30 Apr: Milk Before Meat
Solid food is for the mature. Hebrews 5:14
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11–6:2
Back in the seventh century, the land we now know as the United Kingdom wasn’t unified—it was made up of separate kingdoms, often in conflict. One of those rulers, Oswald of Northumbria, came to faith in Jesus and wanted his people to hear the gospel. So he requested a missionary.
A man named Corman was sent, but his efforts didn’t go well. He grew frustrated, describing the people as “stubborn” and uninterested, and eventually gave up and returned home.
That’s when a monk named Aidan spoke up. He gently challenged Corman, suggesting the problem wasn’t the people, but the approach. He said Corman had been too harsh, giving them teaching they weren’t ready to receive instead of starting with something simpler—what he called “the milk of more easy doctrine.”
Aidan took a different approach. When he went to Northumbria, he met people where they were, explaining the message in a way they could understand. And it made all the difference—thousands came to faith.
This approach reflects what Scripture teaches. Paul told the Corinthians, “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it” (1 Corinthians 3:2). And Hebrews reminds us that foundational truths—like repentance and faith—must come first before deeper teaching (Hebrews 5:13–6:2). Growth matters, but there’s an order to it.
People can’t live out what they don’t yet understand.
Because of this patient, thoughtful approach, the faith in Northumbria didn’t just grow—it spread far beyond. And it leaves us with a clear reminder: when we share the gospel, we don’t start where we are—we start where they are.
By: Caleb Wright
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Reflect & Pray
In simple terms, how would you explain the gospel? How can you avoid expecting people who aren’t believers in Jesus to think or behave as you do?
Jesus, thank You for reaching me in ways I could understand.