The past four weeks of Bible study at The Table we’ve worked our way through the bittersweet moments. We’ve talked about reclaiming what’s been lost or taken, what it means to claim the bittersweet, comfort in bitter moments in Jesus and others, and lastly, in the shadow of Easter, talked about his sacrifice, giving us the ultimate “sweet” in our bitter times.

On our last night together I was reduced to tears as a dear friend, Lindsey Turner, brought a birthday cake after reading my blog about the birthday I won’t celebrate over the son I lost. It was just a mirror to what our hearts would chew on over the course of the evening. We talked about the Passover, its significance- highlighting the symbolism of the matzah bread and bitter herbs, which reminded the people of God of their enslavement in Egypt, their suffering and pain at the hands of Pharaoh, their sin and need for a Savior. Then the matzah, the unleavened bread representing a sinless life to be sacrificed.

Even the Passover is a reminder that bitter and sweet often come hand in hand. It’s no different in our lives as bitter moments will always find us. John 16:33 reminds us that in this world we will always have trouble but to take heart, for he has overcome the world.

We moved on to the four cups of wine at the Passover:

Cup of Santification. It symbolized Israel’s deliverance from being under the burdens of the Egyptians. 

Cup of Deliverance. It symbolized Israel’s deliverance from their bondage. 

Cup of Redemption. It symbolized God’s promise to redeem Israel from with an outstretched arm.

Cup of Praise. It symbolized the fact that God took the Israelites to be His people.

As we walked through each of these, our sweet song leader shared what Jesus has revealed through her own sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and praise. She opened with timely truth, sharing, “their is no fellowship of his glory without the fellowship of his suffering.” To know his praise, to know his nature there must be a reason why, there must be something that has driven us to a place of knowing, seeking his face. She shared her story of loss, love, and hope rooted in Jesus, our only Deliverer, our sole Redeemer. In the words of Glennon Doyle Melton, “it was brutiful.”

As the night drew to a close I couldn’t help but think of how what we lost in the garden (his presence, companionship) we claim in the desert. It’s our promise.

In Exodus 16:1-36 we read part of the story of God’s deliverance for the people of Israel (this passage has no shortage on complaining, wondering if God was near, etc) and one particular verse stuck out to me as I thought of desert moments…

verse 10: “While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.”

HIs presence is found in the desert, available to heal, restore, redeem, and deliver. This is who he is. No matter what winds knock you back and forth he is for you, near in your suffering, in your loss, in your affliction, and his promises are yours to claim. May the sweet, the sweet of Jesus, be present in your bitter times. This is my prayer.

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If you want to join a band of women who sneak away on Sunday nights to share honest heart to hearts, melt away the week to soulful melodies, and feast on the finer things while journeying through faith in Jesus meet me at Sip and Savor on 6th Ave.

Next 4 week Round: April 10th 2016 @ 7 PM at The Table

Dates: April 10, 17, 24, and May 1

$25 reserves your materials, drinks, and nibbles for 4 weeks.