Loving Well: Food: Various Text

Loving Well: Food

Various Texts

Food as a Love Language

• In both its preparation and its enjoyment, food can act as a means of expressing love
• It provides opportunities to utilize all the other love languages in various ways

 

God as the Lover

• God uses food as a means of providing love and connection
• From the beginning, food has not only been a means of sustenance (Gen. 2:16; see also Gen. 1:29; 9:3; Rev. 22:2)
• Food also is a symbol God’s provision and common grace (Ps. 104:14; see also 111:5; 136:25; 146:7; 147:9; Isa. 55:10-11)
• Food as symbolizes fellowship and favor (Rev. 3:20; Ps. 23:5)
• In the OT, the sacrificial system was built around food
  • Sacrifices were meant to be shared between the priest and the offeror
• Passover is centered on a meal
  • With the lamb later representing Christ

 

Our Love for God

• In the NT, the Lord’s Supper is a meal of connection with Christ’ sacrifice
  • To be repeated as a means of remembrance for us
  • As we celebrate it, we are expressing our love and gratitude for Jesus’ death on our behalf

 

Loving One Another

• Gifts of food show that we value the receiver more than the time, effort, and cost that it took us to make it
• Sharing meals together provides opportunities to connect
  • Fellowship
  • Hospitality
• The early church made meals together a priority (Act 2:42, 46)

 

Loving Our Community

• Sometimes food is about provision (Jas. 2:15-16)
• Providing food for others can be a mean of loving Jesus well (Matt. 25:34-40)

 

 

The Wedding Feast (Rev. 19:6-9)

• In his vision of the end of the age, John is shown a great feast to celebrate Jesus’ final victory
  • It is a wedding supper
    • With Christ as the Groom
    • And the Church as the Bride dressed in white
      • Representing our righteous deeds
        • How well we loved God & others

 

So What?

• How well are loving?
  • Are we reflecting God’s love in its various forms to Him, one another, and our community?
  • Are we looking for ways to connect, to care, and to cultivate Christ-like love?

 

Meditation Verse: Acts 2:46