Nov
2
2012
The Menu
Posted in Family Life 2 Comments
He sits on the kitchen counter.
Not really a “he”…but an “it”.
He has been there since my children were little.
A life saver, really, with five children all asking the same thing…every day.
What’s for dinner?
Five times each day that question would be asked…at various times of course.
Really…six times…my husband would ask as well.
I decided to remedy the situation.
I set out on my quest!
There were plain ones…ones with pigs…modern looking ones.
None of them were “me”!
None of them were “country” enough for my kitchen.
One day…there he was!
He sat in the window of a store I rarely visited.
White coat…high white hat…apron…holding the prize!
A chef…holding a chalkboard…on which I could write the day’s menu!
I bought him…and brought him home!
When my young children had come home from school, the one who never misses anything, was the first to notice him.
In rapid succession…without taking a breath…
What’s that?
He’s cute.
Is he always going to be there?
Is that what we’re having for dinner?
What shall we name him?
A chef…he is…Yes…spaghetti and meatballs…that’s up to you!
All through dinner…and the rest of the evening…they discussed names.
It was my youngest daughter that named him…Billy Bob Junior.
I have no idea where she came up with that name…but it stuck!
So…Billy Bob Jr. was officially a Gallagher.
That little chef has been a blessing through the years.
His chalkboard proudly announces birthdays, anniversaries, holidays.
In some way…as much as an inanimate object could be part of the family…he is!
Even when I taught Bible study in my home years ago, the women would check the board for the night’s menu.
Billy Bob Jr. has been a faithful friend.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
(Matthew 9:10,11)
Why indeed?
Can you imagine what Billy Bob Jr. would proudly announce at Matthew’s house?
Tax Collectors and Sinners Welcome!
That would be us!
We would read Matthew’s chalkboard and feel very welcome.
We know our sinfulness…and once you know your sinfulness…you know your need!
The Pharisees would have been offended by Matthew’s chalkboard.
Their self-righteousness would never allow them to see themselves as sinners.
They didn’t need a chalkboard…they had a clipboard.
That clipboard recorded their impeccable record…all the “good” they had done.
Checked off the list!
Jesus would have approved of the chalkboard…but not the clipboard.
The Pharisees were proud of their checks…their works.
However, their checks meant nothing to Jesus.
They never acknowledged their sin.
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:12,13)
You can only extend mercy when you have received mercy.
You can only receive mercy, when you come in humility and lay your sin before Him.
The Pharisees never extended mercy, because they never experienced God’s mercy.
Not that God was unwilling to extend His mercy to them.
God is always willing and able.
The problem with the Pharisees was they never saw their sin.
They only saw how very righteous they were.
Righteous…in their own eyes.
The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Jesus’ menu.
Himself.
God the Father’s chalk board.
Tax Collectors and Sinners Welcome!
Mercy extended.
Mercy announced…every time we eat with Him.
Jesus is still eating with sinners…because He eats with us!
Those with the clipboard never read the chalkboard.
They are offended.
Their self-righteousness keeps them hungry.
We acknowledge our sinfulness.
We lay down our clipboard.
We come to the Master Chef.
We are welcome…we eat…we are full!
I love this! Billy Bob Jr would approve. I love you!
Claire,
I love you!
I love the memories we have made…and the ones we are still making as a family!
MOM