dine with you in friendship and fellowship. (Rev 3:19)