WHERE'S THE PROOF?
Evidence you can taste and see
If you know anything about me, you know I love adages—sayings that are oldies but goodies. Let’s see if you can guess this one:
This adage was longer in the 1300s and meatier, one might say. The dish that may have started this proverb included minced meats (dried fruits, nuts, spirits, and fats, etc.), spices, cereal, and sometimes blood. These ingredients were then stuffed into an animal-type casing and cooked. Not to culinary or temperature-controlled specifications, mind you. Hence, the obvious danger in eating such foods.
A portion of the original adage was lopped off in 1623 in William Camden’s Remains Concerning Britain. Aware that such sayings would vanish with the passage of time, Mr. Camden sought to memorialize them in his book.
Even before this adage made it into casings, in fact thousands of years earlier, kings had cupbearers who would sample their wine and taste their food. If the cupbearer didn’t die, the king would then partake. He had proof the item would do him no harm.
Ready for the adage?
SPOILER ALERT: At one time, it was said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If said at all nowadays, the antiquated adage has morphed to the proof is in the pudding.
The Lord in His wisdom has given us several Biblical references that predate the pudding. Here’s one of my favorites:
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps. 34:8, KJV)
How lovingly the Lord calls us near and extends the challenge to, in modern terms, check Him out. He has no fear that He’ll pass the test! In other words, He is as trustworthy, as good, as faithful as He claims He is. No need to have anyone sample Him for us. The pleasure is all ours! When we pray, He hears our cry. Digging into His word, we'll find Him on every page. And ever as good as His previous claims and deeds.
Moses found the Lord in the desert’s burning bush and again as the Red Sea opened. At an advanced age, Sarah saw the goodness of God in her baby Isaac’s face. Ascending to the throne, David experienced anew the faithfulness of God. Paul and Silas left the prison, not because the jailer freed them but because God’s power loosed their chains. John wrote what he saw on the Island of Patmos, because God again revealed Himself there.
Because God’s love couldn’t allow Him to enjoy the beauty of Heaven without us, He sent Jesus to pay the price for sin in our place.
Jesus, the promised Messiah in the Old Testament and the risen Savior in the New, still says ‘You’ve tried the rest, now come, put your trust in me. See that I am faithful to do what I say.’
Need more proof?
Like Mr. Camden’s book of adages, Dr. Luke recorded what Jesus’ apostles had seen and heard:
...He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3, NKJV)
Our need for proof hasn’t changed much, especially with half-truths, scams, and rising costs. For example, if we’re going out to eat, we want recommendations about really good, tried and true restaurants. Having infallible proof is the way to go.
God’s word is the only place you can get that kind of evidence!
So interesting!!! Thank you so much!