Eighty percent of those surveyed knew about the "two all beef patties" of the Big Mac, but only six of ten had any recollection of "Thou shalt not kill." Sixty-two percent knew that pickles were in a Big Mac, but only about 45% could recall the commandment to "honor thy father and mother." More tragically, even those who attended church at least once a week had big trouble naming all ten. The commandments "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not steal" lost out to their recollection of Big Mac ingredients.
This explains the confusion or even outright disorder in our society. It could also account for the breakup of families and the blunting of moral clarity in the church. Years ago, a whole advertising campaign was launched on the penetrating question, "Where’s the beef?" Today, most everyone seems to know about the beef in a McDonald’s burger, but few feast on the meat of the Word of God. Bodies are chunky, but souls are spindly. The latest food or fad grabs people’s attention, but the timeless Word of God is an option.
In New Testament times, even before Scripture was complete and when Bible scrolls were scarce, the Apostle Paul chided the Corinthian church, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it…." (I Cor. 3:1-2). Hebrews 5:12-14 builds on the solid diet theme. "… you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." That was then; this is now—seemingly no better even with endless study helps, Bible translations, commentaries and a plethora of solid teaching in the Christian media.
Society at large is spiritually emaciated, and even believers are sipping spiritual milk and scarfing down the world’s fare when they should be chewing and digesting the meat of God’s Word. Fast food is now the preference of the church, with giddy sentimentalism replacing declarative preaching and profound study. We’d rather wolf down light appetizers than sit for the main course of heavy sermon and study. We’re majoring on sweets instead of meats. Isaiah cried, "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).
King David’s deep spiritual hunger was satisfied as he recalled in Psalm 23:5. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…" Christ’s invitation, "Come and dine" at the breakfast feast in John 21:12 was the theme of a song by Charles B. Widmeyer. It was sung before many a meal at many a Bible conference, and we need to strike up the tune and affirm the lyrics once again.
Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine;"
With His manna He doth feed and supplies our every need:
Oh ‘tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time.
The disciples came to land, thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, "Come and dine."
There they found their heart’s desire, bread and fish upon the fire:
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.
Soon the Lamb will take His bride to be ever at His side,
All host of Heaven will assembled be;
Oh ‘twill be a glorious sight, all the saints in spotless white,
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine."
You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
to the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."
Dave Virkler
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