Bitterness

This past Sunday, during the Lord’s Supper, the fruit of the vine got to me and I drank it. It was extremely bitter; even though it was a very small amount, I’m glad I didn’t know anyone around me because those people may have seen me make a face. Anyway, this made me think of Jesus being given bitter wine to drink while He was on the cross. After He had tasted it, He refused to drink any more.

Bitterness is not just a taste, however. It is an attitude, usually caused by unfair treatment. Jesus was treated more unfairly than any of us ever have been. The Son of God, sinless, was beaten, mocked, and crucified, but even through this, He was not bitter. He could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him from all of that, but He set an example for us even in all of this. He prayed and followed God’s will, not because He would benefit from it, but so that we could.

Philippians 2 is one of my favorite chapters. It starts out by telling the reader to have the same attitude which Jesus had on the cross, but later in verses 14-18, it says “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

In this, Paul says not to complain or argue, in other words, not to be bitter. I like the verses that follow, too, because Paul talks about “being poured out like a drink offering.” If we were poured out like a drink offering, would Jesus want to drink? Or, would He refuse because we are bitter like the wine He was given on the cross? Would other people want to drink? This is something I want us all to think about this Thanksgiving. Let’s let go of the bitterness so that we can truly give thanks to God for all the many blessings we have recieved. Please watch for a continuation of this post, entitled Thanksgiving, tomorrow.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32