Midweek Musing- 6/12/24

My daughter Brittany recently bought a gift for herself to celebrate surviving her first year of teaching high school.

The item she purchased was a surprise for me. It wasn’t electronics or a new phone or jewelry or clothes. It was a Blackstone Grill!

If you are unfamiliar a Blackstone is a fancy outdoor propane-powered grill with a flat top cooking surface that can be used for steak, chicken, fish, shrimp, eggs, bacon, vegetables, hibachi, pork chops, pancakes, fire-grilled pizza, rice, hashbrowns, burgers and lots more. (Have I made you hungry yet???)

Anyway, I was surprised she bought it. She had been talking about it and watching prices looking for sales, but I wasn’t sure she was serious about it. However, I came home one afternoon, and it was being assembled by my daughters who were smart enough to tell me not to help!

Now while I was surprised that she bought it, I am so very glad that she did. Because I am not sure we have used our oven since she got this. I can also share that she has become quite the chef.

Beyond the delicious food, one of the most enjoyable parts of these meals has been reconnecting around the dinner table together. The end of our school year was crazy (the last month of school always is) and we seemed to see each other in passing and as we ate on the run.

Sitting down to a meal has been refreshing to say the least. In these simple moments we have reconnected with one another, but oddly I have also reconnected with parts of my own being.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not) I was also reminded as I was doing some reading just how much of Jesus’s ministry occurred around meals. Jesus often took time out from all the many many things that were pressing in on him to stop a share a meal with good food and good company. You might even say Jesus was a foodie!

But I also discovered something in reading about Jesus gathering with others for a meal that I had never considered before. I had read this passage many times but had missed it until last week. It seems in addition to being a carpenter and rabbi and savior of the world, Jesus was also a chef or at least a grill master.

"When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.'

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish."

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”(John 21:9-19 NIV)

In John 21, we see Jesus using a simple, everyday moment to connect with His disciples. After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. They had been fishing all night without success, but at Jesus' instruction, they cast their nets once more and catch a miraculous number of fish. When they return to shore, they find Jesus already preparing breakfast on a fire of burning coals. He invites them to bring some of the fish they caught and join Him for a meal. And it was when they were relaxed around the table (or campfire) that Jesus was able to engage in a conversation of forgiveness with Peter, who had denied him prior to his crucifixion.

Just as the Blackstone grille has become a focal point for my family’s gathering together for food, fellowship, and fun; the fire of burning coals on the shore serves as a gathering place for the risen Lord and his friends. This meal served as a reminder of Jesus's care for both body and soul.

On the shoreline Jesus meets His disciples in their confusion and weariness and provides for their immediate physical need: food. But more than that, He offers them His presence, reassurance, and love. This simple act of cooking and sharing a meal becomes a profound moment of communion and restoration.

Brittany’s Blackstone Grill, much like the campfire meal that Jesus prepared, symbolizes more than just a means to cook food. It represents a place of connection, hospitality, and service. As we gather around the various tables to share meals with the ones we love, we can reflect on Jesus' invitation to come and be nourished, both physically and spiritually.

And we remember this each time we gather around the Lord’s table as well.

Friends in all of our fast-paced lives, it's easy to overlook the significance of sharing meals with others and taking the opportunities they present for slowing down to engage in deeper more meaningful connections.

Every time I go past that Blackstone Grill it reminds me to slow down, to appreciate the blessing of food, and to recognize the sacred holiness of these ordinary moments.

Just as Jesus used a simple meal to reveal God’s love and care, we too can use our time and resources to bless others, to create spaces of welcome and belonging.

Friends let us slow down to see all the simple yet profound gifts and moments available to us. May we seek opportunities in our everyday lives to share ourselves with others. And as we gather around tables or grills or Waffle House counters or wherever we may gather for a meal, may we be reminded of Christ’s invitation to come and be nourished. And after being nourished, may we go out renewed to love and serve and do the good that God places in our path to do.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Alleluia Amen.