Open wide!

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.                                                        â€” 1 Peter 2:2

Early in the spring, my wife and I watched a fascinating bird show outside our kitchen window. A couple of blackbirds with straw in their beaks entered a small vent in the house next door. A couple of weeks later, to our delight, we saw four baby birds stick their heads out of the vent. Mom and Dad took turns feeding their hungry babies.

Seeing the babies’ wide-open mouths reminded me of how important it is for followers of Christ to eagerly desire spiritual food. In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle Peter uses the analogy of babies longing to be fed: “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” The Greek word translated “desire” speaks of an intense yearning. It is a compound word meaning to “earnestly desire” or to “long after.”

It might seem strange to be commanded to earnestly long for something. But unlike hungry birds and babies, we need to be reminded of our need for spiritual nourishment. Even though we may have fed on the Word in the past (v.3), we need to realize that our need is ongoing and that without more nourishment we will grow spiritually weak. God is eager to feed His dear children. So, open wide!               — Dennis Fisher

My hunger for the truth He satisfies;

Upon the Word, the Living Bread,

I feed:

No parching thirst I know,

because His grace,

A pool of endless depth, supplies

my need.  — Sanders

READ: 1 Peter 2:1-5

Neglecting the Word will famish your soul; meditating on the Word will feed it. 

The Bible in one year:

• John 25-27

• Acts 12