LUKE 24:28-30 – “So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  DINNER WITH JESUS.  Imagine having dinner with Jesus.  We each know the joy of being invited to have dinner with brothers and sisters in the Lord we love spending time with.  We also know the reciprocating giving of invitations and the joyful time it is with dear friends.  Elevate those truths to what these disciples of Jesus experienced.  They were having dinner with a Friend, and not just a friend, but the Friend of all Friends, the Lord Jesus.

I recall a few conversations with Christians who said, “I cannot wait to see Jesus. I have a lot of questions I want to ask Him.”  Inwardly I smiled and knew they really didn’t understand what they were saying. It is like the dialogue Peter had with Jesus as He was preparing to wash His disciples’ feet – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”” (John 13:3-7). Peter didn’t get it and neither do those Christians who think they are just going to walk up to Jesus saying, “Lord, let’s take a walk. I have some questions for you.”  All our questions will be answered by a simple look into His grace-filled and loving eyes!  And that would also be true on this dinner occasion. There would be more gazing upon the Lord’s face and listening than asking questions.

We don’t know what the evening was like so we cannot make conjectures or create what we might want that time to be like.  What we can do, though, is remember at least two characteristics found in the Lord Jesus that would have thrilled the hearts and renewed the minds of these disciples privileged to share a meal with Jesus.

First, the Lord’s desire to be with them. Remember when He instituted the church ordinance of the Lord’s Supper?  He earnestly desired to observe this meal with them (Luke 22:14-16). And He earnestly desires our fellowship too, NOW!  Through His Word and prayer, we may enjoy a “meal” with the Lord.  Seize those precious times.

Another characteristic which would flow from the Lord around a meal, and its conversation, is His love.  Oh, the thrill it would be to have the God who is love, the God who personally loves, converse with us at the dinner table.  Think often on His love for the more we do that, the more we learn to love Him.

Dinner with Jesus. Someday, the marriage supper of the Lamb will come, and then, literally, a meal with Jesus will be our great privilege!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for being such a glorious God who longs for fellowship with me.

REFLECTION: Never lose sight that salvation goes beyond forgiveness. It is an invitation to fellowship.