Nougat 11

You know friend, it’s the little things that make the difference. Things we often overlook. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭18:16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Despite his best efforts, Peter had NO access to the space where Jesus was tried. Like any normal, run of the mill commoner, Peter was obliged to wait outside and receive second-hand, filtered updates about what was happening. Have you ever been there? Where you were desperate to get information about a specific situation and you’re obliged to rely on others? (I suspect many of us can relate, having experienced the lockdown of Covid-19.) How did that knowledge of receiving secondhand, (possibly third, maybe fourth) filtered information affect you?

Interestingly, we note that Peter patiently waited at least quietly waited. And his patience paid off, for while he had no influence, he knew someone who did. And the door previously shut to Peter opened wide. Actually, it was a gate. Quite literally, the courtyard gate. Can we also relate to that – where amidst a hopeless situation, something happens outside of your power to tilt the scale in a positive direction?

How did you react? What words did we use to describe what happened? As I read this nougat, I called it a miracle! It wasn’t coincidence that had a disciple who was friends with the High Priest watching and waiting to use his influence on Peter’s behalf. Some have influence and choose not to use it. That disciple chose to use the relationship positively.

And while it is a miracle, I hope we’ve noticed that God effected it through a human. As we move throughout this new week, might we be discerning enough to recognize and receive the miracles God sends our way. May we also be open to using our God-given influence to facilitate a miracle for someone else.

By God’s grace, we can transform the narrative!

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May all we seek be found in Christ