Spiritual Warfare

Do we complain because we were given vinegar instead of water?

6 min read, approximately

“They also gave me gall for food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psalms 69:21)

“After this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now accomplished, said, so that Scripture would be fulfilled: I am thirsty. A vessel full of vinegar was there; so they soaked a sponge in vinegar, placed it on hyssop, and brought it to his mouth.” (John 19:28-29)

We have all been through situations we would certainly not want to experience again, but it is absurd to think that we will not face more situations like those, or worse ones. But why do you say this? The reason is that Jesus himself said:

“I have spoken these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have affliction; but take courage, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

…“In the world you will have affliction; but take courage”… So what exactly is affliction? According to the dictionary, affliction is a deep feeling of sadness, pain, sorrow, or suffering. But why must we go through this? Because God chose us before the foundation of the world… “Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and without blemish before him, in love having predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:4-5). Because we are children of God… “But to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God;” (John 1:12). But we are in the world… “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from evil. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in your truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:15-18). …So the one who has control over the whole world is… “We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the evil one.” (1 John 5:19). …The evil one, and he will not tolerate our walking in holiness… “For you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). …So he will want to do everything possible… “In them the god of this age blinded the understanding of unbelievers, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine upon them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4). …To make us take our eyes off Christ… “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). And thus slip… “As for me, my feet had almost slipped; my steps had nearly given way.” (Psalms 73:2). Now we understand that we should not be surprised when, as we ask for help during a difficult time, we receive injury or harm instead of help. What do you think?

Psalms 69:21 ‘They also gave me gall for food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.’ “After this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now accomplished, said, so that Scripture would be fulfilled: I am thirsty. A vessel full of vinegar was there; so they soaked a sponge in vinegar, placed it on hyssop, and brought it to his mouth.” (John 19:28-29)

As if that were not enough, after everything Jesus went through, the least one might expect was that they would give him water to drink. Yet they kept offering him vinegar… On 2 occasions!

“And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of the Skull, they gave him vinegar mixed with gall to drink; but after tasting it, he would not drink it.” (Matthew 27:33-34)

“About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? When some of those standing there heard it, they said: This man is calling Elijah. Immediately one of them ran, took a sponge, soaked it in vinegar, placed it on a reed, and gave him a drink.” (Matthew 27:46-48)

…Incredibly, Jesus did not complain! The evil one seeks to produce in us complaining, criticism, grumbling, quarrels, strife, hostility…

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrels, jealousy, anger, strife, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you about them, as I have told you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

…That is right… so that we will not inherit the kingdom of God… Will we play his game? What should we do?

“Do everything without grumbling and strife, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of an evil and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding firmly to the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I may rejoice that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

What else should we do?

“So do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward; for you need patience so that, after doing God’s will, you may obtain the promise. For in just a little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay. But the righteous will live by faith; and if anyone draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in them. But we are not among those who draw back to destruction, but among those who have faith for the preservation of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39)

So… do we complain because we were given vinegar instead of water?

May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
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