out of the ordinary | the food

God frequently works through the ordinary. Through them he shares something of his love for us and reveals elements of his redemption plan. In this devotional series we look at some of the ordinary things Jesus would have encountered as he journeyed towards the cross. Today, sweet treats! Holy Spirit, will you reveal something extraordinary through each of them. Amen.

Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Luke 24:36-43, NKJV

I don’t really get the appeal of Crunchie bars. There’s something deeply synthetic about them which I don’t feel is in any way representative of real honeycomb. Consequently, they lag a long way behind dark chocolate Bounty Bars, chocolate brazils, hazelnut whirls (in fact anything with nuts in!) and wine gums on my (really rather extensive) list of top sweet treats.

I am taken by the idea that Jesus probably would have felt the same as I do, because in this narrative there he is, risen from the dead, munching on real honeycomb.

Across scripture honey is used to signify royalty, abundance, and prosperity, and God’s word is described as being sweeter than honey. Combined in the person of Jesus we recognise all those qualities: he is ultimate royalty - the King of Kings, his extraordinary generosity gives us access to the riches of heaven, he is the Word. There is no name sweeter than Jesus. And he is authentic.

When Jesus says he is the Son of God, he is. When he says he is the giver of eternal life, he is. When he says he is our healer and Saviour, he is. Come to the authentic Jesus, today. You can almost taste his goodness.

Lets pray
Thank you, Lord, that you are good all the time. Thank you that you are the giver of every good gift. I bless you today for all the sweetness in my life: for those I love and who love me, for the community of God's people you have placed me in, for purpose and hope. Most of all I thank you because you are the way the truth and the life and I get to walk with the authentic you every day. Bless you, Jesus. Amen.