Nougat 24

Have you ever considered that Jews were converted by the Good News? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Like Wildfire

For the most part, we often think of the message of the Gospel spreading to Gentiles, despite knowing that all Jesus’ named disciples were Jews. We have also somehow overlooked or forgotten about the thousands of converts gathered at Pentecost.

It is understandable, given the more prominent narrative, which is also true. Those who opposed Jesus, plotted and overcame old enmities to ensure that Jesus died surrounded by public humiliation were Jews. They were among the core custodians of The Law (Torah). In fact, it was the reason they were against Jesus. He threatened their security and they were worried about the risk of yet another Exile if the ‘heretic’ Jesus was a charlatan.

But there were others.

Like Jairus. Who, in desperation for his daughter’s healing, publicly sought Jesus out. His faith was rewarded, Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter. I suspect it transformed his faith. His story is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Nor can we forget Nicodemus (John 3). We may scoff at Nicodemus’ clandestine meeting with Jesus, and rightly so, but as we do so, let’s not forget that his ‘stupid question’ resulted in the most well-known and loved verse in the Bible. Nicodemus’ yearning paved the way for us to have the total assurance that we are all included in God’s salvific plan, especially when we choose to act on it.

Further, we learn that Nicodemus became a secret disciple (see John 19), who partnered with Joseph of Arimathea to secure Jesus’ burial. So the gospel was accepted by some. We might even be correct in supposing that if there were those two, others might have existed.

What’s the point of all that you ask. It’s very straightforward when we think about it. We are told that word of mouth by anointed believers resulted in the rapid spread of the Gospel, even priests. The impact of the Gospel is such that even those die hard believers have the potential for conversion. Not to our faith, because it’s not really ours; but to faith in Jesus Christ.

What do we need to do to ensure that the Gospel continues to spread? Having realized that it’s God who adds the power (increase) to our our evangelistic efforts, we continue to share this Good News. We go where led and share as directed. Some will disappoint us (though we might not be surprised), but others might be open to the Truth as shared by us under God’s anointing.

Is there a ‘priest’ who is not yet open to the Gospel message? Pray for the person, and as God guides, we share the Truth, and allow God’s Spirit to spread the Word in other spaces like wildfire.

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May all we seek be found in Christ