Nougat 19

Have you ever been mocked because of your faith? It cannot have been a sun experience. What about being misunderstood? For some of us, such situations invite us to hunker down with Christ, Who keeps us from retaliating in like manner. While we recognize that persecution can be the source of our being blessed (see Matthew 5:10-11), Today’s Holy Nougat also offers us a peek at how we ought to respond.

Acts 2:13-14 CEVDCI

[13] Others made fun of the Lord’s followers and said, “They are drunk.”

[14] Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd: Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say!

Speak out, With Clarity

It was Pentecost.

Not just any Pentecost, but it was the first since Y’shua’s crucifixion and resurrection. Fifty days after the Passover, where Y’shua became sin for us. Ten days after His Ascension. It most definitely wasn’t an ordinary Pentecost.

It was an extraordinary Pentecost. For YHWH honoured Y’shua’s promise, sending the Comforter – God’s visible and indwelling Spirit – to remain with and empower the disciples. That manifestation was like nothing anyone had ever seen. No description or hint provided by the prophets of old prepared them for the visible outpouring of God’s Spirit that day.

To the uninitiated, that must have been strange. Seeing what looked like flames resting atop the disciples would have been unusual. Moreover, this was accompanied by unlearned and a few educated folk suddenly speaking fluently in other languages. The languages were strangely familiar, as those over whom the tongues of fire hovered, spoke in the languages of the global visitors.

It was shocking!

Having received the shock of their lives, people’s reactions varied. Some were simply amazed, some were perplexed, others mocked what they did not understand.

Self-Check

As we hear of the shocked reaction of the people to Y’shua’s disciples, what surprises us the most, and what resonates with us? Why?

Deeper Dive

We know that it was God’s Spirit at work in the disciples results from Peter’s response. John 18:10 reveals how impulsive and hot tempered Peter used to be. He cut a soldier’s ear off to defend Y’shua at the time of Y’shua’s arrest. Fifty days later, that very same Peter was being mocked and did not resort to violence! It was the same Peter, but God’s Spirit was at work.

When Peter spoke, he was no longer just a disciple of Y’shua. He spoke as a Spirit-led apostle, anointed for the purpose of proclaiming God’s Word. He did not physically retaliate. He invited them to dialogue.

And that is what ought to be our initial response – allowing God’s Spirit to direct us. Y’shua’s blessing plan for us includes the manifestation of God’s kingdom here on earth (see Matthew 6:10; and Luke 11:2). As God’s subjects and ambassadors, empowered by God’s Spirit (our advocate), through God’s Son, our Prince of Peace, Y’shua. While others won’t see tongues of fire hovering over us, they should see that we’re led by God’s Spirit. That becomes possible once we yield to Christ in all aspects of our lives.

Point to Ponder

For us believers, clarity of speech must include our attitude and actions.

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May all we seek be found in Christ