Nougat 18

Hi

Hope you’re well. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It’s ironic; this nougat inspires Hope and Concern at the same time. Hope, because try as I might; I am still unable to stop sinning absolutely. Concern that my sinful nature might stray away from God’s loving grace.

For the ones about whom Jesus spoke were good religious leaders – the very keepers of spiritual law – yet; they never ‘got’ Jesus. Again they were challenged by Jesus’ actions (this was a regular thing with them). I suspect that part of their mortification came from the fact that Jesus had NEVER studied under any of their schools; not the Pharisees; the Sadducees, the Essenes … He wasn’t even a disciple of John; the ‘mystic’ baptizer who hung out in the desert. And, He had no priestly or prophetic pedigree to justify His actions.

Yet, had they moved past their affront at Jesus’ disruption of their routine long enough to honestly search the Scriptures; they might have noticed two very critical bits to give a moment’s pause. They might have considered God’s Word to Samuel at David’s secret coronation: “Humanity focuses on the superficial; God’s concern is the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7 (adapted). In other words, the Pharisees would have focused on God’s revelation of Jesus’ heart, and seen Him for Who He is. (A Word to the wise is sufficient).

They also would have been familiar enough with the prophet’s description of the messiah (ie the Christ): “… he had no halo; no great looks; no special hint about his identity; nor was he handsome. Rather he was rejected and despised … “ Isaiah 53:2b-3a. Unfortunately, the Pharisees helped fulfill the prophecy by being party with those who rejected and despised Jesus. He challenged their norms, questioned their actions and showed them up for being religious without relationship. They manifested the form of godliness; knew scripture inside out; but lacked the depth needed to know Jesus personally.

And that’s what we have to guard against, well one of the things any way. We MUST ensure that we maintain our personal relationship with Jesus. When that is in place; it’s hard to get flustered when the threats to our peace and our Faith present themselves. As religious leaders in our own rights, or as disciples of Jesus; we will face tests. There will be folks who seem to practice the faith differently than us. And their methods may incite us to cry demonic manifestation. But Jesus’ response to the Pharisees assures us that it is God Who is the final Judge.

How so? We don’t know the repentance routine between the one we consider a charlatan and Jesus. And, just as the Pharisees misinterpreted Jesus and His motives; we might find ourselves watching others instead of Christ. We may attach our fidelity to false prophets; or waste our time witch-hunting. The Good News is, Jesus promises that we are forgivable as long as we do not deny the power, work and witness of God’s Spirit.

For myself and for us all; I say – are we without sin? Find God right now. Sin-sick and repentant; God’s Grace is sufficient.

Selah

In Christ’s love and grace . . .