B.L.E.S.S.
E-Eat
1. Jesus himself ate with Sinners
Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
2. Jesus ate with people so much they accused him of being a glutton
Luke 7:34-35 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
3. Jesus often Gave people Meals
1.Feeding of the 5,000
2.Feeding of the 4,000
3. In the Upper Room
“Somethings are just better together like peanut butter and jelly. This is also true of the two practices of listening and eating. Why do these two make such a powerful one two punch? First, because neighbors seldom share meals together. In our individualistic society hospitality is seen as an extravagant gesture of goodwill. Second, when the focus of the meal is centered on good conversation to get to know your neighbor, it comes across as a tremendously, generous act. Much of Jesus ministry involved conversation around a table. In the book of Luke alone, there are 10 stories of Jesus dining and talking with various people. Active, listening, coupled with a good meal can catapult a casual acquaintance into a growing friendship.”
( - B.L.E.S.S. 5 ways to love your neighbor and change the world by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson)
Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
2. Jesus ate with people so much they accused him of being a glutton
Luke 7:34-35 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
3. Jesus often Gave people Meals
1.Feeding of the 5,000
2.Feeding of the 4,000
3. In the Upper Room
“Somethings are just better together like peanut butter and jelly. This is also true of the two practices of listening and eating. Why do these two make such a powerful one two punch? First, because neighbors seldom share meals together. In our individualistic society hospitality is seen as an extravagant gesture of goodwill. Second, when the focus of the meal is centered on good conversation to get to know your neighbor, it comes across as a tremendously, generous act. Much of Jesus ministry involved conversation around a table. In the book of Luke alone, there are 10 stories of Jesus dining and talking with various people. Active, listening, coupled with a good meal can catapult a casual acquaintance into a growing friendship.”
( - B.L.E.S.S. 5 ways to love your neighbor and change the world by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson)