Receiving the Word

If you have raised children, the situation will likely have a familiar ring:  trying to convince a skeptical, picky eater they should try unfamiliar food.  "It has everything you like," one might plead.  Others make it into a game, while others use dessert as leverage to convince a stubborn youngster they are better off eating the food presented to them.  There are times where a child's mind is so made up they will not like the food based on the strange appearance or smell, they will make themselves sick.  Or even better, people will say they enjoy food--until they are made aware of an ingredient it contains they do not prefer.  Just the thought of eating meat can make some people physically ill, while others are put off all green food.

Our habits and approaches to eating are amazingly diverse, but the key component all eaters of food share in common is willingness.  Because the muscles controlling swallowing are inside the mouth and throat, the eater has control over what they will eat or drink.  A young child who discovers this can seize an opportunity to impose a power play of control that can potentially divide and drive concerned parents crazy.  While some children play with their food, in contrast there are children who are downright ravenous.  They are happy to eat what is placed before them and are willing to try mixed concoctions that make their parents cringe.  From infancy I have always enjoyed eating food, and willingness to trust and try different things has been rewarding and promotes the health of the body.

The desire and willingness to eat healthy food can be compared with the faith and willingness needed to receive the word of God.  This quality was seen in the Jews in Berea when Paul and Silas went to the synagogue.  Acts 17:11-12 reads, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men."  People went to the synagogue hungry for spiritual nutrition, and notice how they received the word will all readiness, searched the scriptures to confirm the truth of what Paul and Silas said, and as a result believed in Jesus Christ.  Their hearts were prepared and minds open to receive the word of God even from strangers.  The claims of Paul that Jesus is the Messiah looked very different to the standard fare at the synagogue, and after receiving the doctrine went to the scriptures to confirm it.  This readiness to receive resulted in gladness to share the truth with others, for many Jews and Greeks, men and women believed.  All readiness to receive God's word led to the growth and health of the church.

The people of Berea were distinguished from those at Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness, searched the scriptures daily and therefore believed.  Souls are starving and weak for lack of willingness to receive God's word, even among God's people.  It is easy for Christians to rely upon the fast-food of sermons or books when God would have us come to Him with hearts prepared to receive His word.  A balanced and varied diet is important for the health of our bodies, and let us not avoid certain books of the Bible because we do not find them appealing.  Like the people of Berea, may we receive the word with all readiness and open the Bible ourselves.  When we are willing and faithful to do this we will receive abundantly to joyfully share with others.  We can only eat so many fruits and vegetables before they go off so we share a bumper crop with others, and God's word is able to sustain us all body and soul.  Praise the LORD His word endures forever!