Thoughts from here and there…What’s for Dinner
I don’t know why they did it. Maybe they didn’t want to bother. Perhaps it was too much work. Possibly they were only exercising their independence, after all, who wants to be told what to eat. Its worth thinking about.
“The dinner I’m going to starts at 6, John so I’ve prepared everything for you here. There’s a nice casserole in the fridge just put it in the microwave and then into the oven at 350º ‘till it bubbles…Put frozen peas into a covered Pyrex dish and microwave on high for three minutes, stir and heat again. I bought buns, there’s a fresh garden salad , for dessert there is…”
Elizabeth interrupts, “We’ll be fine, mom—honest.”
Mom waves goodbye. John, Elizabeth and April are seen leaving through the front door. They go to a local burger restaurant where they are eating burgers, fries, and a soft drink. Behind them on the wall is a menu board with headings which read: “Burgorama,” “Dogorama,” and “Spudorama.”
This is an episode of “For Better or Worse,” featuring the Patterson’s as drawn and written by Lynn Johnston.
As I read the pictures and the dialogue, I wondered why? In this age of health-consciousness, why? Why the fat and sodium? Why the calories? Why not stay at home and eat the delicious and nutritious meal that Elly had prepared? It is typical, is it not? It gives us something to think about. Just think of the table that God has spread.
In Matthew 22:1-10, it is written that: “Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.'”
I know this is a future banquet, but the invitation and it’s acceptance take place in the present. If Jesus has prepared a great banquet, why should we go to McDonald’s? It doesn’t make sense to do this, unless we are more like the first invited guests to Jesus’ banquet than we might realize.
We have here in stark contrast the bread of heaven. In contrast the food of this world may be characterized as, “Deceitful,” (Proverbs 23:2-3); “Ashes,” (Isaiah 44:20); “Unsatisfying,” (Isaiah 55:2); “Like corn husks,” (Luke 15:16); and “Perishable,” (John 6:27).
People consciousness of their nutrition needs would certainly seek that which satisfies and nurtures; they would wouldn’t they? What Lynn Johnston reveals is that is not always the case.
Worship is a banquet spread with the encouragement of the word which feeds the hungry soul with good things. September 20 is RALLY DAY! Come and enjoy the feast. Psalms 23:5, says “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” You cannot get this kind of food at Burger King.