Is it a sin to be fat? Well, if it a sin to be fat, then a majority of us are not doing very well. However, is there a difference in being fat and being a glutton? Yes, there are many heath issues today which cause weight gain from Thyroid issues and a slow metabolism, to allergies and dietary issues. When we speak against gluttony, sometimes we are speaking against being excessively overweight. However, when the two are equated then we leave out the sin which is a gluttonous life filled with habitual greed which leave your neighbor in need. 

The real sin of gluttony is the reality that the gluttonous person feeds themselves excessively, while ignoring the needs that there neighbor has. Gluttony is not about food alone, but about greed for the things of this world at the expense of your neighbor. This breaks the 7th commandment which says, "You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income." What does this mean? It means that in everything we are always looking out for the welfare of our neighbor. We live our relationship with food, drink, and money, always in how is it best used to serve and love our neighbor.

Can you be a glutton and not be fat? Of course you can, and that is the danger when making gluttony and obesity the same thing. Imagine someone goes to the store, the most expensive grocery, and buy more than you are ever going to eat. What happens to all that food that goes bad? Is it given to the poor? No, but instead finds its way into the trash can. Or, what about this. Have you ever looked into a filled fridge and an overflowing cupboard and said, "There's nothing to eat. Let's go out." Or think about this, when you pick a store to shop at, do you pick the one that is the most affordable, not to save yourself a dime, but in order that you can use the money you save on things for your neighbor. We all are gluttons. Yes, we are all overweight individuals who care about themselves more than their neighbor.  May the Holy Spirit grant us faith that we may see our gluttony, no matter how large or thin our waistline. 

Did Jesus die on the cross for gluttons? Remember, there is not one sin that Jesus did not die for on the cross for you. Does this include gluttony? Does this include our love of food? Does this include our love of self and neglect of the poor in the land at the expense of us having better and more food and drink? Yes, Jesus died on the cross for gluttons like us. Yes, Jesus became a fat God on the cross for us. He was fattened up like a sacrificial calf with our sins in order that He could lay it all down for us that we may live. Yes, on the cross, Jesus did not concern Himself with His own well-being, but instead cared only for the well-being of His neighbor, which is you and me. Yes, on the cross, Jesus was not guided by selfish and gluttonous greed, but rather was moved with gut-wrenching compassion to bear our sin and be our Savior. Yes, on the cross, Jesus died for gluttons like us.

What does this mean? It means that Jesus put to death our gluttonous desires that they may burden us no more. Jesus died to take away the greed, the weight gains, and the heart burn. Does this mean that Jesus is out diet plan? Well yes. Remember your table blessing. "The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord, and You givest them their meat in due season. You open Your hand and desire of every living thing. Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen." Jesus does not count our Macros, but instead gives us a new mindset when it comes to eating and drinking. All things, because we are forgiven our sins and freed in Christ, are now in service to our neighbor. We are freed from enjoying being a glutton. We are freed from our idolatry of food. 

Does this mean that we will always live this way and never fail. No. Jesus died on the cross for failed saints. He died for us because we fail at keeping the law and delighting in its precepts. Jesus became our gluttonous desires on the cross, and there stood in our stead and suffered the full wrath of the Father against our greedy hearts. Yes, Jesus suffered, and on the third day rose for our justification. Yes, all authority and in heaven and on earth is Jesus', and He uses that authority, not to condemn us for our addictions to food, but rather to forgive us and create in us new hearts that delight instead in the Bread of immortality. Jesus does not ignore your need to be forgiven and freed from the bondage to a gluttonous life. Yes, Jesus not only forgives you, but strengthens you with His grace and mercy. Yes, He gives you forgiveness you do not deserve, and protects you from those things that would bring you harm. 

Does this mean then that we never feast? That we never enjoy ourselves with food in abundance? Of course not. But, what it does mean is that food is used in that context to celebrate with our neighbor. Let us always see food as that blessing from God to nourish our body in order that we may love our neighbor. Yes, we fast. Yes, we feast. Yes, we eat oatmeal one morning, and the next have a Denver Omelette. What does this mean? It means that we don't focus on the need and excess of food, but instead keep our eyes and hearts on Jesus and the poor in order that we may be free to enjoy the gifts that Jesus gives, both of daily bread and the food of immortality. 

Let us take heart that Jesus is our Fat Savior who died on the cross, fattened up with our sins. He died for them all. This means that we are forgiven when we fail, and strengthened and nourished to continue our struggle with sin, death, and the devil who want to tear us away from God and His Word. May we take heart in knowing that in our struggles, Jesus knows them, He knows our weaknesses, and He forgives us along the way that we may not lose heart, but rest assured that we poor sinners are taken care of by our benevolent and generous Lord Jesus.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam drowned anew so that you may hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen. 

Jesus' Sheepdog