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Taste

by Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church
on May 12, 2025

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Taste

Devotional

Day 1: God Knows and Loves You Completely

The Lord knows every detail of your life—your thoughts, your actions, your fears, and your hopes. There is nowhere you can go, no situation you can face, where God is not already present, holding you fast and loving you deeply. Even in moments of uncertainty or transition, you are never alone; God’s presence surrounds you, guiding and comforting you through every chapter of your journey. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, cherished from the very beginning, and nothing can separate you from God’s love. [27:37]

Psalm 139:1-14 (ESV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God is already present and loving you—can you invite God into that space today?

Day 2: Christ Is Revealed in the Breaking of Bread

In moments of ordinary life—like sharing a meal or breaking bread—Christ’s presence can become real and tangible. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus reminds us that even when we are sad, confused, or unable to see clearly, Jesus walks with us. It is often in the simple act of sharing bread, in community and remembrance, that our eyes are opened to the risen Lord’s love and nearness. Every meal can be a reminder that Jesus is with you, turning the ordinary into the sacred. [39:53]

Luke 24:13-35 (ESV)
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection: The next time you share a meal, pause and ask: How might Christ be present with you and those around your table today?

Day 3: Communion Reorients Us Toward God’s Grace

The act of communion is more than a ritual; it is a sacred moment that reorients us, reminding us of God’s grace, forgiveness, and wide welcome. Whether the bread is familiar or strange, delicious or plain, it is in the blessing and breaking that we taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Communion resets our hearts, wakes us up to God’s presence, and draws us into deeper community with one another, reminding us that God’s love includes us all. [45:57]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Reflection: As you approach communion or any shared meal, what distractions or worries can you set aside to make room for God’s grace and presence?

Day 4: Hospitality and Invitation Reveal Christ Among Us

Every table can become a place of transformation when we open ourselves to others—whether we are the ones inviting or being invited. In welcoming strangers, sharing meals, and making room for new faces, we discover the presence of Christ in our midst. The ordinary act of hospitality becomes a sacrament, reminding us that God’s love is wide enough to include everyone and that we are called to extend that welcome to others. [48:42]

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Reflection: Who is someone you can invite to your table or into your circle this week, making space for Christ’s love to be revealed in your hospitality?

Day 5: Be Open to Encountering Christ on the Journey

God often meets us on the meandering roads of life, in moments of uncertainty, transition, or searching for what comes next. When we let go of what the world asks us to hold and open our hands and hearts, we make space for God’s surprising presence. Faith grows as we remain open to the possibility that Christ will meet us, guide us, and fill us with awe and grace—even when we least expect it. [49:55]

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go and make room for God to do something new—can you pray for openness to Christ’s presence on your journey today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering centers on the profound truth that Christ meets us on the road—often in the ordinary, in the breaking of bread, and in the company of others. We began by blessing one another with the peace of Christ, a peace rooted in the assurance of forgiveness and the call to share that peace with those around us. As we celebrated our graduates, we were reminded through Psalm 139 that God’s presence is inescapable—He knows us intimately, walks with us into every new chapter, and surrounds us with a community that loves and supports us, even when we step into the unknown.

The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus became our guide for understanding how Christ reveals himself. These disciples, lost in grief and confusion, failed to recognize Jesus walking beside them until he broke bread with them. In that simple, familiar act, their eyes were opened, and they recognized the risen Lord. This moment of recognition was not just about the bread itself, but about the way Christ uses ordinary things—meals, conversations, community—to make his presence known. The act of breaking bread together, whether at the communion table or around our own dinner tables, becomes a sacred space where Christ is revealed and our hearts are reoriented toward God’s grace and hospitality.

We reflected on how communion is not just a ritual, but a communal act that draws us together and re-centers us on what truly matters: God’s boundless love, forgiveness, and welcome. The bread may differ from place to place, but the invitation remains the same—to come with open hands and hearts, ready to be surprised by grace. As we move into new seasons—whether as graduates, newcomers, or long-time members—we are called to both accept invitations and extend them, trusting that Christ meets us in every encounter. The journey of faith is a meandering walk, not a sprint, and along the way, God continually invites us to taste and see his goodness, to be open to revelation, and to make room for the transforming presence of Christ in our midst.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence Is Unfailing and Intimate Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us completely—our thoughts, our movements, our fears, and our hopes. No matter where we go or what we face, God’s presence surrounds us, guiding and holding us fast. This truth is not just a comfort in times of transition, but a foundation for courage as we step into new chapters of life. We are never alone, for God’s love is always with us. [27:01]
2. Recognition of Christ Often Comes in the Ordinary The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them—a simple, everyday act. It is often in the ordinary moments of life, in shared meals and familiar rituals, that Christ reveals himself to us. We are invited to pay attention to these moments, trusting that God can use the mundane to open our eyes to his presence and love. [33:12]
3. Communion Reorients Us to God’s Grace and Community The act of sharing communion is more than a remembrance; it is a re-centering of our lives around God’s grace, forgiveness, and hospitality. Regardless of the bread’s taste or the setting, the Lord’s Supper draws us into deeper community with God and one another. In this sacred meal, we are reminded of what truly matters and are invited to extend that same welcome to others. [46:17]
4. Openness to Christ’s Revelation Requires Letting Go Christ reveals himself to those who are open—who have let go of what the world demands and are ready to receive what God offers. Faith is not coerced but received by those willing to be surprised by grace. We are called to drop what we are holding, make space for God, and trust that Christ will meet us even on the uncertain, meandering roads of life. [49:40]
5. The Journey of Faith Is Shared and Continually Unfolding Our walk with Christ is not a solitary sprint but a communal, ongoing journey. Along the way, we are both guests and hosts at many tables, invited to share life with strangers and friends alike. In every season, God invites us to taste and see his goodness, to be open to transformation, and to trust that the Lord will keep meeting us on the way, guiding us into the fullness of his kingdom. [50:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:52] - Sharing the Peace of Christ
[23:38] - Announcements and Community Life
[24:30] - Bible and Music Camp Details
[25:07] - Upcoming Events and Prayer Service
[25:41] - Congregational Meeting and Graduate Recognition
[26:26] - Psalm 139: God’s Intimate Knowledge
[27:37] - Affirmation Bags and Blessing for Graduates
[30:59] - Children’s Time: The Meaning of Bread
[33:12] - The Emmaus Story for Kids
[36:20] - Prayer for the Word
[36:42] - Eastertide: A Meandering Walk
[37:29] - Reading: The Road to Emmaus
[40:41] - Communion Memories and Community
[42:52] - The Emmaus Walk: Grief and Recognition
[45:57] - Communion as Reorientation
[47:32] - New Tables and Invitations
[49:03] - Revelation and Openness
[50:15] - Invitation to the Table and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 139:1-14 (selected) — > O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
> You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
> you discern my thoughts from far away.
> ...
> Where can I go from your spirit?
> Or where can I flee from your presence?
> ...
> For it was you who formed my inward parts;
> you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
> I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Luke 24:13-35 (The Road to Emmaus) — > Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus...
> While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him...
> When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight...
> Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 139, what are some of the ways the psalmist describes God’s knowledge and presence in our lives? [26:26]
In the Emmaus story, what kept the disciples from recognizing Jesus as they walked with him? [37:29]
What was the moment when the disciples finally recognized Jesus, and what was he doing at that time? [39:53]
According to the sermon, what is significant about the act of breaking bread together, both in the Emmaus story and in our own lives? [45:57]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God’s presence, as described in Psalm 139, be especially comforting or challenging during times of transition or uncertainty? [27:01]
What does it suggest about Jesus that he chose to reveal himself in an ordinary act like breaking bread, rather than through something dramatic or miraculous? [33:12]
The sermon says that communion is more than a ritual—it reorients us to God’s grace and community. What does it mean for a ritual to “re-center” us, and why might we need that? [46:17]
The sermon mentions that Christ reveals himself to those who are open and willing to let go of what the world demands. What are some things people might need to “drop” in order to make space for God? [49:40]

Application Questions

Psalm 139 says God knows us completely and is always with us. When have you felt God’s presence most clearly in your own life, especially during a big change or new chapter? [27:01]
The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. Are there ordinary moments in your week—like meals, conversations, or routines—where you might start looking for Christ’s presence? What would it look like to pay more attention in those moments? [33:12]
The sermon talks about communion as a time to remember what truly matters: God’s love, forgiveness, and welcome. How can you bring that same spirit of welcome and grace to your own dinner table or gatherings this week? [46:17]
The journey of faith is described as a “meandering walk,” not a sprint. Are you in a season of sprinting, wandering, or waiting right now? How can you invite God to walk with you in this season? [36:42]
The sermon encourages us to both accept invitations and extend them, trusting that Christ meets us in every encounter. Is there someone you could invite into your life or community this week, or an invitation you need to accept? [47:49]
The act of breaking bread together can be a sacred space. Is there a meal or gathering you could make more intentional this week—perhaps by praying, sharing stories, or simply being present with others? [45:57]
The sermon says we need to let go of what the world asks us to hold in order to receive what God offers. What is one thing you feel called to “drop” or set aside this week to make more room for God’s presence? [49:40]