the presence of God, the process of healing,
Disappointments, hurts and problems all cause pain, but to each of them, there is a solution. If the right solution is found, then that brings the end (completion) to that issue. What happens many times though, is that the right solution requires more work, and this, unfortunately, influences us to seek an easier solution, which many times leads us to a never-ending cycle of despair.
Back in the times of the Romans, when prisoners would be crucified, they would be offered a drink consisting of vinegar and other herbs to ease the pain felt during the process. And among the many uses of vinegar, some of them consist of helping stop infections and to speed the process of healing, causing someone to feel less pain.
When the Lord Jesus was crucified, He was offered a drink of vinegar mixed with gall, but He refused to drink it (Matt. 27:34). It’s as if He understood His mission wasn’t finished until He gave the last breath. He first needed to drink the ‘cup of wrath’ for our redemption. Drinking the cup of vinegar could perhaps have interfered somehow in the completion of His mission.
Only after being on the cross for a few hours and knowing His Spirit was about to leave His body, thus completing His mission, He decided to accept the vinegar.
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)
He did this so the scriptures in Psalms 69:21 would be fulfilled. “They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
The Last words of the Lord Jesus on the cross were “It is finished.” He accepted the vinegar once He knew “that everything had now been finished.” It was a symbol of the completion of His mission.
In the same manner, this Friday we will continue the purpose of the ‘7 Fridays of the Blessed Rose’ where we invite you to bring a rose to receive a drop of vinegar on it, determining that all unending problems will come to an end and that the presence of God will inhabit your home. Decide to join us in the faith that God can put an end to your problem and say, “It is finished.”
Please come wearing your face covering and follow all social distancing guidelines. For more information, call our 24-hour Helpline on 020 7686 6000.
Meeting: 7 Fridays of the Blessed Rose at the Spiritual Cleansing meeting
Day and time: Fridays at 7.30pm (also at 7am, 10am and 3pm)
Location: Your local UCKG branch
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