The bacon phenomenon is a perfect storm of internet memes. Bacon meme experts say there is no single point of origination, but in tracking the popularity one is led along a path that includes things like: The Bacon Explosion recipe (a checkerboard of bacon used as a wrapping for sausage and, more bacon); the Atkins diet, which spearheaded the popularity of high-protein diets (read meat); online gift catalogs with bacon-related products including an April Fool’s joke of “Squeez Bacon”; the cult-like popularity of food trucks; appropriating the iconic wavy lines to represent bacon (think hand dryers; press button to receive bacon). Bacon abounds. Of course, in our spiritual heritage, bacon did not abound. It was forbidden. So, consider using the enjoyment of bacon (and all its memes) as a gateway into understanding the relationship between law and grace.
A couple of thoughts on a Bible study about bacon.
What was God’s beef with pork?
Why were some animals declared unclean? Exploring this question gets us to the heart of how a holy God can have a relationship with an unholy people and how that unholy people can be used for God’s holy purposes.
Don’t take bacon lightly.
With apologies to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, bacon grease is not cheap. Just because we can enjoy bacon doesn’t mean we should ignore the Law and take for granted the path to this point of grace. In fact, the Law gives us a frame-by-frame picture of the atonement and righteousness that Jesus achieved for us on the cross. It’s the crucifixion in super slow-mo.
Embrace the grace.
The Apostle Paul used his most emphatic and colorful language to stress the importance of embracing the grace God has shown us through Jesus. To use the Law in any way to gain, or define, a right relationship with God is to nullify what Jesus did for us.
Respect the Law. Embrace the grace. Enjoy the bacon.
Click here to go to the Bacon Bible study page.