BROCCOLI AND ICE CREAM

John Clardy

Proverbs 27:7  The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

A mother was persuading (bribing) her son to eat his broccoli by promising him some ice cream if he would. “Aw Mom,” he asked’  “Why do I even have to eat that ole broccoli?”  “Because,” his mother replied.  “God put lots of vitamins and minerals in it that are good for you.”  “Well,” exclaimed the boy, “God must have never been a kid, cuz if He was He would have put them in the ice cream ‘stead of the broccoli!”

That sums up in a humorous way how we all feel! We would prefer that everything was always as sweet as ice cream! Difficulty and discipline are not palatable to our carnal taste buds. We do not crave the taste of submission or sacrifice. They are bland and often even bitter at times.  There is no spice in faithfulness; there is no seasoning in service.  Yet these things are necessary to our spiritual development and fulfillment.

Some want to come out of the bondage of the world, but they don’t want to forsake the world.  That they would have to give up the things their flesh considers tasty is bitter to them.  They like the idea of salvation, but they want it on their own terms.

When Israel was getting ready to leave their bondage in Egypt and journey to the Promise land, the Lord gave them some specific instructions concerning their last meal.

Exodus 12:8       And they shall eat the flesh (lamb) in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

There were three components to their meal: 

A lamb – a symbol of  salvation from sin (Lamb of God)

Unleavened bread – a symbol of separation from sin

Bitter herbs – a symbol sacrifice because of sin

There are a lot of people that want salvation, they even want to be set free, separated from sin and it’s penalty in their lives, but they don’t want to be reminded of their own responsibility of making the tough decision to leave the world behind no matter how bitter the sacrifice is to their flesh.  But the fact remains, if you want the Lamb, you’ve got to take the bitter herbs with it.

Rom 8:16-18

16         The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17         And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18         For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The wise man said that those who are full of everything this world has to offer will loathe the sweetest promises that God has offered.  But to those who are hungry, those who desperately desire God will gladly count the bitter herbs as sweet, just to get the Lamb!

So the next time God has some broccoli for you just remember that if you partake of it with joy, there is some ice cream on the way.