Laurie Colwin, a female American writer once remarked: “The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift.” John 6:35 reminds us: “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Nourishment is defined as the food necessary for growth, health and good condition. Amongst its many benefits, it can provide pabulum, victuals and knowledge. More importantly, it may be deemed as a special food from God that is provided through His unstinting love. Life without nourishment could be compared to a body without a soul. The combined elements of body and soul feed each other and are essential to sustain a prosperous and worthwhile existence. One’s quality of life is initially dependent on seeking the difference between good and evil, the answer being provided through spiritual nourishment. Psalm 1:1-6 reminds us: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.“
Scripture can provide many of the necessary ingredients for an unforgettable sumptuous banquet of life that many may hope for, but some can’t find. Its fine wine can quench the thirst and the delectable food presented surfeit a natural hunger. It can guide one in the right direction on the pathway of life. It can teach knowledge that may sustain food for thought or confirm and reassure elements of doubt, it evokes wisdom, choice and satisfies our hunger and thirst. If we seek it, God may actually supply the actual products to replenish us. John 6:1-14 reminds us: After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
Food can sometimes be deceptive in appearance. The hidden quality or delights of its unique taste may conceal a known expectancy of the traditional and acceptable tastes that the body is used to. Its sight or implication may be extremely misleading, and perhaps initially unappetizing. Sometimes, despite fear, when one tries a new dish they discover an experience of wonder that delights the taste buds in a never previously encountered way, and instantly become a future permanent favorite and delight.
Just as some children are readily identified as being skeptical about new situations or previously untried dishes presented at mealtimes, sometimes, adults may react in a similar way and decline the offer of God’s food simply by its appearance or its unknown elements. The structure or ingredients that are invisible don’t appeal to the taste buds. Doubt about acceptable taste may enter the equation and the worry or fear of after-effects can cause a rejection to come to the fore.
The same can apply to those who don’t know or truly understand the benefits of a relationship with God. Doubt or worry of the unknown or unseen prevail, and may require an element of reassurance from a trusted person to eradicate the assumed problem and allow the big toe to be inserted into the water. Charles Stanley, an American pastor and writer once remarked: “Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped.”
Rejection of the personal offer of God’s table and banquet always remains an option for those of little faith or belief. Mark 6:1-6 reminds us: “He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.”
The essential, but unknown milk provided by a mother to a newborn baby, satisfies and nourishes the needs of the infant. It sustains life, and aids growth and development. However, as we age and develop into maturity, we need not only solid food, but more spiritual sustenance and trust. God’s word through the Bible and personal prayer can provide the necessary food and drink we need to maintain a life to its fullest extent. 1 Peter 2:2 reminds us: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
Amen.
