BOA #70 - Enjoy the Lingering Meal - Happy Thanksgiving! - a podcast by Dr. Stan Ott

Mealtime today is often an interruption between Activity A and Activity B. For Jesus, meal time was an Activity A, indeed, Jesus often ate with his disciples.

“So, they gave a dinner [deipnon] for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.” John 12:2*

The Greek word deipnon is translated feast, banquet, supper, dinner, an sometimes as “the lingering meal.”
The deipnon was the main meal of the day and not just inserted between activities, it was one of “the” activities.
Deipnon meant three things: food, conversation, and lingering – and the food was secondary. The primary function of the deipnon was to talk – to be “with” one another - to speak of what was happening in your lives and in the world around you.

Furthermore, when we eat with fellow followers of Jesus, he joins us, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20

There are few more effective and delightful ways to grow relationships and to build people than to enjoy a deipnon, a shared meal, a lingering meal with:

• anyone who lives in your home on a daily basis.
• with those who are already dear friends of your heart.
• with those whom you would like to grow deeper in friendship.

Make the lingering meal a regular part of your busy life!

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