The opening of Psalm 22 should sound familiar to you as Jesus uttered these words from the cross. Yet, David wrote these words 1000 years before the Word became flesh and could bear our sins on the tree. Not only are the details in this psalm so vivid that they place us there at Calvary, but Jesus quoting its opening question and God telling us directly in John 19:24 shows us that David indeed wrote about his descendant dying on the cross for us. Continue reading “Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
My Food is …
Many of our New Year’s resolutions have to do with food: the quantity, the quality, or the management of it in the form of exercise. Many make resolutions as well about our spiritual food.
After all, we are what we eat, so be careful what you ingest!
I. John 4:6-38. Jesus starts speaking with the woman at the well in Samaria about physical water and ends up revealing to her that He is the Messiah. As she goes away to tell her friends and neighbors, Jesus’ disciples return with food, only to find that He claims to have food that they know nothing about. That food: doing God’s work and will!
II. John 6:22-69. The crowd that Jesus had fed wanted more physical food so badly they crossed the sea by boat to find Him. Jesus calls them out on their limited diet, challenging them to seek Him the true bread from heaven. He tells them that whoever comes to Him and believes in Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. Like the mother who whisks away the plate of cookies for veggies, Jesus offends many who just wanted more loaves and fishes.
III. 1 Peter 2:1-5. In the same way that we are careful about what we take in physically, counting calories and watching sugars and carbs, we must beware of what we’re ingesting spiritually. The internet, tabloids, and even good meaning family members and friends offer to fill our plates with junk food, but only the Lord is good. We begin as infants on milk but must soon grow up into our salvation eating solid food.
What does your spiritual diet consist of? Even in adulthood, I may not like the vegetables served at dinner, but I’ve come to know that they are for my good to eat them.