YOUR DAILY DIVE: FELLOWSHIP

YOUR DAILY DIVE: FELLOWSHIP

SCRIPTURE:
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NASB)

STORY:
In the early days of the Church, several thousand people accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah and entered into a Christian community that was fully invested in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer (Luke 2:42). They were united in their desire to grow in the Lord and grow as the body of Christ. One of the most joyful times of their day was mealtime, when they not only fed their bodies but they fed their souls with Christian fellowship.

It should not be surprising that food and fellowship were inextricably linked in the early Church because they form a prominent thread woven into the tapestry of God’s redemptive story. When God called the Israelites to gather as a nation, He commanded them to participate in feasts celebrating His faithfulness (Lev. 23). Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine—took place at a wedding feast (John 2:1-9). In the Gospels, we repeatedly see Jesus dining with fringe members of society (Matthew 9:9-13). In the story of the prodigal son, the father celebrate the return of his son with a feast (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus compared the coming millennial kingdom to a wedding banquet (Matthew 22:2-4). In His final meal before He was crucified, Jesus introduced the memorial meal that we now know as the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:17-30; Luke 22:7-23). And in His resurrected state, Jesus stood on the shore inviting His disciples to the breakfast He had prepared for them (John 21:12). In summary, God loves bringing His people together for fellowship over a good meal.

APPLICATION for today's Christ-follower:
We should love what God loves. In some cases, that’s a challenge. But it shouldn’t be hard to embrace God’s love for fellowship over food. Who doesn’t love a good meal?! And it tastes even better when it is shared with people who love the Lord and want to grow in their relationship with Him. Food fuels growth of the body. But it can also fuels growth of the soul.

PRAYER:
LORD, You uniquely created me to be in fellowship with You. Thank You for loving me that much! As Your creation, my heart craves communion with You and with others who love You. But the brokenness of this world often leads to isolation and loneliness. Lord, help me and those around me develop and make time for authentic Christian fellowship—intimate, intentional community that runs deeper than coffee and donuts at church. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.