I Forgot To Have Lunch

When I am eating a meal I am already thinking about what I will consume when the next mealtime comes along

Matthew 15:1-39

Reference: v.32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” (TNIV Bible)

Explore: There are many things in this world that I do not understand, but I would have to say that one thing baffles me the most. I cannot understand how people say that they forgot to eat a meal.

Often this conversation arises over dinner when someone confesses that they are rather hungry because they ‘forgot to have lunch’. This is quite perplexing on a number of levels.

1. When I am eating a meal I am already thinking about what I will consume when the next mealtime comes along.
2. An hour before a meal I am already getting hungry and
3. Who could forget the best time of the day?!

It’s no surprise to you that food is very precious to me, and I can assure you that it would be a very strange day if you ever heard me say, “Oh, I forgot to have a meal today.”

Application: Matthew 15 tells us of one occasion when Jesus feeds thousands of people with only a couple of loaves of bread and a few fish. This miracle is amazing, but what jumped out at me reading through it this time was that the people had been with Jesus for THREE days.

That means that they would have gone without many conveniences, one being food, as Jesus was concerned for their wellbeing.

It’s amazing that when it comes time to worship together, for me, I can often think of an excuse – had a hard week, too busy, feeling unwell, very tired, etc, etc. And yet, these people were so committed to being in the crowd before Jesus, that they stayed for three days, even without food.

True worship comes with sacrifice as it shows our commitment to what we are doing. And yet, the sacrifice did not go unrewarded. Because of the people’s dedication to stay with Jesus they were witnesses to one of the greatest miracles the world has ever seen.

Prayer: Lord, it’s so easy to justify not doing something. May we be dedicated in our worship so that we have an experience of your wonder. Amen.

What can you sacrifice this week in order to give more in your worship?

commitment, food, Matthew, sacrifice, worship