Dine

Revelation 3:20 NASB Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Sharing a meal is one of the lost treasures of modern life. It is universally a time to get to know someone, deepen a relationship, or simply enjoy the fellowship of a great friend. But our busy schedule has us eating in the car, eating on the go, and running from one activity to another. Meals are meant to be centered around joy, fellowship, hope, celebrations of life, building togetherness, and nurturing a healthy life. What may come as a surprise is that God also loves a great meal with friends.

The Bible begins and ends with meals. God ate with Abraham (Genesis 18:8) when He delivered the promise of a son. He ate with Moses and the elders of Israel (Exodus 24:11 NIV) on Mount Sinai to confirm the covenant between God and Israel and celebrate His promises. In Isaiah 25:6, God prepares a feast to celebrate His glorious reign: “In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.”

Jesus never passed up an opportunity to break bread with those he loved. But Jesus did not only eat with his friends; Jesus ate with those who wished to know him and even those who questioned who he was and what he was about. Mark 2:15 NIV “While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” Jesus didn’t eat with sinners and tax collectors because he wanted to fit in, appear to be inclusive, or be accepted by the crowd. Jesus ate with them to reveal who God the Father is and call them into a relationship with Him. Just before his ascension to the Father, Jesus used a seashore meal to bring healing and restoration to the life of Peter. Following Pentecost, the early church became known for “all the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and prayer” (Acts 2:42).

At the end of this age, following the rapture of the Church and Christ’s triumphant return, is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9 NIV proclaims, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a glorious celebration of our bridegroom, Lord and Savior, and all who are in Christ as his bride! “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” Revelation 19:7.

In 1907, Charles Widmeyer, a 23-year-old from West Virginia, penned the following lyrics to a now forgotten hymn: “Come and dine, the Master calleth, Come and dine; You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time; He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, To the hungry calleth now, Come and dine.” (Come And Dine, C. B. Widmeyer). There is an open invitation to all who follow him to come and dine, to pull up a chair, join the celebration, and share a meal with the Lord!

God is not looking for a casual relationship. He is searching for community and deep, intimate relationships filled with meals celebrating His love, mercy, faithfulness, and goodness. Psalm 16:11 tells us, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” When you become a born-again Christ follower, you are destined for an eternity of celebrating the Lamb of God who gave himself for us. The good news is that you can start celebrating now. Just open the door!

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Luke 5:30-32 NIV But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? Jesus answered them, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Revelation 19:9 NIV Then the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! And he added, These are the true words of God.

Acts 2:46 NIV Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Matthew 4:4 NASB Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 5:6 NASB Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Genesis 9:2-3 AMP Every animal of the land, every bird of the air, together with everything that moves on the ground, and with all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; I give you everything, just as I gave you the green plants and vegetables.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

Isaiah 55:1-3 NLT Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

Deuteronomy 12:7 NIV There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.

Psalms 23:5-6 NLT You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

John 21:12-13 TPT Come, let’s have some breakfast, Jesus said to them. And not one of the disciples needed to ask who it was, because every one of them knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus came close to them and served them the bread and the fish.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT So whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.