It was probably only the second time that I had ever stepped foot inside one of these resturants. The air was smokey. The clientel shady. I made my way over to the booth in the corner careful not to touch anything. As I looked over the menu, I was less than thrilled with the choices. I wasn’t hungry for any of the items listed but I was with my parents so I felt that I should at least eat something here instead of walking to the fast food establishment next door. I ended up ordering a simple hamburger. After I ordered, I began to glance around the building looking at the other people there.

I saw an older man sitting at the counter. His face was beaten and weathered by the elements. He looked homeless. I didn’t see him eat but I watched him as he drank his coffee. After a cup or two he lowered his head and walked out into the cold night. As he left, two young women walked in. The had just come from a high school sporting event. Their sweat shirts sported the f-bomb in bold white letters. As they cozied into the booth behind me all eyes were on them. Whispers became audible insults. The girls just laughed and went on about their night. Some high schoolers came in looking for something to eat. They sat down at the counter where the old man had sat. These people were so different from me.

The more and more I watched them the more convinced I became of the new belief stirring in my heart. This belief is a simple and radical idea. It doesn’t sit comfortably with me because it demands a response. A response to the world and to the people sitting around me that night. I am convinced.

Jesus would have eaten at the Waffle House.

He would have. There is no doubt in my mind. Jesus was the kind of Savior that would have cozied up to the counter and had some hashbrowns covered and smothered with some guy who was at the end of his rope. Jesus would have eaten with him, covered the bill, and changed the man’s life. Maybe it would be with the touch of his hand or maybe it would have been with just a look or Jesus might have even spoken a word of encouragement or discipline to the man but the message would be clear.

Yeah, Jesus would have eaten at the Waffle House. What does that say about where we eat and who we eat with?