It was an imperfect Sabbath Meal from beginning to end...our first. The Challah bread was bumpy and so were our transitions from one part of the meal to another. My husband, "Celebrate the Feasts" book in hand guided us through each scene. The candle lighting, blessing of the cup, hand washing, covering of the knives, blessing of the bread and the salting of it( which made us all giggle). "I think the Jewish people would be eating by now." announces the youngest boy and indeed he was probably right as we fumbled through.
Finally...food. It had been a long day of preparing for this meal that begins as the sun slips away each and every Friday evening, and so goes the Jewish calendar. Why all of this ceremony? Our way must be more efficient. Cook it, say grace, eat it, leave the table to yet go try to satisfy ourselves further with an activity of choice. One by one the table empties. Not for the Sabbath Meal though. Perhaps that's why God planned the time around the table for His people to be a Holy time. A time "set apart" for thanksgiving and communion which reflects the 7th day of Creation. How could we be filled around the table and somehow even more satisfied by lingering there together? A prayer of Thanksgiving...at the end? But that would require each person to stay put until the meal was officially over, to consider others more important than themselves,to intentionally not fill schedules to the brim that require all the rushing around on a Friday evening. That's just seems downright un-American but does it have to be?
Finally...food. It had been a long day of preparing for this meal that begins as the sun slips away each and every Friday evening, and so goes the Jewish calendar. Why all of this ceremony? Our way must be more efficient. Cook it, say grace, eat it, leave the table to yet go try to satisfy ourselves further with an activity of choice. One by one the table empties. Not for the Sabbath Meal though. Perhaps that's why God planned the time around the table for His people to be a Holy time. A time "set apart" for thanksgiving and communion which reflects the 7th day of Creation. How could we be filled around the table and somehow even more satisfied by lingering there together? A prayer of Thanksgiving...at the end? But that would require each person to stay put until the meal was officially over, to consider others more important than themselves,to intentionally not fill schedules to the brim that require all the rushing around on a Friday evening. That's just seems downright un-American but does it have to be?
What comes of stepping into this other culture and enjoying a Sabbath meal you ask? Old Testament history for one thing but also one of the most peaceful, Christ centered, times around the table we have ever had, that's what! Enjoying food, good and plenty, enjoying God our Creator and Redeemer through Jesus and slowing down to enjoy each other. The practice of intentionality is not legalism. Traditions or routines that lead one to know Christ more are not either. Only that those practices become essential to one's salvation justifies the scarlett letter "L" and we should be careful about the branding with our lips. The fact that Christians go about "this" or do "that" out of their inclination to acknowledge their Savior should be observed with grace and seasoned with salt whether "old school or new school", whether the first fruits are presented with our standard of excellence or not.
God instructed his people to participate in ceremonies and the building of spiritual markers and yes even traditions because He knows our hearts are prone to wander. In his grace he invites us to remember Him in all things and shows us ways we can do it regularly.
God instructed his people to participate in ceremonies and the building of spiritual markers and yes even traditions because He knows our hearts are prone to wander. In his grace he invites us to remember Him in all things and shows us ways we can do it regularly.
Thankyou Father, for walking us through how to keep you in the center of everything and for knowing that some of your children need you to extend the hand of "ceremony" as a teaching aid in faithfulness.
"Therefore whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
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