BBQ and the Gospel

Much of ministry here does not happen from a pulpit, but around a dinner table.

A few weeks ago, we invited our pagan neighbors to our home for a barbecue. It was meant to be simple, a shared meal and time together. As we sat eating, I noticed something curious. None of them was touching the beef. When I asked about it, they explained that in Taiwan, the cow is revered because for generations it helped families plow the fields and survive. From there, the conversation opened naturally into religious customs, rules, and rituals.

I asked them a simple question. Do the gods you worship care if you worship other gods too? They smiled and said no. They are happy to worship them all. Then I asked another question. Do you think the gods you worship know who you are, or know what concerns weigh on your heart?

It seemed a door had opened to explain the Gospel to them in a way they could understand.

I explained that our Bible is divided into two parts, what we call Testaments or Covenants. These are promises God made with His people. I told them that believing in Jesus Christ is like entering into a marriage covenant. When a man and woman are married, they forsake all others, not out of fear, but out of love. In the same way, when we believe on Christ, we forsake all other gods, because the true God has made a covenant with us through the blood of His Son.

Because the people of Taiwan are familiar with sacrifice, they listened carefully as I explained that Jesus is our final sacrifice. He does not merely cover sin, but cleanses it away completely. He makes His people holy and secure forever. I shared with them the words of the Lord Jesus spoken on the night of His betrayal. “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” To believe in Christ, and to have Him and no other, is hardly a difficult decision when He is the only true God who knows your name and even the number of hairs on your head. We count it a joy and a privilege to share the treasure of the Gospel with those who are hearing it for the very first time.