Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

I believe that the role of the pastor and teacher within the church is invaluable. God holds them to a higher accountability than parishioners. They are after all responsible for bringing the pure Word.

Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Yesterday we dealt with mother’s milk and today I would like to speak to Pastorized Milk. (pun intended)

Pasteurization is a cleansing process wherein bacteria are killed. The intent is to take milk from cattle and prepare it for public consumption. Its source is not from the mother and does not have the same antibodies and cannot therefore provide the same natural protection. It is good for growth and the essence of antibodies has already been established within the reborn and need not be repeated.

In the natural there are many sources of pasteurized milk. In the spiritual there are many sources of pastorized milk. In the natural there is a use by date, it is guaranteed fit for use for only a specific period. Pastorized milk has no use by date. Sermons can be reused or reread over and over again with no fear of contamination.

Pasteurized milk comes in whole milk, 5%, 2% and skim milk. You buy what you like or need according to your physical needs. Pastorized milk has to be delivered to all as a blend, each sermon containing elements of wholeness in which the hearer will receive it all but only digest according to personal growth, as the body needs. This is not an easy matter for a pastor or teacher to make sure the milk contains the right blend so that no one is lacking what is needed.

These are just some ideas about pastor’s milk. Can you see anything else? Care to share?

Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

This week I shall endeavor to compare physical growth with spiritual growth. Jesus said we must be born again, first born of water and then of the spirit. There are scriptural references to growth which relates physical growth with spiritual growth. Let us see what we can discover here.

Mother’s milk is not meant to teach knowledge. While scripture does talk about the milk of the Word it does not imply what kind of milk in particular. It’s just milk. So I ask, does it matter? Is there a difference between mother’s milk and any other kind? If we are to compare the physical with the spiritual, let us begin here with Isaiah 28:9 where it implies that mother’s milk is not meant for knowledge.

What exactly does mother’s milk do physically? What does mother’s milk do spiritually?

The first thing I think of is availability. The first opportunity for physical growth come right from the mother. Mothers are with the child constantly and have the most influence. That bonding connection is made and the child gains the benefit without understanding. In the same way in the spirit, there is a bonding which the reborn enjoy and have without understanding.

Mother’s milk provides antibodies that protect the physical babe in ways the child can never comprehend, and happens with no effort on their part except to be nurtured. In that same manner those earliest spiritual words protect the reborn in ways we do not understand. It is God at work, protecting us in ways we are not aware.

I could add that a mother’s spiritual instruction while a child is in developmental stages before they come to an age of accountability are invaluable. That would not strictly meet the comparative we seek here since rebirth had not yet occurred.

Do you see anything else spiritual in mother’s milk? If so, please share.