By Rev. Dr. William H. Chavis, Jr.
Scripture: Psalm 90:14
Communion is called the Eucharist. Eucharist means the “Great Thanksgiving.” I believe fellowship with God occurs when we eat bread and drink grape juice from the Communion table. I express the following words when I serve Communion: “Lord, change this bread and juice from a physical use to a spiritual use.” Then I give God thanks, and He shows up! He shows up by sharing His loving Presence within the congregation. That’s what happens when we invite God to our daily meals with thanksgiving.
Throughout the Bible, God fellowshipped with His people through a meal. The act of eating and drinking was the fundamental way that God could physically have fellowship with His people by sharing His Presence and love. Let me give you an example from Exodus 24:9-11. It reads, “Then Moses went up (to the mountain of Horeb) with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire as clear as the sky itself. Yet, He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the Sons of Israel, and they saw God, and they ate and drank” (NASB).
God speaks and communes with us through a meal. Sharing a meal with others has a bonding effect on relationships. We bond with God when we say grace and thank Him at mealtime. What Is God expressing to us as we eat and drink with thanksgiving? He whispers, “I love you.” “I want you to experience my Presence as you eat and drink.” “I have shown up!”
Having meals with God is a visible expression of His love for us. God wants us to feast on His invisible Presence of lovingkindness. Psalm 90:14 states, “O satisfy us early with Your lovingkindness” (NASB). Lovingkindness means mercy, steadfast love, divine love, or loyal love. The word for satisfying is a word that describes eating until you are full of nourishment. God wants us to feast on His everlasting love through His Word.
Do you have a hunger and thirst for God? Is Jesus your passion? Are you satisfied with His love but want more of God? His lovingkindness is always available to feed your spiritual hunger. You don’t have to wait to eat Thanksgiving dinner to become full. The feast of God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus is always ready to feed you.
In Psalm 63:1, David wrote, “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (NASB). The fullness of God’s love left David dissatisfied because although he was full, David wanted more of God. David continued to feast on God’s everlasting love. He knew that God would always show up.
We celebrate our retirements, weddings, and birthdays with a meal. We visit our friends and find ourselves at their kitchen table, fellowshipping by eating and drinking. Why? Eating and drinking are bonding rituals among human beings. When we eat our Thanksgiving dinner and say grace by giving thanks to God, we invite God to join us, sharing His love and Presence while we eat and drink. His loving Presence will show up.