It’s believed that Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This famous quote (or, perhaps, misquote) from the Hellenistic period has been mobilized for a variety of interpretations about the nature and purpose of food, including the moralization of food choices. It’s certainly true that Hippocrates and his followers used diet to treat many illnesses, and this ancient idea has become the idée fixe for alternative medicine today. Though there is a great deal of food-medicine confusion permeating our popular culture, I do think there is something biblical about the idea that food can bring healing – but not in the way Hippocrates supposes.

Throughout Scripture, we see that food serves as a tool to minister to others, to heal aching hearts and feed souls. Jesus often used meals to connect with people and show them the gospel. In the book of Luke alone, there are 10 stories of Jesus dining with various people and, in each, we see a continual call for people to come to the table and feast on who he is. In such gatherings around food, Jesus fulfills the Psalmist’s call to “taste and see that the Lord is good” as he invites friends, outcasts and even enemies to know God’s story of love and salvation.

The Gospel over Food in Luke 14

This is what we see in Luke 14 as Jesus attends a feast at a Pharisee’s house. Here, Jesus is at the house of a very rich and powerful Pharisee. He’s been invited to this Pharisee’s house after the Sabbath synagogue service and, along with Jesus, there are many other Pharisees present. These Pharisees had a special status in society. They were religious teachers and as such were considered holier than the common man. But more importantly, they comprised the socioeconomic elite in their day and these sorts of meals were used to display their wealth and status.

We are not initially told why Jesus is invited. The story focuses instead on how Jesus interacts with every person present. Jesus’ relational engagements are not constrained to socio-economic titles. He does not limit His interactions to the poor and vulnerable. Neither does he solely socialize with the powerful in society. Jesus goes to all peoples. That’s how marvelous our Savior is! He goes to the wealthy and the poor; to the healthy and the sick; to the young and the old; to the moral person and the immoral.

In fact, as the scene unfolds, we see Jesus speaking with the Pharisees, while “a man suffering from abnormal swelling” draws near. This man may be a Pharisee or simply another socioeconomic elite. Whatever the case, this man has a medical condition that today is called edema. Edema is an abnormal accumulation of bodily fluid that causes swelling.In some cases, it can cause an entire body part to become bloated. If not treated, the body part will continue to worsen.

Jesus, however, is not repulsed by this sick man. Rather, he’s drawn to him. He takes hold of the man, heals him, and sends him away. In effect, Jesus conducts his ministry over food. In the middle of a simple dinner gathering, Jesus heals a man with edema, showing a profound way in which meals, service and the gospel can be gracefully interwoven.

Food, Friendship & Healing

This moment in the text reminds me of one of Michelle and I’s favorite films called Chocolat. Set in a tranquil French town in the winter of 1959, the story narrates the mysterious arrival of Vianne and her child and the incredible impact that her Chocolatrie and confections have on the local townsmen and women. One of the first relationships that Vianne makes is with Armande, her elderly, eccentric landlady. Her “icy disposition” slowly melts as they share stories of the past over cups of hot chocolate, and Vianne also plays an important role in reuniting Armande with her grandson, Luc. Vianne later develops a friendship with a troubled woman, Josephine, who is a victim of brutal beatings by her abusive, drunken husband, and learning to work and eat at the Chocolaterie is part of her journey of recovery. Throughout the film, food serves as the key to unlocking friendships, healing wounds and exploring new paths forward.

Perhaps the most dramatic transformation in Chocolat comes near the end of the film through the character arc of the mayor. The Comte Reynauld vehemently opposes Vianne and seeks out a variety of methods to throw her out of town. However, in a moment of despair and desperation, he attacks the Chocolaterie’s front window “Easter” display late one night. But when a piece of chocolate falls on the Comte’s lips, his life is changed forever. The Comte slowly laps up the morsel, confused yet intrigued by this tiny sweet morsel. Overcome with emotion, he then turns ravenously on the display, gorging himself on everything in sight before finally collapsing in tears and exhaustion. One piece of food was able to change his entire outlook, softening his attitude toward new peoples and new palettes.

Jesus’ Ministry of Food

Isn’t this, in a sense, what Jesus is seeking to accomplish in his ministry over food in Luke 14? His ministry is all about healing and restoration. He eats with people, opens their eyes to who he truly is, and this new perspective changes the entire course of their life. Jesus came to bring healing to spiritually and physically broken people. This is what Jesus wants the Pharisees to understand.God’s kingdom is not about merely following rituals and adhering to codes. No; God’s kingdom offers healing and that is the message God’s people must deliver – if possible, while also sharing a meal.

Pastor Johnathan Romig summarizes the message of Jesus in Luke 14 this way: “The banquet is served. You’re invited. Bring an outcast.” If we learn anything from this story it is that God’s kingdom is not just available to the perfect, to the moral, to the righteous, and to the one who has their life together. This is oftentimes the message we unintentionally communicate when we only eat with our family, our loved ones and our friends. If we never eat with the poor, the hurting and the oppressed, we communicate that they are not invited to God’s table. We can and we should go after those whom our society deems unworthy. We can and should interact with those whom we otherwise would call, “the other.” And, when possible, let us invite them into our homes and seek out their healing and restoration around physical and spiritual food.