Please Pass the Barbecue

Chances are, you've probably eaten some form of pork in the last week. It may have been bacon or sausage for breakfast, a ham sandwich for lunch, or even pork chops or barbecue for dinner. In fact, pork is the most eaten meat in the world. But these squealing farm animals have not always held such an honored place at the dinner table. The Israelites wanted nothing to do with pigs! Their laws didn't allow them to eat meat that came from a pig (see Leviticus 11:7-8). In fact, these animals were looked on so unfavorably, they weren't even used as sacrifices.

Jesus once used a story that included pigs. He told of a young man who took his inheritance early, went to the city, and foolishly spent all of his money (Luke 15:11-32). The only job he could find was taking care of a herd of dirty pigs. As he was feeding them, he was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pig slop. The young man then realized how badly he had sinned. He returned home, and his father welcomed him with open arms-the same way God welcomes us today when we repent and obey Him.

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