“ . . . he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread . . .”

The Gospels often portray Jesus seated around a dinner table, using those intimate, relaxed occasions as teachable moments. What lessons can we learn from the way in which Jesus ate?

The dietary codes of the Old Testament were designed to ensure a healthy lifestyle. So Jesus would have eaten whole grain breads, fresh fish, red wine, fruits and vegetables, eggs, pure olive oil, yogurt, milk and honey. Lamb, beef and chicken would have been eaten sparingly.

There were no genetically engineered hybrid vegetables; no artificial food dyes; no fillers; no growth hormones or antibiotics in the cattle. The vegetables were organically grown; the livestock were range-grazed.

In Jesus day, the daily diet amounted to about 1,830 calories for men and 1,460 calories for women. Today, the average American diet adds up to 2,455 calories for a man and 1,646 calories for a woman. Much of the added calories are as empty as the whole in the middle of a glazed donut.

Jesus would have participated in the seven Jewish feast that occurred throughout the year. He would have eaten at a leisurely pace, reclining at table, engaging in lively conversation with His friends and hosts. There was no such thing as fast food; nor were there drive-up or take-out windows. Meals were a time for sharing in the bounty of the Lord.

As a devout Jew, Jesus also participated in the six public fast days that occurred throughout the year as well as His own private fasts. For example, He prepared for His public ministry by fasting for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness.

Jesus also rested on the Sabbath as He did in today’s Gospel. And He found time in His busy life for solitude and prayer. Jesus led a balanced life.