Taste and See (#1)

This January, I've started a 'Bible in one year' journalling edition. I don't have the most consistent track record in daily reading, and though I've learned not to bash myself so much over that, I'm well aware that when it comes to physical food, I eat intentionally, multiple times every day and get hungry for the next meal...

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He used Scripture to fight the deception. “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4 NRSV) As we are physically strengthened by a balance of good food and exercise, so we will be spiritually strengthened by receiving from God, and putting our faith into practice.

Of course the Bible isn't the only way that God speaks to us, but it's a very significant way, and one which can provide a plumb line for discerning what is best. Some time ago, I made a batch of homemade coleslaw. It was so good that I made more. Pretty soon, we found that we no longer like ordinary, supermarket coleslaw. Having got used to the good stuff, we can quite literally taste the artificial tainting in what we used to enjoy. I've become a coleslaw snob!! I don't mean to diss your coleslaw, but I do want to train my spiritual tastebuds in a similar way.

So far, I'm absolutely loving the daily reading and doodling. I haven't hit Leviticus yet...but this might be the first of a few posts to share some of what I'm chewing over. I've been really struck by the way the daily portions from Psalms/Proverbs, New and Old Testaments, link together to illuminate particular truths.

 

 

1st January began with, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked...but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2). This opening Psalm contrasts, "the way of the righteous" with, "the way of the wicked," in relation to blessing from God. Right underneath this comes the beginning of the New Testament, with Matthew 1 listing the family line from Abraham (to whom God promised blessing for the world through his family that didn't yet exist) to Jesus (whose name means 'God saves,' the ultimate fulfilment of that promise).

Unusually for a first century genealogy, five women feature. Each of their lives were touched by scandal, sorrow, and/or mistreatment. As I've continued reading, the Old Testament portions also reveal that the behaviour of prominent men in the list definitely wasn't altogether 'righteous.' The blessing of inclusion in God's purposes, then, is not something to qualify for by being squeaky clean! 

God comes to humankind through those who are old and past it, fearful, deceitful, selfish, young, massively disadvantaged, and insignificant in the world's eyes. Why? Because God's promised gift is to be available for all. This God comes through the lowest and least, so that nobody can be disqualified.

Is there, then, a distinctive characteristic of those who 'find favour with God?' Although not spelled out—in the Old Testament narrative, anyway—as I've read, it seems to me that despite all of their dodgy choices, struggles, and human UNrighteousness, they are essentially willing to identify as belonging to this God, and put their lives in God's hands (even when that appears totally crackers). I suppose that's exactly what faith looks like in practice.

It's worth noting, too, that such a position of privilege (which it is!) is for the purpose of blessing others. The one that we serve turns out to be the Servant of all.⬦

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