Luke 22:8-12 JESUS sent Peter and John ahead to find a place to prepare their Passover meal. “Where do you want us to go?” they asked. And HE replied As soon as you enter Jerusalem, you will see a man walking along carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he enters, and say to the man who lives there, ‘Our TEACHER says for your to show us the guest room where HE can eat the Passover meal with HIS disciples.’ He will take you upstairs to a large room all ready for us. That is the place. Go ahead and prepare the meal there.” [Living Bible Translation]
Summary
The Passover meal (called the Seder) in Biblical times and for Jews today, is a teaching meal. Each food item is a history lesson and a reminder of how GOD rescued HIS people from slavery and from death. Each food item tells a part of the Exodus story. The slaughtered lamb prepared for the meal was to remind the Jewish people of the lamb’s blood that marked the doorposts and which saved the people when the angle of death passed over Egypt slaying the first born in each unmarked home. The bitter herbs eaten during the meal were a reminder of the bitter years of slavery the people suffered in Egypt. The unleavened, flat (Matzo) bread was a reminder of the haste the people were in when they departed Egypt. The parsley dipped in salt water was to remind the people of the tears they shed in slavery. These food/Biblical lessons were taught year after year, throughout the life of every Jewish man, woman and child.
JESUS, the MASTER TEACHER, used the Passover meal to also teach. JESUS taught lessons on love and service, when HE wrapped a towel around HIMSELF and began to wash the disciples feet and wipe them with a towel. (John 13:1-15). When Peter told JESUS “You shall never wash my feet (John 13:8), JESUS gave Peter a verbal lesson on obedience, explaining that unless Peter obey (even if he did not want to do so), Peter could never partner with HIM. JESUS taught a lesson of spiritual redemption and remembrance when HE took the bread and took the cup and gave these food items a new meaning. The bread represented HIS body and the wine, HIS blood, and would be used to teach and remind every follower of CHRIST of how HE sacrificed HIS life and became the “LAMB of GOD,” in order to save all mankind from the slavery of sin and death. JESUS reinforced the lesson on service, when HE explained to the arguing disciples, that those who wanted to be great or the leader must serve. JESUS demonstrated the lesson of love, service and obedience when, after prayer, HE obey HIS FATHER and willingly and lovely gave up HIS life for us on the cross.
It was a thoughtful meal, a spiritual meal, a loving meal---a meal full with instruction.
Holiday Meals Remembered
Many of us have fond memories of growing up in households where holiday meals (Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving) had meaning. Food was thoughtfully and lovingly prepared. The best china, the special table linen and the finest silverware were brought out and arranged. Families said a prayer around the food, thanking GOD for the food, the preparer and for the love and unity of family and friends. Family members who had passed on were fondly remembered. There was joy, laughter, fellowship and gratitude. The lesson of sharing was taught at these meals. Friends, who had no nearby family were invited to dinner or encouraged to stop by to eat and fellowship. Guests were extended “extra hospitality” and made to feel “like family.” Those holiday meals were full of instruction on love, kindness, service and emphasized the importance of sharing. .
Fast Food Meals
In 2010, Denise Mann, noted that despite pledges to the contrary, many of the nation’s fast food chains were still offering unhealthy meals and food choices to children. See, “Fast Food Kids Meals Still Unhealthy,” by Denise Mann, reviewed by Dr. Laura J. Martin, www.webmd.com. In a study of 21 fast food chain, Mann notes that:
Of the 3,000-plus kids meals, just 12 met the nutritional criteria for preschoolers, and just 15 met the nutrition criteria set for older children, the study showed. In fact, one single meal from most fast food restaurants contains at least half of young people's daily recommended sodium.
If you were to ask children (or an adult) what mealtime lessons they learned from eating a fast food meal, what would they say? What would they say about service? What would they say about the meal preparation? What would they say about health?
In the March 22-24, 2013 “Health Smart” section, USA Weekend, reported on a large international study finding that children and teens who had three or more fast-food meals a week were associated with increased risk of severe seasonal allergies (as well as asthma and eczema). See, “Is hay fever linked to fast food?” www.usaweekend.com.
WebMd notes that in the 20-30 minutes it takes to grab a fast food meal, pick up some take-out or wait for a pizza delivery, you can put together a healthier, more nutritious meal on your own kitchen table---and one that sends a message that mealtime is important family time. According to www.webmd.com, everyone can contribute:
- Younger children can wipe and set the table, rinse and tear salad greens
- School-aged kids can gather ingredients, measure ingredients, wash fruits and veggies, toss salads, and grate cheese.
- Tweens can slice and chop, stir pots and sauté foods, read and follow recipes.
- Teens can do it all: plan, shop, and prepare meals and help younger kids with tasks.
And, in addition:
- The whole family can gather in prayer.
Mealtime instruction can occur at every family meal.
YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY MEAL
This Sunday is Resurrection Sunday! What mealtime instruction will occur at your table or for you, your family or friend? Will it be a spiritual meal? Will it be a healthy meal? Will you share it with others? What instructions and lessons will you carry over from the meal that JESUS shared with HIS disciples and shares with us every communion Sunday?
Let us pray that we allow the MASTER TEACHER to continue to teach us and guide us!
Let us pray that we learn, obey and BE BLESSED!
