A snack with Jesus

Jesus, help me choose healthy snacks -- and help me get closer to you! Amen.

Some people in Jesus' time fasted (didn't eat for a while) to show their love for God. Jesus didn't ask His followers to do that. People asked, "Why not?" Jesus said, "If you go to a wedding, you don't skip the dinner. You wait till it's over to do your fasting." And having Jesus around was like a party!

Are you a snacker? Some kids don't like to eat big meals, but love to nibble on snacks all day long. If there's an apple or a box of crackers in the kitchen, you'll be grabbing them before long!

Kids who snack are often trying to keep their energy up through the day. Eating something healthy can give you an energy boost to do your homework, keep on playing or finish cleaning your room.

Even Jesus realized that people need energy to get things done. That's why, in this week's Gospel (Mark 2:18-22), He advises them not to skip meals when they're trying to follow Him and concentrate on learning about God.

If you're a snacker, you know that when you get really hungry, you'll probably eat whatever you find first -- even if it's candy or other junk food. Your family probably tries to keep healthy snacks in the house so you don't always eat junk, because eating healthy stuff gives you more energy.

Jesus knew that hungry people only think about food. They get tired and cranky, and start looking for whatever junk is around that they can eat. That's not what He wanted His followers to be thinking about when they were trying to learn from Him!

Jesus didn't ask people to fast, to skip meals. Like any snacker knows, it's important to keep your energy up, whether you're finishing homework or trying to get closer to God!