Today's Reading: 1 Peter 2:2
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 19:1-25, Hebrews 13:1-21
Desire the pure milk of the Word. (1 Peter 2:2)
In the rush to “liberate” women from the burden of infant care a few decades ago, bottled baby formula was advocated by many in this country, and later, in economically undeveloped lands. What medical doctors found was that infants had digestive problems, allergies, and in some cases were even endangered by this poor substitute for mother’s own milk. Furthermore, most mothers report that nursing their infants is one of life’s most satisfying experiences. This is, in part, because infants want what mother has to give. So we are urged to desire what God wants to give us--His pure unadulterated Word. It is good for us, satisfies our deepest needs, and helps us grow into people that God wants us to be.
This Word is God’s message. It is written in the Bible, preached in church, taught in Bible study, reinforced by believers’ witness and example, and treasured in the hearts of all who believe. This message can be summarized in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
Now there are many ways of conveying a message. I could leave a note at your desk (which, if it were like mine, the note would be lost for many a day). I could email you, assuming you check your email. I could text you, assuming you had the right phone. But the strongest possible way for me to give you the message would be for me to see you myself. And if the message was particularly important, say, a proposal of marriage, we would expect nothing less than a face-to-face.
This is God’s message to you. He proposes life together for eternity, and He sent His Son to be that message. “The Word became flesh and lived among us,” says St. John. We are to hunger and thirst for Jesus. Because we do, His Word in the Bible is precious to us and becomes part of us, and points us to God’s message in all His other gifts: baptism, Supper and absolution.
Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I am the Lordyour God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. With honey from the rock I would have satisfied you. (Introit for Easter 2; Psalm 81:1, 7, 10, 16)