Food is a constant throughout the Bible. The storyline of Scripture originates in a garden and culminates with the marriage supper of the Lamb. Each testament has a defining dinner, Passover in the Old Testament and the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. Feeding the poor is a recurring issue in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 24:19-22) and the New Testament (Acts 6:1-6). Even the first church council convened in part to determine which foods were permissible for Christians to eat (Acts 15:1-21). 

Meals play an important role in God’s design for the world and his people. As we enter a season of the year in which holiday meals play a prominent role in our culture, byFaith is launching a series to remind readers of some of Scripture’s signature meals. 

We have invited church leaders to examine particular moments in Scripture to help us understand what these meals teach us about God and being his people. 

• Nick Batzig, pastor of Church Creek Presbyterian in Charleston, considers how the garden sets a precedent for the rest of the Bible
• Aaron Goldstein, assistant professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary, examines the Passover and the way it defined God’s relationship with Israel. 
• Alex Watlington, senior pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles, walks readers through the feeding of the 5,000 and highlights the spiritual importance of this edible miracle.
• Burk Parsons, senior pastor of St. Andrew’s Chapel outside Orlando, studies the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as the new covenant meal. 
• Trent Casto, senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida, gives us a glimpse into the feast of the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

We hope this series will remind readers of God’s goodness in every meal and encourage us to feed upon the Bread of Life who came to give life to the world (John 6:33).