Deuteronomy 14:23, 26 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstling of thy herds and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always…and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household.
The Lord God says we will respond to Him by eating before the Lord. Table Fellowship was an important part of Jesus’ life and ministry: “He eats with tax collectors and sinners.” This table fellowship culminated in the Lord’s Supper, which is an ongoing part of our relationship with Jesus in Holy Communion. To eat with someone is to build a relationship with them. It signals that we accept one another. Eating together is a big deal in human social interaction. And every time we share a meal Jesus is in our midst. We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest…”
Indeed, Jesus is always with us, but His presence is particularly acknowledged and welcomed at family dinner time. The kind of fellowship, camaraderie, and the friendly banter of family and friends sitting at the dinner table is reminiscent of the kind of relationship we have with Jesus. He is God, yet He accepts us as brothers and sisters. The with–ness of Jesus’ presence can be experienced any time, but it is especially powerful when we eat before the Lord, and it is most notable when Jesus invites us to share His very body and blood at His Table.
Eating dinner with the Lord and sharing a meal, which God our Shepherd has abundantly provided for us, shows the close family intimacy the Lord wants to have with us. God’s Love is strong, and it binds us together with His Life. Then we fear the Lord and rejoice before Him.