One at a Time by Kyle IdlemanSample

Day 7

One Meal at a Time

Luke 19:1-10; John 3:17; Galatians 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:14-18

When Jesus connected with people, it was often over a meal. Why? Because Jesus came to bring people and God together, and breaking bread breaks down barriers. In fact, when Jesus encountered someone committed to sinning, his response was often to eat with them.

The most notorious sinner in Jericho was Zacchaeus. At the time, the Roman army would march into a town, demand everyone worship Caesar, execute those who wouldn’t, then recruit a local person to be the tax collector. In Jericho, that was Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, a Jew, sided with the Romans and collected taxes from the Jews to pay for Rome’s army so they could go to other towns and kill more faithful Jews who refused to worship Caesar.

If he were on social media, Zacchaeus would definitely be canceled.

But Jesus invited himself over to Zacchaeus’s house for lunch. Why? Because Jesus came with compassion to bring down the wall of sin so he could bring people to God. It worked. By dessert, Zacchaeus had repented of his sin and stepped into abundant and eternal life with God.

Over a meal, we move from talking about what’s going on with the weather to what’s going on in our lives. Eventually, a meal will provide the opportunity to connect with someone and share what Jesus has done in our lives in an unforced way.

Wherever God has placed you is a space he wants to use you. Making a difference isn’t measured by a viral post or a name on a building. It isn’t determined by a following or a fan base. Making a difference isn’t dependent on what’s in your bank account or who’s in your contacts. Want to make a difference? Focus on the one. That’s it. That’s the secret of the way of Jesus. One at a time.

Today, arrange to have a meal with someone with no agenda but to learn what’s going on in their life.