Beyond the Weekend: Dinner with Jesus
In Dinner with Jesus, Pastors Jeff Manion and Aaron Buer help us see Jesus’ heart to those around him. The series look at Jesus’ ministry through his interactions during meals. We see we can use meals, like Jesus did, to minister to those around us. Meals welcome others into our lives and help others feel invited and included.
Week 1 Verses: Luke 5:27-32
Week 2 Verses: Luke 7:36-50
Week 3 Verses: Luke 14:1-24
Week 4 Verses: Mark 1:37-39
Week 5 Verses: Luke 9:10-17
Week 6 Verses: Luke 10:38-42
Week 7 Verses: Luke 11:37-44
Week 8 Verses: John 21:1-17
Meals and Mission
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:37-38
Read: Luke 7:36-39
Listen: Luke 7
TODAY'S MESSAGE
It’s possible she was the last to arrive. She certainly never would have been invited. The invited guests were reclining around the low table, ready for the meal to begin. How she got as far as she did, no one was sure. But she was there. No introductions were necessary—everyone knew who she was and what she had done. Everyone, apparently, except for Jesus. He didn’t seem bothered in the least. With great care, this woman cleaned Jesus’ feet and poured perfume on them. With the only sound being the sobs of the woman, she graciously provides the neglected hospitality.
This was weird even by the standards of that day. But Jesus doesn’t recoil or rebuke her. He allows her to do what she came to do. For Jesus, this meal at Simon’s house was more than an opportunity to eat. It was yet another opportunity to teach life-giving truth. As this unexpected, dramatic scene unfolds before them, Jesus uses this meal to teach, guide and care for those reclining around.
As we’ll repeatedly see in Jesus’ life, using a meal to build relationships and guide people into spiritual truth is an ongoing strategy. It’s a strategy he returned to again and again to “seek and to save the lost.” It should be the same for us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Answer the question, “Who am I sharing a meal with this week?” Maybe you meet up for lunch at a sandwich shop or have someone to your house for burgers and paper plates. But the point is to schedule a time to dine with someone. Don’t eat alone and don’t eat in front of the television or computer. Make a connection with someone today and schedule a meal.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
