Believe It
A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.”
I suppose that some may say it is the English in me, but I enjoy gardening. I like all aspects: getting my hands dirty in the soil, choosing plants, trimming, deadheading, watching the butterflies and the hummingbirds, etc. I am not keen on some of the insects and last summer, I had a serious hunt in place for two grasshoppers that ate the parsley and fennel overnight.
This year, I have planted four hyssop plants. Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible 12 times, both for its cleansing effect in connection with plague, leprosy and chest ailments, and symbolically in cleansing the soul. It was grown for its aromatic leaves and flowers and features in many culinary dishes. It is a member of the mint family and it is thought that the marjoram we know and use today is the hyssop mentioned in the Bible.
We began our Lenten journey hearing Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Then John’s entry in the New Testament says that hyssop was used, along with wine vinegar, to alleviate the thirst of Jesus, during his Passion.
Throughout Lent, we have been on a journey. It is a solemn observance commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. We have been encouraged to fast, meditate daily, and commit more fully to reading the Bible as we acknowledge that we are by nature sinful and cannot fix ourselves.
Today, we have celebrated Easter commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We believe that Jesus died for our sins. We have been sprinkled with hyssop and we are forgiven of our sins. Believe it.
