Afternoon Prescott Family,

I don't know about you, but I love food. All types, well, maybe not Brussel sprouts.

But, something I love more than the food is with whom I'm sharing it with. Whether it's my mom's cooking with family, out at a cafe with friends, or even a breakfast club at school. Food is an extraordinary way of connecting and bringing people together.

In the Bible there are so many times where Jesus used a meal to break down walls, bring unlikely friends together, and show kindness to those who never received it. He used food to reach out and connect with people that were considered outsiders. 

One of my favorite Bible meal times is where Jesus invites himself over for lunch. The story of Zacchaeus showed how one kind act can really impact a life. He was a tax collector who definitely was not loved by many. Especially since they were known to cheat and take advantage of people, taking more than they should have. So, when he heard of a man that was kind, loved to take care of the people and treat them with a love that seemed impossible, why wouldn’t he go and seek that out. We have this innate feeling of ours that compels us at times to seek out those that confuse or inspire us. In James 4:8 it is written, 'Come near to God, and he will come near to you.' This is shown when Zacchaeus went to see who this Jesus was, he never expected that the one he was seeking out sought after him. 

And I don't know about Zacchaeus, but a surprise invite would send me into a panic; is the house clean, do I have enough food and where will everyone sit (as I am yet to get a dining table). I would be so focused on making sure everything is perfect and organized that the joy and excitement of having Him over would be replaced with stress and anxiety. But Jesus isn't coming to see what five course meal Zacchaeus would have prepared or if he pulled out the “good plates”. He is there to spend time and enjoy life with him.

The story of Zacchaeus shows us that sometimes someone is just waiting to share time and do life with you.

Jesus isn't waiting for us to come to him when we are perfect and organized, He just wants us to come to Him the way we are.

Many blessings,

Pastor Andy.