  THE TABLE LAID READY FOR A FAMILY CELEBRATION. This setting is created with loving care to give the utmost joy to those invited to the meal. There is nothing like a meal together to cement relationships, to break down barriers; to share with those less fortunate. A meal together is a sign of acceptance, no matter the colour or creed. Basic Table Setting:
Jesus replied, ‘The truth of the matter is that you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you believe in me. But you shouldn’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. No, spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Messiah, can give you. For God, the Father has sent me for this very purpose. ‘John 6: 26. LB. Another time: ‘So Levi left everything, sprang up and went with him (Jesus). Soon Levi held a reception in his home with Jesus as the guest of honour. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests were there. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained bitterly to Jesus’disciples about his (Jesus) eating with notorious sinners.’ Luke 5: 29-30, LB. *** We are encouraged to eat five veggies daily and two fruits every day. It’s a general rule for a healthy diet. While we need to eat healthily and take care of what we eat, we need to be alert as to what comes out of our mouth ‘Jesus asked, “Can’t you see that what you eat won’t harm your soul? For food doesn’t come in contact with your heart, but only passes through the digestive system. (By saying this he showed that every kind of food is kosher). Then he added, “It is the thought-life that pollutes. For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery, wanting what belongs to others. All these vile things come from within; they make you unfit for God.” Mark 8: 18 – 23. LB *** The leaders of the day challenged Jesus, saying, ‘God fed the Children of Israel in the desert every day with bread from heaven.’ They called it ‘manna’. Jesus replied to the challenge, ‘My Father offers you the true Bread from heaven. The true Bread is a Person – the one sent by God from heaven.’ The leaders came back at Jesus, ‘Sir, give us that Bread every day of our lives!’Jesus had the measure of these leaders. He knew they didn’t believe he was God’s son and had come from heaven. If they couldn’t believe in him while he was living among them, would they accept him if he gave then heavenly Bread every day? So, Jesus replied to them, ‘I am the Bread of life. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. Those believing in me will never thirst.’ John 6: 32 – 35. LB. Jesus is the soul food we must have to live abundantly and eternally here and now. *** We can see the dish of baked potatoes and carrots. They look yum. The potato content is fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 content. The risk of heart lessens with low cholesterol content in potatoes. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God’ Matthew 4: 4 Jesus understood that man needs food for the soul, and only God can truly provide that sort of food by his presence in the heart. We become film experts, great readers, hobbyists, alcoholics, druggies, sex predators seeking satisfaction, but always we are empty and driven to look for more so slake that thirst. God’s word. ‘The deepest need of humans is not food, clothing, and shelter, important as they are. It is God.’ C.S.Lewis *** Such an attractive platter is suitable for any morning snack at a social gathering. Sandwiches of whole-meal bread and pita bread rolls. So healthful. The energy level rises. Jesus said, ‘Yes, I am the Bread of Life! When your fathers in the wilderness ate Bread from the skies, they all died. But the Bread from heaven gives eternal life to everyone who eats it. I am that Living Bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone eating this Bread shall live forever; this Bread is my flesh given to redeem humanity.’ John 6: 51 Living Bible. Jesus still satisfies those who have faith in Christ. Jesus said, ‘I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?’ John 11: 25 LB *** The mynah bird is an opportunist. It has learnt that humans mean food. We humans are one-way God provides for this bird. Keeps it well fed even in the wild. The mynah is looking to see if there is anything better? Looking to see if there is another way to attack the bread roll.? We are always seeking another way to God; to eternal life; to a relationship of intimacy. There is only one way. ‘To tell others with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved. For it is by believing in the heart that a person becomes right with God; and with the mouth, he tells others of his faith, confirming salvation. For the scriptures tell us that no one who believes in Christ will never be disappointed.’ Romans 10: 9 – 10 LB.
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