The Purest Milk

Tenwek hospital is located in Bomet Kenya. Home to the Kipsigis tribe, it draws people from all over Eastern Africa for various surgical needs. On rounds the other morning we were discussing how it can be difficult for families here to understand that sometimes it is actually better for a sick person to NOT eat for a short time for various reasons. For example, before having surgery it is very important that the person NOT eat for several hours so that when they are intubated there is much less risk of complications. Or if they are really really sick sometimes we do not put food into the gut because we want the body to use all its energy to heal or because the gut itself is sick and cannot digest food. In these instances we still give nutrients through an IV but just not through the gut. Culturally here at Tenwek this is hard for families to understand and often they will sneak food to their loved one while in the hospital and staff have to be very diligent to watch and to educate. So, yes, there are certain times where eating is not the best thing for a sick person. But, I think we can all agree, for the most part, that our bodies need food and nutrients in order to heal and that when someone wants more food this is typically a sign they are getting better or growing. Not to mention how we need food for normal daily functions and activities when we are well. 

1 Peter starts out chapter 2 like this, “Therefore laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” There is a lot here but I think you know where I am going. When I am sick with evil desires, or lying or living a hypocritical life the nutrients of the Word of God do not access my heart and help me grow. Here as with any illustration it does break down some because even in sin the Word of God does not return void, so where as food given to someone very sick can sometimes make them worse, the Word of God never has such an effect. But someone who is in sin may need a very broken down form of the Word for a time until they can receive and grow from pure milk. As a Christian, growing in my faith and walking with the Lord means casting off, running away from, and leaving behind sins that hinder me from coming to Him. By the power of the Holy Spirit in us we are to strive to be kind, honest, pure, and content which would be the picture of health in the Christian life. And as this is happening we will have a natural desire and longing for the nutrients of the Word of God. This is how we know that we are growing in our faith. However, this really only occurs in those who have ‘tasted that the Lord is gracious.” This is one way of saying it is only for those who are truly believers. Children of God have been offered the Bread of Life and tasted that He is good and gracious and keep coming back for more! 

Another quick note on this section. I was struck this morning as I thought on the Word of God. This chapter begins with the word ‘therefore.’ And, as my pastor growing up used to say, “when you see a therefore, find out what it is there for.” The therefore to begin chapter 2 references back to the section that ended chapter 1 where Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, “All flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Every time I come to Tenwek I am confronted more often with the reality of death for every one of us. Our lives truly are but a vapor. But the glory of man is also a vapor and will not last. As Solomon says over and over it is all vanity. Our jobs, houses, bank accounts, cars, you name it, all the glory of man is vanity and will pass away to be forgotten. Governments, politics, supreme court decisions, and wars fought and won or lost, all of it is vanity. The ONLY thing that stands the test of time is the Word of God, and how I praise Him for it! With all that is going on in our world today that feels like it is being turned upside down, the Gospel and the Truth remain! I don’t know about you, but especially because of this ( i.e. therefore) I crave the Word of God because I need Truth in the midst of such chaos where people are so confused. And, I crave it because I have tasted, and oh how incredibly sweet and good, gracious, merciful and pure! There is nothing else that satisfies! I pray that if you have not tasted and seen that He is gracious, that He would even now draw you to Himself. And for those of us who have tasted, I pray we would continue to come thirsty to the well of living water and stand firm on the Truth that never fades away and will remain constant and unchanging no matter what happens in this crazy world!