10 September 2007 Devotion for Today The Bitter Root Hebrews 12:14-15

10 September 2007  Devotion for Today    The Bitter Root    Hebrews 12:14-15

Some years ago we were entertaining a Nigerian pastor by the name of Raaji in our

home.  Raaji was a very interesting individual and dynamic Christian;  having been saved in an Islamic background he endured much persecution in his native land.  He had many stories to tell about how God overcame many potentially dangerous situations on behalf of himself and his family.  During the course of his visit, he handed me a curious looking object: a rough, twisted,round thing that he called “the Friendship root” or “Friendship nut.”  What are you supposed to do with it?” I asked.  

“Ah, saah,” he said with his thick accent, “You suppose to put it into yah mouth and taste

de Friendship nut.  It very good for you!”

As I watched him demonstrate with no ill effects, I popped the Friendship root into my

mouth.  I was not at all prepared for what happened next.  Instantly, it seemed, all of the saliva was evacuated from my mouth, my throat, my tongue, my eyeballs, etc.  I tried to cough, but I could not even do that.  Nor could I even so much as raise enough saliva to spit it out.  It had gripped hold of me.  I wanted to be gracious to my friend in this encounter.  I had heard how, in some foreign countries, that to reject the food or hospitality of someone was the ultimate insult. I did not want to do that.  I looked at Raaji, who by this time was laughing.

“What is so funny?” I asked, still gagging on the remnants of this Friendship root.  

“You now understand why this be called Friendship root?  Because when you put it in

your mouth and eat of it, de root never want to leave you!”  

“Thanks for the explanation,” I said as we both started to laugh.  

After that experience, I was very careful to look over what he gave me, especially when it

concerned consuming it.  And like all other experiences, this is especially important.  Hebrews 12: 14-15 tells us that this impacts our relationships with others.  “Make every effort to live in peace with all men, an to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one misses the grace of God, and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

Many people who have considered turning to Christ have gotten a bitter taste in their

mouths because of the way in which so-called “Christians” behaved toward one another.  May

we do all that we can to live in harmony and peace with one another today, lest others become

defiled by the result of our actions.

Have a blessed day! 

 

(From 08 Feb 2001)

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@embarqmail.com

jcrussell@liberty.edu

 

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