One of the things I love about enjoying a variety of foods is connecting with the cultures behind the flavors. Korea's short growing season and cold climate made pickled and preserved vegetables a necessity (and delicious). Latin influences and an abundance of chili peppers gave us the tastes of the southwest. And bacon cheeseburgers are just one of the reasons America is awesome! If you're willing to be a little adventurous, you can tour the world with your tastebuds!
Food connects us like nothing else; it has the power to cross cultural boundaries. Friendships are made through the sharing of meals. We take casseroles to those who are hurting and bring cake to those who are celebrating! A meal shared both nourishes us and allows us to be vulnerable with each other. Is it any wonder that the most significant expression of the presence of Jesus in our lives takes place in a shared meal around a table?
This month, we've heard the call from John's Gospel to "come and see Jesus." Again and again, those words invited us to come close and know Jesus for ourselves. So today at Kansas Christian Church, we'll go to the Psalms and hear, not come and see, but "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). It's an invitation to come near to God and experience his goodness firsthand.
