Hi dear
Yesterday I spoke with my sister and she asked whether I was continuing with our reflections on Citizenship. I confidently said No, I’m done for now. And then I saw today’s Holy Nougat, I knew she spake not of her own wisdom … thanks Raqs
“When day came, He called His disciples, choosing from among them twelve whom He also named emissaries—” Luke 6:13 TLV
Before making what I see as the obvious link between the nougat (ie the scripture) and citizenship, I offer you some further reading that I did.
The Greek word that is translated “apostle” is ἀπόστολος and it literally means “an apostle, a messenger, an envoy, a delegate.” The word appears, in its various forms, a total of 80 times in the New Testament. ‘The Role of Apostles in Church – Tim Harris 2013 ChasingaLion.com )
Now, please allow me to hasten to say I don’t believe that we are all called to Apostleship. No I do not (And 1 Corinthians 12:29 would refute me if I tried. Truly). But I couldn’t help but notice that the Tree of Life version uses the designation ‘emissary’ instead of the more popular term ‘apostle’. And it struck me as noteworthy. Because when I hear the word emissary, I think diplomatic relations, not the apostolic office. Especially since an emissary is not only a messenger, but also one who negotiates and represents the interests of their country in public and private spaces. They are sometimes considered agents of peace, or secret agents.
Most commentaries emphasize the ‘sent-ness’ of the disciples-apostles, and I often left it at that. But as emissaries, I’m personally drawn to Matthew 16:18; when Jesus is revealed in all His Sovereign glory. Both by Peter’s confession (see earlier verses) and by Jesus’ proclamation of Peter becoming the foundation of an alternative community, which we now call the church. It further takes me to Peter’s letter to the faithful, where he describes them as a set apart nation (1 Peter 2:9), of which he is an emissary of their Sovereign (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1).
Now I am very conscious that every citizen isn’t an ambassador or diplomat of their country. But I’m also aware that sometimes, especially when we are in spaces where our country’s people are not well known; we are in our own ways, unofficial representatives of our country. And whatever we say and do becomes definitive of our country. Thus Bob Marley, Louise Bennett and Usain Bolt were never official ambassadors of Jamaica; but most people have insta-association with one or more of those names. And, those twelve chosen by Jesus were a rough and tumble bunch. Unpolished, not ‘Diplomatic material’ by most standards!
I digress intentionally for a moment to raise a critical (counter)point. Years ago, during an Olympic game; a world-renowned sprinter tested positive for banned steroids. The Breaking newscast began; Olympic (read nationality here) athlete, John Brown caught with steroids (name changed out of respect for the transformation process). The Developing newscast began, Jamaican-born Olympic athlete … The Ensuing newscast read Jamaican-born athlete. He was NOT representing Jamaica at the Olympic Games!!!! Jamaica claimed him despite the slur on his name – just as God claims us despite … Remember tho, for good or bad, our actions may be a testimony to our nationality, EVEN when we think we are not representing them!!
So, a final thought (though I will continue to sit with the nougat) … if Jesus was choosing any of us as an emissary today, on what grounds would we be chosen –
- For our rough and tumble untried-unshaped nature,
- For our diplomatic spit and polish,
- For our exemplary citizenship, or
- Despite our disappointing actions?
May our lives be unshaped enough for God’s discipling; but yielded enough that when we are not officially on assignment as Heaven‘s nationals we would not continually bring shame to our Heavenly country. And when we do stumble, I pray we remember that God will claims us especially when we repent.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
