Uses for vinegar

 

When it comes to spiritual lessons I like those that are based on a general theme, don't you? Lessons that use something of a common nature by which a spiritual connection can be made. You know, like Jesus did when He taught in parables. I like it when the teacher or preacher takes some common, everyday thing and applies it to things seen in God's Word. I'm going to make an attempt to do this today and hopefully it won't be a feeble one. The general theme for today's editorial is "food" or variations of it. Let's see what develops.

My first thought relating to "food" stems from a phrase I happened across a while back in a news item that also speaks to a phenomenon of speech that, in our current age, we call "political speak." The general topic of the news article was regarding "hunger" or the lack of food in a very poor area. However, they didn't use the word "hunger," the author used a phrase of "political speak" that painted a whole different picture of what the situation really was. He referred to this dire situation as "very low food security."

In other words, people are starving to death here but, we don't want to alarm or upset anyone by showing the truth of the matter. "Hunger" and "starvation" just sounds way to harsh so we'll just pretty it up a bit. In the same fashion as when the politicians and the media refer to adulterous affairs as "liaisons." And, when caught red-handed in a lie, they refer to it as "they misspoke."

My spiritual application to this "food item:" I'm convinced that when we have to face our Judge that we'll have to "give an account" of all our words (speech) at that time. (Mt. 12:36) And, even if we try to say that we "misspoke" we will not pull the wool over the Judge's eyes and He'll recognize it for what it was - a lie. Christians are admonished to always speak the truth and not lie. (Eph. 4:25) And using "prettier words" or "political speak" doesn't make it not one.

The next "food item" we'll discuss is "vinegar." Now I know that probably all of us know something about vinegar and about many of it's benefits to man. I'd like to share a little information with you about this "food" that you might not be familiar with and might not have ever considered a particular "Biblical passage" in this light. Let me set the scene for you.

The place is Golgotha or Calvary and Jesus has been nailed to His cross. There were various scoffers present and they, in a "mocking" manner, offered him some "vinegar." (Lk. 23:46) Now, knowing how vinegar tastes, you'd almost immediately think that this was just further torture, wouldn't you? After a little research, I don't think that's the case here. Allow me to explain myself further.

First let me direct your attention to John the 19^th chapter. Just before Christ uttered His final words, in verse 28 He said, "I thirst." Notice what "they" did in verse 29: "they filled a sponge with vinegar" from a nearby vessel full of it, "put it on a hyssop branch, and put it to his mouth." When He had "received the vinegar, He said, 'It is finished', bowed His head and gave up the ghost." (vs 30)

It doesn't identify who "they" were that gave Him the vinegar, but we know that His earthly family and disciples were there at the foot of the cross. It's reasonable to me that it was "they" who gave Him the vinegar. But, what about the Roman soldier we mentioned earlier? I see an interesting connection here between the soldier, the family and the vinegar.

If you do a little historical research you'll find that the soldiers of the Roman army were issued a ration of vinegar (or sour wine) on a daily basis. They used it because it was a better thirst reliever than plain water. Plus it had other health benefits to them. They called it "posca."

Vinegar was known to be used by the Babylonians, the Egyptians and the ancient Chinese. But, as to the family of Jesus, in Bible times, vinegar was used as a flavoring for other foods and as medicine. Take a look at Ruth 2:14 for a scriptural reference to "flavoring" aspects of vinegar. It would have been a very common "food item" in Judea and, considering its thirst-quenching benefits and its general usage among the Jews at that time, I have no problem seeing a "vessel" of vinegar present at the occasion of Christ's crucifixion.

Being now aware of the historical background of vinegar and its benefits/usages, I would offer the thought that the Roman soldier did "mock" Him as He was on the cross by "offering" Jesus vinegar, but not delivering. Sort of waving it in front of Him. But then a short time later, "they" (someone) did give Him some because He was thirsty. I just don't see the "vinegar" as being a part of the torture as we are wont to think. Something to consider, anyway.

Closing "food item" thought. In the grocery business they have a term that identifies certain kinds of food stuffs. These foods are referred to as "perishables." These are foods that need to be bought and used within a relatively short period of time. Another way of saying it is; they are subject to not lasting.

Let me just run with this thought a moment. Isn't everything on this earth, including the earth itself, "perishable?" Isn't everything "not lasting?" And "everything" especially includes us "human beans." And, keeping with the grocery aspect, you might even say that the earth and all therein have a "shelf life" and be correct in saying it. Yes, everything about us and this environment is "perishable."

This got me to thinking about what is NOT "perishable" and after wracking my brain (not much to "wrack" about) I came up with this thought as a closing consideration: when you boil it all down - take it to the lowest, common denominator - there's only two things NOT PERISHABLE. Two things that are PERMANENT or ETERNAL.

        One - heaven and all therein. The inheritance of the righteous. (Rev. 22:3-5)

        Two - hell and all therein. The inheritance of the unrighteous. (Mk. 9:48)

The lesson here: my body is "perishable." My soul is not, therefore my soul will live in one of the two locations shown above. I really don't see much of a choice here, do you? I think my soul will like it much better where there is light, beauty, peace with God and Christ FOREVER rather than living in utter darkness, torture by fire, where the worm never dies, with Satan and his angels FOREVER.

Ron Covey

ADDENDUM: MORE REFERENCE

There are passages in Matt. 27:34 and Mark 15:23 that speak about "vinegar" at the crucifixion of Christ, but for space considerations I used the two in Luke and John. I just wanted you to be aware of Matthew and Mark.