"Come Take Your Breakfast" - Conclusion

 In the evening, families assembled for the main meal of the day. Describing this meal, the book Poverty and Charity in Roman Palestine, First Three Centuries C.E. says: "Most people at bread or porridges made of barley, various cereals and legumes, or more rarely wheat. They supplemented them usually with salt and oil or olives, occasionally a strong sauce, honey or sweet fruit juices." Milk, cheese, vegetables, and fresh or dried fruits may also have been on the menu. About 30 kinds of vegetables were available at the time-onions, garlic, radishes, carrots, and cabbage to name a few-and more than 25 varieties of fruits, such a (1) figs, (2) dates, and (1) pomegranates, were grown in the area.   

Can you visualize some of these ingredients on the table when Jesus shared an evening meal with Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary? Now imagine the aroma that filled the room as Mary greased Jesus' feet with "genuine nard"-the smell of food mingling with the scent of costly perfumed oil. - JOHN 12:1-3. 

Next time: "What Are We to Eat?" -"When You Spread a Feast"

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