(Further reflections on “A Divine Injunction”—Sunday 28-Jan-2024)
Food separates people as well as brings them together. God asked the ancient Israelites to set themselves apart or be holy by giving them His perfect Law, which included the ceremonial and dietary law. Clean and unclean animals were categorized. There were specific instructions on food. Both Jews and non-Jews, in the covenant of the Law, were to live according to the Law. God’s people live according to His law. Now the Gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e. the birth, death, resurrection, ascension, the endowment of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of Christ’s return) had sent an “offensive invitation,” first to the Jews (cf. Acts 10:9-16). God invited Peter, a representative of His people, to carry out what Jesus had earlier declared that all foods are clean (cf. Mark 7:17-19), that is, to “kill and eat” profane / impure / unclean animals. To the Jews, this invitation is offensive. To the Gentiles, this is a very welcoming news. To receive this invitation in a non-offensive manner, both need to do it in faith. Trust and obey this divine injunction that came from the One who both fulfilled the Law and is the Creator of all things. Food is not the gospel. But the Gospel includes food, which either brings people together or separates them. Unity in Christ doesn’t mean that we have to eat the same food all the time. But it does mean that whatever food we are to eat, we can / should seat at the same table. We don’t demand a separate table / tray for different diets, i.e. kosher or vegetarian. Today, a number of Christians are misled by social activists who consider meat-eaters as ‘environment-haters’. The pressure is so real (but evidently foolish). People who were being “Christianized” are people who have a form of Christianity as a belief but also embrace or syncretize with other beliefs as well. Some “christianized” folks take every word that comes from a well-known activist more seriously than Jesus’ declaration on food. “How dare you?” These folks, like the Jews who sticked to Judaism (and rejected Christ), wanted to separate what Jesus had united—food! // Side-note for fun fact check. Just go to any meat restaurant, ask for a vegetable dish, 99.99% they will have it for you. But when going to the Vegetarian restaurants, ask for a meat dish. Watch closely their reactions! And don't laugh. Respect! //
Food is not love. But love seemingly includes food. As part of God’s love for his people, He gave us food. Our love for another, we should eat food from every culture and diet. It’s hard to love a country or people if you don’t like / love their food. We don’t need to like everything from a particular cuisine, but we should be willing to try and eat some of them.
Food is not the great commission. But the great commission includes food. And living out the Gospel and having missional lifestyle means we will embrace all kinds of cuisines (of course, non-cannibalistic) and various cultural elements that are, needless to say, non-sinful.
Food, biblically speaking, is more communal than personal. When Christ’s followers eat together, it’s called ‘fellowship’. When believers eat with not-yet-believers, it’s called social interaction, but when done with an intention to share the Gospel, it’s called “outreach” or for a better word, being “missional.” And when one eats alone for quiet time, it is okay but if it is because he or she cannot tolerate other people's different diets, it's called "SAD" (Simply Apprehensive Disembodiment)--don't look this up.
May the above "thoughts for food" be "food for thought" for us today!
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Pastor Lap
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