Jesus was teaching in the temple area each day, even at the risk of His life (Lk 19:47). The people found His teaching sweet to their taste (see Rv 10:9-10). They were hanging on His words (Lk 19:48); to them, His words tasted sweeter than honey from the comb (Ps 119:103).
The fact that the people were hanging on Jesus' words basically guaranteed that Jesus would likewise soon be hanging, nailed to a cross. If the people did not pay attention to Jesus' teaching, the chief priests and scribes and the leaders of the people (Lk 19:47) would not have been jealous of Jesus and would possibly have left Him alone.
This is the consequence of the sweetness of the Word of God: it will turn sour in the stomach of those who proclaim it (Rv 10:9) — the sour taste of persecution that comes with being faithful to sharing the Word of God (Ez 3:1-4; Rv 10:9-10). Nevertheless, hang on to the promises of God. Feed God's people by teaching them His Word (Jn 21:15-17).
| PRAYER: | Father, I will consume the scroll of Your Word. Make me a servant of Your Word, no matter the cost. |
| PROMISE: | "The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces." –Ps 119:72 |
| PRAISE: | "The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces." –Ps 119:72 |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College