The Book of Revelation has been interpreted in many ways by many different people. We understand it as a revelation that John received. In this particular passage we read that the voice from heaven told John to take the scroll from the angel and to eat it. It would taste sweet but be bitter in his stomach. The sweet taste was due to the scroll containing God's Words, but the bitterness was caused because the words contained God's judgement. How often do we read God's Word and feel good about God's love for us, but neglect the responsibility that comes with God's love?

Jesus walked into the outer area of the Temple and drove out the merchants, accusing them of taking advantage of the people who had come to worship. He must have known that this would cause concern amongst the Temple personnel, but Jesus remained day after day teaching the people about God's love and grace and mercy. The Temple was the place where Jesus spent His time up until the Passover. We can only imagine the tension that must have been present as Jesus made His way into the Temple day after day to bring His Father's message to the people. Jesus tasted the sweetness of His Father's words in His life, but He suffered the bitterness of the people's persecution due to the values He stood for.