In the past few weeks I have had meals with some of my closest friends, some of my long-time see-you-every-once-in-a-while friends, family, and church friends. There is something about gathering over food that develops into more than eating–it becomes a way to connect with people and share life with them.

In all honesty, it doesn’t matter if we are eating hot dogs and beans at home, or a great steak in a restaurant; the important thing is we are sharing together. We have discussed families, memories, good times and hard times. Some of us have hit upon those dreaded topics of politics and religion–civilly, even when we may disagree. We laugh together, cry together, rehash stories we have told over and over again through the years, and just share. With many of my friends, we talk about Jesus.

Jesus shared meals with people, and in doing so we see some more facets of who Jesus is. In Luke 19, he told (didn’t really ask) Zacchaeus that he was going to his home. The fact that he went to the home of a tax collector was not unnoted. I am sure people who knew Jesus were astounded that he would have anything to do with a Zacchaeus (but maybe not his disciple, Levi).

Jesus shared meals with Lazarus and his family–sisters Martha and Mary. While Mary saw the value of sitting at Jesus’ feet, Martha was more concerned with preparing the meal. Having prepared many meals for company during my lifetime, I can certainly identify with Martha! We also see a time when Mary anointed his feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair. Sometimes meals lead to amazing actions.

Jesus shared meals with Pharisees. They may have had their own agendas in inviting Jesus, but he certainly used those opportunities to ask his own questions, share his own stories, and even show compassion to others. This was shown when a sinful woman entered the Pharisee’s house, only to anoint Jesus’ feet with rich perfume, much to the dismay of his host. She washed his feet with her tears and her hair. This was the ultimate submission, and took place where Jesus had come to dine.

Meals with friends, meals with sinners, meals with self-righteous Pharisees, a meal for 5,000–Jesus used all of them as opportunities to teach, to show compassion, and to fellowship with others.

Amazing things can come of sharing meals together. In my own life I have found that it is a time to catch up with long-time friends, a time to make new friends, and a time to have some meaningful conversations. I am not positive that there will be a banquet in heaven, but some scriptures allude toward it (Isaiah 25:6, Matt 8:11, Rev, 3:20). So when I get to heaven, I look forward to sitting at a banquet table and having a meal with Jesus. I eagerly await that day!