It was Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame who based his hamburger on one simple
principal, “the two best bites of a hamburger should be the first and the last.”
The first to make you glad you came and want more, the last to make you come
back again.” A very basic philosophy that worked and works today. But the
world of fast food burgers has changed over the years, and where once it was
fast and cheap, fast food must be fast to be profitable, now it is designer
burgers from Angus beef to the trendy crowd. How different from the highest fat
content meat sold by Wendy’s, per my friend who used to sell meat to them. Hot
and juicy is nothing more than fat, as opposed to today’s lean and mean burger.
I rarely if ever eat a fast food burger, but after watching a show about the
food that made America, and the last part of how McDonald’s influenced America,
I stopped and saw Mickey, the one not at Disneyland. What was I
thinking.......
McDonald’s has changed over the years, its main attraction being fast food
and consistent quality. But today it is trying to stay alive and reinventing
itself via McCafe’s, and burgers to order. A place where once we used to hang
out, today I found it almost sanitary with no personality. The menu placed on
large TV screens, changing every few seconds, timed just so you could find what
you were looking for, then changing. I finally decided on a #9, two
cheeseburgers, fries, and a Soda, total price when paid $5.92. Delivered to my
table. All carried out by lifeless employees, and the food was no better. I
used to love the fries, not much flavor now. Two thrown together cheese
burgers, more mustard taste than anything, and a Diet Coke. And I hoped no one
saw me here, for how far McDonald’s had fallen. No happy in the meal here, and
the one product that made them famous not even on the menu, the hamburger! A
last bite that I will remember, as I will never return. Stay tuned for the last
bites and last rites at McDonald’s. McDisaster, supersized. And no, I don’t
want fries with that!
Scripture tells us we are to put on the new self we find in Jesus Christ,
to be more like him and less like us. It is called growth, and handled by none
other than the holy spirit himself. A continual process, taking us from baby
food to solid food as Paul calls it. In an ever changing world the one constant
needs to be Jesus, How many remember our first bite of him, the taste of freedom
and of being forgiven of our sins. Basic gospel done very simply. Not fast
food religion, nor stylish designer burgers, it was what he knows we needed, and
we ate willingly and a lot. Fed and nourished by the spirit, we all grew, but
at different rates. With some going from church to church looking for that
special need to be fulfilled, while others sat and complained about how and what
they were being fed. Never growing, never eating from the vine of Christ, they
hunger and thirst for the things of God, but not God himself. And so through
religion, the denominations try to persuade you that their version is the best,
try us and be filled. But religion is not filling, and leaves you hungry, with
denominational hassles being listed as the number one reason people leave
churches today. Yet while churches are disappearing at an alarming rate, new
ones pop up, claiming to do it better. The bigger the better, and the sad thing
is too many Christians whole experience with Jesus is based on churches, or
looking for the one they feel comfortable in. A Goldilocks take on the gospel,
too much music, too legalistic, too much teaching, but never complaining about
to much Jesus, or his love. Some claim to have it his way, but really only want
their way. Supersized in everything but the spirit. Looking for that last
bite, and looking for a chance to get up and go somewhere else, or not go at
all.
Fast food, quickie nirvana, and instant gratification, we don’t have time
for Jesus. Five minutes, then off with cell phone in ear, to next appointment.
Never taking the time to ask “where is Jesus is their life?” Maybe something we
should stop and ask ourselves right now. Is he the fast food God of today with
no thought for tomorrow, is he even on your menu? When is the last time you and
he spent some time together, that precious first bite, and hesitated on taking
the last bite because you didn’t want it to end? Some take that last bite, and
cannot wait for the time with him again, while others are being given last
rites, their relationship with him dead, or on life support. Running out of
churches, philosophies, and clubs to attend, they at last come face to face with
Jesus and must make a decision. Looking for a Jesus who will not be found in
religion or in religious people, remember it was the Pharisees who tried to trap
him. He comes to set us free.
So just as the burger wars are out for your dollar, Satan is out for
your soul. He is happy to be that last bite you take into eternity, but Jesus’
offer still stands. Come to him and hunger and thirst no more, be assured that
when you take that last bite, where you will spend eternity. We may compromise
on our eating, don’t on your relationship with God. The last rites of
McDonald’s may be already be being administered, the signs are there, what about
you? Are you ready to take that last bite, are you ready if today is the day of
last rites? Go beyond church, go beyond religion and denominations, go with
Jesus. And be sure. And for those of you still looking for that first bite,
you are welcome where and as you are. Skip the drive up and go right to the
front of the line. Society changes and wants to change us with it, ever notice
how Kentucky Fried Chicken is now just KFC? Or Sugar Frosted Flakes now just
frosted? Jesus never changes, but we do and can in him. As for me, I’m ready
to take that last bite, but for now, I can smell the In and Out burgers. In
Jesus and out of hell, who you eat with and where you eat makes all the
difference.
Even the disciples didn’t know the last supper would be their last one with
Jesus.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com