My Cup Runneth Over

 My Cup Runneth Over

I recently heard a preacher on the radio talking about the 23rd Psalm. About the part where it says, "He preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies," he said that was when God was wearing an apron. It made me think of a recent Sunday School class when our teacher taught the class still wearing her apron. She had just finished cooking a delicious, mammoth breakfast for the class.

The minister went on to explain about the origin of the phrase,"My cup runneth over." He said in the Eastern culture of ancient times, whenever anyone knocked on your door in need, you were obligated to feed and entertain them. (The Bible bears this out in several places.) He said that when the householder was ready for the impromptu guest to go at the close of the meal, he would re-fill the visitor's cup, but only half full. It was understood that the visit was over as soon as he finished the drink.

On the other hand, if a rapport had sprung up between host and guest, and the host was reluctant for conversation and fellowship to end, he would fill the glass full to the brim, even to overflowing. The guest knew by this that his presence was welcome and desired. In the same way, God desires us to spend time with Him; He fills our cup to running over.

Many stories came to light after 9/11. One, I remember, was a man telling how, as he descended the staircase in one of the towers, he met firemen coming up. He took note of the first one meeting him with a heavy coil of hose on his back. He said he couldn't forget his eyes. As he thought about it later, after the firemen had lost--no, given their lives, he said he knew he'd been looking into the eyes of Jesus.

As our members serve in teaching, cooking, cleaning, music, praying, witnessing, giving and on and on, I know it is Jesus looking out of their eyes. It's like God wearing an apron.

2Tina Walters and Sandra Adkins