Yesterday, we took a literary glance at the idea of tasting and seeing God. I hope that we had the opportunity to help others taste and see … As I typed, I couldn’t help but notice that we do get to taste and see God literally. So let’s think about that a bit, shall we? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 34:8 NIV
[8] Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Taste and Experience God
In one of Y’shua Jesus’ famed IAM statements in John’s Gospel, He referred to Himself as the ‘Bread of Life’. This conversation resulted from the fish and loaves miracle, as the crowd hoped for unlimited supplies of ‘manna’ or daily bread to meet their material needs. Ironically, their request was not so much tied to need, as it was to their greed and unbelief.
We might be inclined to judge the crowd for their mentality, except that – Y’shua was not their norm. Their expectation of a Messiah was not of one who would live amongst them like ordinary folk. So, they marvelled at His teachings, but … well; let’s just say, there are many more ‘fish and bread’ believers whose need for daily bread (i.e., material necessities) far outweighs their faith in the Bread of Life.
Self-Check
At this moment, how would we describe our faith … fish and bread, little, or great faith?
Deeper Dive
The John 6 pericopae (passages), i.e., both the feeding and the discourse thereafter do point to one way of tasting and seeing God’s goodness. Verses 32-33 invite us to think more critically about how we taste and see our Triune God. Y’shua told those who questioned Him to focus on the Source and not the gift.
But that was the surface response.
He also stated quite clearly: For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Siblings, that bread can only be Y’shua Jesus Himself. He has invited us, you and me, to taste of God each time we share in and partake of the Lord’s Supper, and to remember God’s goodness.
Paul reminds us of this as he guided the Corinthians on sharing the Feast together. Hence, he noted to them in 1 Corinthians 11:24, 26 (NIV)
…and when he [Y’shua] had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” …For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
This takes Taste and See to that other level siblings.
For in eating of Him, we are not only reminded of God’s goodness, but also that Christ will come again. And, when we layer on the Lord’s Prayer, there is scope for us to be Fish and Bread, rather, Bread and Wine believers. In fact, asking for our Daily Bread offers the daily recommended dose of Y’shua for all circumstances!
Hallelujah! What an assurance!
So, get the loaf. Pour the wine/grape juice. Let’s bless it as Y’shua did, and eat … remembering that Christ died; Christ is risen; and, best of all, Christ WILL come again for us all! No matter what we face now, Christ will come again. And until that day, He sent our Advocate, God’s Spirit, to guide and protect us.
Taste and see? I definitely will.
Point to Ponder
What aspect of taste and see is most needed in our lives currently? Feel free to remind ourselves of God’s goodness by celebrating the Lord’s Supper with other believers.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
