Nougat 2

Sometimes we see the perfect job advertised and before we can begin to consider applying, we’re told it’s really NOT for outsiders. It seems so unfair. Yet, we realize that in all truth, some tasks require prior internal experience. Just like today’s Holy Nougat

“This person must have been with us from the time that John was baptizing people to the day that Jesus was taken from us.”” Acts‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭GW‬‬

The criteria was set.

As they sought to fill the void left by the death of Judas, it was incumbent that the disciples go forth with a clear plan. They didn’t want just any walk in to replace Judas; so they set the criteria; the first depicting the depth of experience required.

One’s initial response, if we’re unaware of the larger Gospel narrative, is that such a person was not existent; or they already knew who they wanted. Let’s quickly strip away the layers behind the possible responses…

Jesus was ascended and had promised that impartation of God’s Spirit. He had also given the Twelve (actually eleven) the mandate to teach, preach and baptize , or to bear witness to Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the far reaches of the world. Even without adding their criteria, it is evident that they needed a person who was intimately connected to Jesus to bear witness about Jesus. At least in those early days.

This was a void that required immediate action, and the group dynamics would be easier if the person was already ‘one of them’. No time for team building, less likely to feel excluded. Thus an insider was necessary.

Did such a possibility exist? Well, we might recall that separate from the Twelve was the Seventy (two), who were almost always around Jesus. In Luke 9, Jesus sent the Twelve out and in Luke 10; He sent the Seventy. There was hope.

But not everyone of the Seventy would be suited for the task. It required that the person also had the commitment to complement the knowledge required.

It was only AFTER the criteria was set that the prayerful selection was made.

Should there be need for a disciple today, would we qualify? Can we fit in in holy, intimate spaces? Do we have the insider knowledge and relationship? More critically, will we be found committed? Lord help us

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May all we seek be found in Christ