Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hatred. Proverbs 15:17, TLV

What “Meal” are we Serving?     Have you ever entered a home filled with the love of GOD — where the family dwells in unity, peace, and commitment? Do you remember what they served? What food did you eat? Me neither. All I remember is the feast of hospitality and warmth. The richness of love. The sense of peace. And I really wanted to come back.

What do we serve in our home? A feast perfectly prepared, but with a frantic environment? Or a simple meal seasoned with love, compassion, peace, and acceptance?

In our quest to entertain guests do we forget to prepare our home and food with a focus on love? Not just for the guests, but so that our family doesn’t feel like beleaguered servants?

It is possible to have a feast of food and true hospitality even during the busy holiday season, right? But, if our tendency is to make ourselves and our loved ones around us crazy in order to have a perfect home and meal, we just sucked the love right out of it. And we’re missing the point of Biblical hospitality.

Not the Typical Martha Lesson

We can take a lesson from our sister Martha (Luke 10:38-41), but maybe not the typical lesson we’ve heard in the past. I don’t believe Jesus meant He didn’t want to be fed, because earlier (vss. 5-12) He spoke of the 70 emissaries dining in peace as guests. That was His point. Jesus was speaking of peace for both the guests and the family. That all would dine on love and in an environment that promoted opportunities to fellowship in peace.

No one remembers what Martha served — only that she slaved over it and missed opportunities of fellowship. But I imagine Mary remembered all that Jesus spoke to her.

Think More About It

What meal do we serve our guests? How about our family?

Until tomorrow, may we serve love and peace to our guests and family, my friends.

“Have your belt strapped on and lamps burning. Be like people waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.” Luke 12:35-36, TLV

Be ready, my friends. How? Prayer. Listening. Reading the word. Let’s pray for Israel that they will be ready for the next move of the Lord. Yes? Shabbat shalom and God bless you!