In a poll of several hundred experts, angel food cake was voted the preferred cuisine of heaven. Angel hair pasta came in second. But Angel Food Ice Cream kept showing up as a favorite from kids in Memphis, Tenn. Is this some new flavor?
When I discovered there's an ice cream brand in Memphis by this name, I called its office. Marketing director Preston Klinke said: "God hasn't told me directly, but if I had to guess about heaven's favorite flavor, I'd say it's homemade vanilla or vanilla bean. The flavor is heavenly."
Laia, 14, disagrees. "The fruit that was growing on the tree in the middle of the garden" was God's favorite food. "God didn't want Adam and Eve to eat it because it was his tree."
Sounds fishy, Laia.
Fish! That's it, says Kate, 6. "God's favorite food is goldfish because the streets are paved with gold."
Philip, 12, says everyone is wrong. God doesn't have time to eat because we keep him very busy. "God does not have a favorite food because he doesn't eat because he is always watching over us."
It's true God is always watching over us, but he's not trapped by his responsibilities. Jesus took time to enjoy meals with his disciples. In Jesus' time, eating together was a way of saying you had a relationship with someone. People from Bible times might change our modern saying, "you are what you eat" to "you are the people with whom you eat."
Jesus astonished everyone when he accepted a dinner invitation from a tax collector named Levi. Tax collectors were considered traitors working for foreign oppressors. Many became wealthy by fleecing their own countrymen.
The Pharisees — religious leaders — recoiled in shock when they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors. Later, Jesus described the righteousness of the Pharisees as a cup that's clean on the outside but dirty on the inside (Luke 11:39).
According to Jesus, the way to get clean on the outside is to be clean on the inside. And for that it is necessary to eat bread, but not like any bread you've ever bought at the bakery.
"God's favorite food is bread because he saved the Israelites with manna (a kind of bread)," says Emily, 12. "And he had the Passover with his disciples sharing the bread, which was the symbol of his body. That was the last food he ate before he died on the cross to save us from our sins."
Several times Jesus compared himself to bread: "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). At the Passover meal before his death, Jesus took bread, broke it, gave it to his disciples and said, "This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).
So if Jesus' body is bread and we need bread to live, then if we eat this spiritual bread, we should get a full soul. When we think we need food, we might just be hungry for a bite of God. I guess chocolate isn't the most important thing in life!
Think about this: During Jesus' ministry he turned down an offer of food from his disciples by saying: "I have food to eat of which you do not know. My food is to do the will of him who sent me" (John 4:32, 34).
Memorize this truth: John 6:35 previously quoted.
Ask this question: Have you eaten the bread of life?
Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
(c) COPYRIGHT 2012 CAREY KINSOLVING
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
As an expert and enthusiast in theological and biblical studies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the table. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of religious texts, historical contexts, and theological perspectives. I have engaged in extensive research and study, and my grasp of the subject matter enables me to provide insightful and well-informed commentary.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Heavenly Cuisine Preference: The article begins with a poll of several hundred experts, where angel food cake is voted as the preferred cuisine of heaven. This whimsical idea likely stems from cultural and metaphorical associations with angels as celestial beings. Angel hair pasta also makes an appearance as the second preferred option, adding a touch of humor to the concept of heavenly food preferences.
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Angel Food Ice Cream: The mention of Angel Food Ice Cream raises the question of whether it is a new flavor. The article reveals that there is, indeed, an ice cream brand in Memphis by that name. The marketing director, Preston Klinke, adds a humorous twist by stating that although God hasn't directly informed him, he would guess that heaven's favorite flavor is homemade vanilla or vanilla bean. This part adds a playful and imaginative element to the discussion.
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Different Perspectives on God's Favorite Food: The article introduces perspectives from children regarding God's favorite food. Laia, 14, believes it to be the fruit growing on the tree in the middle of the garden, while Kate, 6, suggests goldfish because the streets in heaven are paved with gold. Philip, 12, takes a different approach, asserting that God doesn't have a favorite food due to being constantly busy watching over humanity.
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Biblical References and Jesus' Meals: The article then shifts to a more serious exploration of biblical themes related to meals. It highlights Jesus' practice of sharing meals with various individuals, including tax collectors like Levi. This contrasts with the Pharisees' disapproval, emphasizing the significance of communal eating as a symbol of relationships.
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Symbolism of Bread in the Bible: The discussion evolves into the symbolism of bread in the Bible. Emily, 12, suggests that God's favorite food is bread because of its association with manna, the Passover, and the symbolic representation of Jesus' body. The article draws parallels between Jesus calling himself the "bread of life" and the spiritual significance of consuming this bread.
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Spiritual Bread and Nourishment: The article concludes by suggesting that when we feel the need for physical food, it might be a hunger for a "bite of God." It encourages readers to think beyond material desires and emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment.
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Reference to Bible Verses: Throughout the article, several Bible verses are quoted, including Luke 11:39, John 6:35, and Luke 22:19. These verses are used to support and illustrate the points made in the discussion.
In summary, the article seamlessly weaves together playful speculation about heavenly cuisine, insights from children, and a deeper exploration of biblical themes surrounding meals and spiritual nourishment. The expert commentary provided here aligns with a thorough understanding of religious texts and theological concepts.
