Vinegar

Vinegar has been made and used by people for thousands of years. Traces of it have been found in Egyptian urns from around 3000 BC.

In the

Bible , it is mentioned as something not very pleasant ( psalm 69:21, Prov 25:20).

Boaz allows Ruth to "dip her piece of bread in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:14).

While the Nazarites, on the other hand, were not allowed to drink either wine vinegar or malt vinegar.

Jesus was offered vinegar while on the cross according to the King James version of the Bible, yet actually it was sour wine or wine that was off. It was common for this to be given out by women of charity to comfort those dying on the cross.

Whatever it was - it tasted bitter.

Jesus knows the bitter taste.

Christmas points to Jesus

It points to his birth, his life, and the joy of heralding the new kingdom.
But is also envitably points to the cross.
The mention of ol' rugged,
the mention of the pain and suffering,
the mention of atonement for our darkest deeds.
In one sense it tarnishes the moment.
It casts a shadow across the gleeful celebrations.

It leaves a bitter taste.

Bitter like the wine he tasted in his last moments on the cross

But just like the sharp bite of a merlot - the first taste leads on to a fuller experience, a deeper satisfaction and a greater experience of life.

Give a gift of taste...

Today- pass a piece of fudge/ chocolate/ sweet wrapped in a promise from God to someone...

At Christmas- rather then giving an iphone why not bake a cake, create a dish or make Turkish delight for everyone you know...

For Life- Determine to leave a sweet taste in peoples mouths; build up don't pull down, bring out their goodness not their badness, promote their interests not your own interests...