What’s
in a Meal? Flipping the Script on Food & Redemption
You’ll
never eat food the same way again.
That
might sound dramatic, but I mean it. I’ve been on a quiet, curious journey
lately, asking God to help me see everyday life through the lens of His
redemptive love. And somehow, He keeps flipping the most ordinary
experiences—like eating—into extraordinary revelations of grace.
Let’s
start with something close to home: Sunday rice and stew.
If
you grew up in an African household, you probably already smiled when you read
that. There’s just something sacred about Sunday rice and stew. Funny thing is,
rice and stew wasn’t exclusive to Sundays. We ate it during the week too. But
somehow, Sunday rice and stew had its own atmosphere. A
different kind of flavor. A ceremonial feel. Maybe it was the quiet reverence
after church or just the comfort of being gathered as a family. But for me, it
wasn’t even about the day. Or the meal itself.
It
was who cooked it: my mum. And I still believe she’s
the best chef in the world. (Mummy, I hope you read this. I miss your meals.)
That’s
where this reflection begins. With warm meals, family tables, home-cooked love…
and the Gospel. Because I believe this with all my heart: Every meal is telling
a story about Christ.
Creation
Speaks: Food Tells the Gospel
We’re
surrounded by parables. Clues. Echoes. Earthly things that whisper of heavenly
truths.
And
food? It tells one of the clearest stories of all.
Think
about it: the fall of mankind happened through eating. Adam and Eve
ate what they weren’t meant to eat (Genesis 3:6). It wasn’t just about the
fruit—it was about disobedience and misplaced desire. But catch this: if the
fall happened through eating, how poetic and powerful is it
that redemption also comes through eating?
“Take,
eat; this is My body which is broken for you...” —1 Corinthians 11:24
“Unless
you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in
you.” —John 6:53
We
feed on Christ by faith. We receive life through His death. We eat and live.
So
yes—God places a premium on what we eat. Not just physically, but
spiritually.
Plants
& Animals: Parables on Your Plate
The
two broad categories of food—plant-based and animal-based—both preach the same
message: something must die for you to live.
Let’s
start with the seed:
“Unless
a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it
dies, it produces much grain.” —John
12:24
That’s
not just agriculture; that’s theology. That seed is a picture of Christ, who
died, was buried, and rose to bring forth new life.
Now
think of the animals we eat—meat, fish, poultry. Something gave its life to
nourish yours. Again, a picture of Christ, our Passover Lamb:
“For
indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” —1 Corinthians 5:7
Every
protein on your plate tells the story of substitutionary sacrifice. And
just like the sacrifices of the Old Testament, it all points to Jesus.
Even
wine—made from crushed grapes—points to His blood, poured out in love as
He was crushed for us:
“This
cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” —Luke 22:20
The
Cooking Process: A Picture of the Cross
Have
you ever noticed how aroma is unlocked by heat?
Raw
ingredients don’t smell the way cooked meals do. That comforting fragrance that
fills your home when something’s simmering on the stove? It only comes after
fire has done its work.
That
fire is a picture of God’s judgment that we deserved for all our sins. And
Jesus endured it for us.
“The
Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” —Isaiah
53:6
“It
pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.” —Isaiah 53:10
And
just like in the Old Testament:
“And
the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord.” —Leviticus 1:9
That
offering was roasted. Fire fell. And the smell? A sweet-smelling savor to God.
Christ
was that offering. The perfect aroma of obedience and love that rose
from the flames of judgment, even as He bore our sins.
When
you cook a meal—when you boil, roast, bake, grill, fry—it’s not just culinary;
it’s theological. The ingredients + the heat = a picture of redemptive
transformation.
The
Feast After the Fire
Here’s
something even more beautiful: in some Old Testament offerings, after the
animal was sacrificed and cooked, the person got to eat it.
"This
is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall offer to the
Lord: ‘The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall
be eaten the same day it is offered..." —Leviticus
7:11,15
"There
you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave
offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the
firstborn of your herds and flocks. And there you shall eat before the Lord
your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and
your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you." —Deuteronomy 12:6-7
Imagine
that. You get to feast on the very sacrifice that made peace with
God. That’s communion. That’s the table of grace. That’s the theology of warm
cooked meals.
The
Kitchen is the Heart
I
once heard someone say, “The kitchen is the heart of the home.” It
stuck with me. Because if a home has a heart, and that heart feeds others,
isn’t that what Christ does for us?
“I
am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger.” —John 6:35
He
doesn’t just forgive us; He feeds us. He satisfies our soul hunger.
And every good, warm, nourishing meal you eat is a little reminder of that.
Even
when I’m craving my favorite dish and waiting for it to be ready, I realize:
the anticipation, the joy, the comfort—it mirrors how our souls long for Christ
and are satisfied in Him. Enjoy Him, receive His grace.
Flip
the Script: What’s in a Meal?
So,
what’s in a meal?
A
whole Gospel story.
The
crushed grain and grapes. The slain lamb. The heat that cooks it all. The sweet
aroma. The nourishment. The communion. The joy.
It’s
all telling the story of a Savior who gave Himself for us—so we could live.
“For
of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” —Romans 11:36
“All
things were created through Him and for Him.” —Colossians
1:16
So
next time you sit down to eat your favorite warm meal, think of Jesus.
Creation
points to redemption. Every meal is a memory of the cross.
And
truly—you’ll never eat food the same way again.
PS:
My reflections on the redemptive perspective of food are inspired by Pastor
Joseph Prince. He has taught extensively about this and you can find out more
about him and his teaching resources here.
Not
yet in the fam?
God
is a good Father who loves you so much and wants you to be part of His family
as His child. He offered His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pursue your heart and
save you and bring you into the family. All you need to do is to receive His
love and you can live in it and enjoy it for the rest of your life. Will you
receive it? Then please say this prayer:
Father in Heaven, I thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to save me from my sins and give me eternal life. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins, He was buried and on the third day, He rose again, to make me right with you. I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour. I thank you that I am now saved and I'm a member of your family. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to know You more. In Jesus' name, amen.
Welcome!
If you said this prayer for the first time, you're now a child of God and I am excited that you are my sibling in Christ. Welcome!!! 🥳There's a whole party going on in Heaven right now, on your behalf, like the excitement over a newborn baby. Will you please reach out to me and let me bless you with a resource that will help you get started on your journey of faith? Click here to do so. I love you and can't wait to meet you.
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