FOOD and FAITH

Food and Faith - June 2024 Newsletter

20 years ago, a very small production company released a movie that changed the food industry. Written, produced, and directed by Morgan Spurlock, “Super-Size Me” featured him as the main character. Morgan undertook an attempt to stick to a 30-days McDonald’s diet. If you’ve seen the movie – you are familiar with the story. If you have NOT seen the movie – I would recommend reading Wikipedia page, takes less time with the same result.

I watched the movie about 15 years ago back in Russia. A friend of mine brought a DVD with him from his trip to the US. My point is not to fight with fast food industry. I can enjoy a fast-food meal from time to time. I would not bring it up, but something happened recently – Morgan Spurlock died being 53 years old. I am not sure that his death is related to his dietary experiments during the filming (it should be noted that on day 21 his doctor advised him to stop the experiment due to possible unreversible health/body changes). The news about Morgan’s death recovered some memories about the movie and got me thinking about the food.

One particular story that we find in the Bible in relationship of food and faith is found in the Book of Daniel in chapter 5. That’s where “king” Belshazzar has a great feast (literally – Bread, it is important). The reason for the gathering was an attempt to perform some kind of religious ceremony to appeal to any deity that would listen to be rescued from the Persians. Since there is only one God who listens, speaks, and acts this Babylonian gathering would’ve been a failure, but Belshazzar ordered to bring furniture from the Temple of Jerusalem that his grandfather – Nebuchadnezzar – brought together with the exiled Israelites. Now think about it: they had the furniture from the Temple, they had a special dedicated bread, they appeal to God. To their surprise, He answered… We know the answer: you are weighted and found light (without glory), and your kingdom will be given to the Persians. So, was Belshazzar doomed?

As a ruler – yes (the Persians took over the very same night), as a human on the brink of death whose eternal fate will be decided soon – I am not sure… for the very subtle reason – at the end of the story godly prophet Daniel (who did not authorize that “feast”) decided to receive the gifts of the ruler. This might indicate that God at the last moment saw he contrite heart, similar to the thief of the cross who died next to Jesus the Savior of all people, including Belshazzar, criminals, and us.

As we enter the second part of the Church year, we will more and more talk about God’s work in our hearts – this work will continue till the very last day on earth from all of us (everyone who has at least a little garden knows that the weeds should be pulled regularly, never ending process). As we come to the Lord’s table to partake consecrated bread and wine, let us think of a great sacrifice of the Lord for our freedom, which gives us ability to be consecrated too. Partaking this blessed feast leaves us with Christ living in us (Gal. 2:20). God who listens, speaks, and acts now works through us. May the food of Christ transform and empower us for listening to the troubled heart, sharing the wisdom of the Word with a lost one, and helping the trapped to overcome the obstacles in their life.