A few weeks ago I heard a pastor preach on one of my favorite passages of Scritpure. I've read it often, and preached on it multiple times. I know much about the passage and the cultural background that the pastor never mentioned in his message, perhaps things he doesn't know.
Because I know this passage so well, this would seem to set me up for a morning when I was bored. When I was not - as some say - "fed" by the morning. But nothing could be further from the truth. My understanding of the passage actually added to my sense of listening to the Lord....
When people talk about "wanting to be fed" at church, and what they mean by that is that they need to learn new (brain) information coming from the pastor every Sunday, I think they are missing the whole point. Food of the Spirit is not simply information. And the food does not come from just one person.
Imagine if you went to a friend's house for a meal. You sat down, and then the host began to pick up a spoon to feed everyone around the table. Perhaps she even added airplane noises as the spoon zoomed towards you.
That would be more than a bit odd, would it not? I mean... You're an adult. Adults feed themselves! If they don't something is very wrong.
When I speak, teach, preach, my job to "feed" does not mean I pick up the spoon. My job is to be part of a team that sets the table. The table includes good food (worship, the reading of the Sciptures, the sacraments, and yes, thoughtful teaching), but who sits at the table is as important as what is served. The gathering must include a community of people (the church), invited guests, and the invited Spirit of God, mingling among those there, doing His Work. If that table is set? People do not need someone else saying "open wide." Instead, they need to participate in the feast.
Friends... If you are wanting to "be fed"? Don't find someone to feed you. Find a place where the table is set...but you must pick up the spoon, the fork, the knife yourself. Then enjoy the feast.
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