Food, faith, fun and friendship

Who doesn’t love a good party? Food, laughter, music, and good company are some of life’s simple joys.

Who do you celebrate with?

Jesus wasn’t afraid of a good party either. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, He is often criticized for the people He chooses to eat with.

Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners? Why spend time with outcasts, traitors, and the wrong kinds of people?

There are many ways to answer those questions, but one truth stands out: round the table, relationship happens. Around the table, everyone is equal.

In Jesus’ time, shared meals revealed which circles you ran in. Who got a seat at your table, and at whose table did you get a seat? Meals made clear who was “in” and who was “out.”

But Jesus modeled something completely different. With Him, everyone is welcome. He came for all people, and in doing so, He gave us an example to follow.

So what’s on the menu at your gatherings? Here is a simple suggestion:

Food. Faith. Fun. Friendship.

Four beautiful ingredients for meaningful connection:

Eat together. Prepare a good meal.
Share what gives your life meaning. Talk about your faith.
Celebrate life. Laugh and have fun together.
Build friendship. The table is the perfect place for connection.

Imagine what would happen if those who often feel left out were welcomed to your table, if they were invited to to be seen, to be heard, and to belong. What if church looked more like that?

Maybe that’s exactly what Jesus had in mind.

So follow Him. And plan your party.

Reflection Questions

• Who do you share your table with?
• Who could you invite, or where could you pull up a chair yourself?
• What is one concrete step you can take this week?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for giving us such a beautiful example of community. You walked with others, ate with them, and shared your life with them. Help me to follow Your example: to share, to connect, and to sit down with others. Show me a concrete step I can take this week. Amen.