Oh, Taste and See!

"Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2)

Jesus was at the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, watching the high priest as he ceremonially poured out water as an offering to God in remembrance of the Lord’s provision of water and bread to his people when they were in the wilderness. Jesus had something more than physical water in mind, however, when he invited all who were thirsty to come to him and drink. He was inviting all those who were dissatisfied, who had a longing in their hearts for something more, who felt the void within that only God could fill, who were thirsting for meaning in their lives. Then he made a promise that was almost too good to be true: “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” No wonder some of the people who heard him said, “He’s the Prophet,” while others said, “He’s the Messiah.”

Unfortunately, some folks don’t want to respond to Jesus’ invitation, because they don’t want to admit they’re empty. The root cause is often our resistance to admit and confess our sins. Jesus came as a Savior from sin. Many want the peace and joy that is eluding them, but it must be on their terms. But when we humble ourselves and come with childlike trust in Jesus, we will always experience the peace and joy he promised.

Some might say it’s religious fanaticism to talk this way. To those, I would say, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!” That’s what millions and millions of people have done over the centuries: they were empty, and they put their trust in Jesus and had their lives changed. Was that all an accident? Nobody talked them into it; nobody deceived them. They didn’t go into years of training and brainwashing as a person would in a cult. No, when you have Jesus, you find out: “This is what I was made for.” The Old Testament puts it this way: "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). Only Jesus can satisfy our souls.

To be continued...