A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge with sour wine on hyssop branch and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the spirit. John 19:29-30
A friend lost her mom last week. Another friend lost her dream home and I am fretting because my child is struggling to read. Balance and perspective go hand in hand. A little more understanding of the acid in my heart and life is needed. Wisdom over knowledge. Self-control over vengeance. Prayer over action.
According Samin Nosrat, author of SALT, FAT, ACID and HEAT cookbook, acid creates a balance of flavors. On it’s own it is very sour or bitter, but when combined with other ingredients it heightens the flavor. In a person’s life acid leads to a bitterness in the soul. Someone who is resentful or angry. Acidic circumstances or people can have dominion over my soul if I allow them. Acidic thoughts can turn into powerfully negative actions and regret. At times, I forget that only with God’s love and wisdom, I can have purity in mind, body and soul.
In the bitter soul, acid brings to light the need for healing and forgiveness. The toxic flavor of acid in the soul yearns for the freshness of forgiveness that only Christ provides on the cross. This verse symbolizes and reminds me, that he chose the bitterness of death and the sour wine not to refresh but to confirm powerfully once and for all that the sting of death is no longer bitter for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus took upon himself the “sourness” in my soul and poured out the purity of His life for the “acid” in mine. Jesus provides the tasteful balance this acidic world needs. New wine over sour wine. New vineyards for sour grapes. Balance comes when I allow the Spirit of God to help me understand God’s rich love for me and the fruit it can produce in my life.
Acidic No More
Bitterness to Balance. New Wine over Sour Wine. Atonement for Acid.
What bitterness lies within me?