Most of us have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that we would just love to spend all of our time with if we had the opportunity. Most of us also have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that, for a variety of reasons, we would rather have nothing to do with at all. But when Jesus went to eat at Matthew's house, He showed us that everyone is invited to spend time building a relationship with Him...and with His followers too. But what do I do if I am really struggling with even being nice to that other person, much less building a connection with them? And how do I get better at letting go of my own prejudices and pre-conceived ideas when it comes to helping others find Jesus?
Mealtimes provide opportunities to get to know someone or connect with someone in a relaxed atmosphere. At the dinner table is when I tend to let my guard down and allow others to get a better glimpse of the real me, and I get a chance to get a clearer picture of them as well. Multiple times in scripture Jesus is shown enjoying a meal with others. These often become teachable moments for both His disciples and His critics. Let's take advantage of the opportunity to "eat" with Jesus and get a clearer picture of His message and His mission.
