Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 12Sample

In chapter 10, the angel hands John this open scroll, which was opened by the Lamb, who was slain on the cross, thus inaugurating the kingdom of God. The angel tells John to eat the scroll and then proclaim its message. This is very similar to the prophet Ezekiel, who was handed an open book that tasted as sweet as honey (Eze 3:1-3). In Psalm 19, we read of how the Psalmist finds the Lord’s ways and words sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold (vv. 9-11). The Gospel is sweeter than honey, but the transformation it brings into our lives is often uncomfortable.

Just as the hope that the cross brings is sweet news to us but was difficult to face, the writer of Hebrews says, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross” (12:2). Jesus found great joy in his sacrifice, for He understood what it would bring – the very kingdom of God to us.

You and I, too, can experience much joy in our sacrifice by “eating the Gospel”. Which is to say, we absorb it and allow it to drench our lives and transform it.

My question to you is:

How are you absorbing the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus, and not allowing the sourness of sacrifice to remove the sweet taste of joy that it brings?