Why did Luke include ten occasions of Jesus sharing meals with people, seven of those scenes found only in Luke? How many hundreds or thousands of times did Jesus eat with other people? These ten occasions must have been preserved in the Christian community and related to Luke because Jesus had used them to meet deep, widespread needs or to convey important truths. Luke clearly recognized that Jesus had some purpose, some meaning to convey in these mealtime conversations. While all four gospels show this theme, Luke gives the most specific examples.
In the ten meals addressed by Scott, we see the importance Jesus placed on meeting people socially and interacting with them in their personal settings. Found in these occasions are strong bonds of affection and sharp confrontations. It is in the intimacy of sharing a meal that emotions are brought to the surface: indignation, thanksgiving, forgiveness, sorrow, overflowing joy. Scott shows Jesus exposing these emotions and meeting them with searching insight, sometimes confirmation, sometimes deserved reproof, and always his offer of healing grace.
Included with each sermon is a litany that is coordinated with the teaching of the meal. Also included at the beginning of each chapter is a suggested "Worship Focus" -- one or two easy-to-find objects that serve to illustrate Jesus' purpose at each meal.
Originally written for midweek Communion services during Lent, they also are quite suitable for Communion services throughout the year.
Robert F. Scott, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has had a varied career as a pastor suburban, inner city, and rural congregations. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton Theological Seminary. Along with being a pastor, he has taught history, writing, and chemical engineering. He currently lives in Wilmington, Delaware, with his wife Bettie and their two sons.
