As I reflect on Easter weekend, I'm struck by the vital important of meals in the events surrounding Jesus' final days on earth and His resurrection.

The night before He was crucified, Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Passover, and established a meal as the remembrance that would be celebrated for generations to come...

"Do this in remembrance of Me."

Jesus didn't establish a place we should go to remember Him. He didn't even tell us to use the symbol of the cross to remember him. Instead, He left us... a meal.

Then, on that first Easter Sunday, meals again took center stage. In what I believe is one of the greatest "scenes" in the entire story of Jesus' life, two of His disciples are traveling on the road to Emmaus when Jesus joins them. The Bible says they were "kept from recognizing Him." Jesus then then gives them the greatest Bible lesson of all time: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:27). But they still didn't recognize Jesus!

It wasn't until they arrived in Emmaus and sat down for a meal with Jesus that they recognized Him...

"When [Jesus] was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him."

Later that evening, Jesus appeared to the disciples, but they simply couldn't believe it was Him. So Jesus asked for some food...

"'Do you have anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence." (Luke 20:41-42)

My staff will often hear me say that something special happens over a shared meal. Perhaps more accurately, something divine happens over a shared meal. When we "break bread," especially with those in need, God's love and grace are shared in ways we simply cannot understand.

Two thousand years ago, God used a meal to open the disciples' eyes. And thanks to Jesus' resurrection, we now have a perpetual feast by which to remember the Risen Christ!

Thank you so much for your faithful partnership with Mercy Chefs. Because of you, millions of people have had eye-opening encounters over meals you helped provide. I pray God's richest blessings on you and your family as you celebrate Jesus' resurrection!

God bless,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs

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