Nougat 20

What does it mean to be carriers of God’s peace? Well, the simple answer is that we are blessed, and folks will know that we are Children of God. Not bad at all. For that legacy is directly spiritual, no one can take it away. Having answered the ‘what’ by ourselves (with a little hint from the Matthew 5 Beatitudes), we can also figure out the simple ‘how’ by reading Today’s Holy Nougat.

Luke 10:5 CEVDCI

[5] As soon as you enter a home, say, “God bless this home with peace.”

Sharing God’s Peace

As soon as – not when we remember, not if we feel like it. Like the English versions, the command in Greek is for us to ‘first’ [do …]. Siblings, this makes whatever follows that phrase our priority. Because it is Y’shua’s priority. It is what matters most to Y’shua when we visit new spaces. A song writer once wrote the following about priorities,

I want God’s way to be my way

as I journey here below.

For there is no other highway

that a Child of God should know.

Though the road is dark and rough,

while He leads me ’tis enough …

Unfortunately, that it is often easier said than done.

Self-Check

What happens when we make God’s priorities our own? If we haven’t done so as yet, what’s preventing us?

Application

Although there are other Divine priorities such as: loving God with our everything and also loving our neighbours as much as we love ourselves (see Exodus 20:3-6 and Matthew 22:37-40), Y’shua offered this peace principle as priority for the other 72 who followed Him. It was a core element of their practical. It could be seen as Evangelism 101.

Y’shua’s peace principle is simple, speak God’s peace (blessedness, joining of that which is broken, or wholeness) into the space. Before offering money (which would have been limited), or even getting into lengthy conversations with others, we should offer them God’s peace.

Siblings, this is the same ‘peace’ that Y’shua spoke into the room of scared disciples after His resurrection (see John 20:19, 21, 26). Y’shua practised what He preached. We note that after receiving the gift of peace, Y’shua’s disciples were no longer afraid! In the same manner, the peace we offer to others upon entering their homes or offices, must drive fear away.

We note that Matthew 5:9 speaks to Peacemakers being known as God’s children. Wouldn’t it be marvellous for others to identify us as God’s children by our actions?

Interestingly, Ephesians 6 says that the Gospel of peace must be our footwear. That is very similar to the instructions given to the 72. If our feet are the limbs that take us places, then we are being instructed to take the Gospel of peace (i.e., the Good News of God’s blessings, joining of that which is broken, and wholeness) with us everywhere. We must always be ready to share God’s peace.

In the preceding verse, the 72 were told to take nothing in the form of money or material gifts on their journey. Next they were told that the very first thing to be done upon entering another’s home is to speak peace. This suggests to me that peace is an even greater gift to share with others than financial or other gifts. It ought to be our priority.

Point to Ponder

What manner of guests are we – do we offer God’s peace wherever we are, or are we a strain on our hosts joy?

What would it mean for us to prioritise God’s peace upon entry in new spaces?

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May all we seek be found in Christ