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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is ‘the Lord of the Sabbath teaches with food and drink. Food and drink are for the refreshment and nourishment of the body. Jesus acknowledged their value in the life of human beings.

Ecclesiates 3:1 underscores the point that ” For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” There were times Jesus preached, people listened and followed Him. There were other times Jesus became interested in the salvation of some people the Pharasees and Scribes would describe as tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:30). Jesus showed great love and concern for such people by eating and drinking with them at their homes while still sharing the Good News with them. This evangelistic approach led the salvation of people like Zacchaeus, Levi (Matthew) and others.

No one fasted better and more effective than Jesus. He clearly understood the value of staying away from pleasure, food and drinks while focusing on God. (Luke 4:1-13). Again, He understood that there was a time and season for everything including fasting, eating and drinking. The fact that John the Baptist, the Pharasees and their disciples were fasting regularly does not make them more righteous than those who eat, drink and fast differently. (Luke 5:33-39)  This is a great lesson for believers who think that their regular outward exhibition of spiritual activities such as prayer and fasting makes them holier or more acceptable to God than others. Jesus stressed love over any other godly or spiritual exercise therefore whether we eat, drink or fast it must be pleasing to God and must above all, demonstrate love and lead to the salvation of others. It is for this reason Jesus said “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” (Luke 5:35) Jesus knows when His disciples will have the need to fast and pray, it was not to be determined by anyone.

Being the Lord of the Sabbath, He will not interpret the law of the Sabbath to oppress or make life burdensome for those who are famishing in hunger but where there is need to be nourished and refreshed with food and drink the body must be attended to.(Luke 6:1-5) God is the one who judges the heart of a person, righteousness is not determined by our human understanding and standard but by God’s standard. Shalom

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, grant us the discernment to know when to fast and pray and when to nourish and refresh the body with food and drink. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)