Nougat 28

Discerning what is right isn’t always as easy as it would seem. The Bible may sometimes seem contradictory, but it may be that we hear in part. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat for example:

“They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Belonging

After our discourse for the past two days, we might wonder about this excerpt from Y’shua’s High Priestly prayer. And, if like me, you grew up with the refrain, ‘Be in the world, but not of the world.’, which some interpret as the message from our Nougat, then it may be hard to figure what to do. You will recall me naming the quandary at the beginning of this discourse. For, in one breath we argue for spiritual purity and exclusivity, but we expect others to willingly join us – how?

Hmmn

Could it not be a bit less complicated?

Our Nougat, as part of Y’shua’s prayer, reflects His deep thoughts to YHWH. This wasn’t a teaching moment with the disciples, so for me, it carries more weight. As He poured our His heart, we find that Y’shua’s focus was directed at the disciples’ spiritual alertness. He even petitioned for the salvation of the disciples, noting that He’d not lost any of those assigned to Him by YHWH, with the exception of the ‘Son of perdition’. This suggests that Judas’ selection before His act of betrayal was not accidental. Even in that choice Y’shua was conscious about mingling with ‘outcasts’.

In the prayer I hear Y’shua claiming citizenship in Heaven for the disciples. They – the 12 or the 70 – had proven their loyalty to the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. Thus, as He prepared to ‘go to prepare a place’, Y’shua sought to ensure that they were eligible for the place through prayer. And, as believers, we maintain that that which applies to the disciples also applies to us.

The dual identity debate is one that is waged in secular spaces also. Several countries do not permit their nationals to assume a second nationality. In those cases, it becomes critical to renounce one’s original nationality to gain citizenship there or assume that country’s nationality. Other countries, like Jamaica, maintain that our citizenship is for life. Thus, ‘no matter where we go Jamaica is our home …’

As Believers, we are citizens of Heaven. But until that Great Day, we still have an identity here on earth. Hence we’re both in this world, but not of this world. Our identities (should) remain fixed to Heaven’s standards, where we belong. Like a diplomat, we abide in our ’ host country’, living with the people, observing the laws here, provided they don’t conflict with our country’s laws. And as ambassadors, we always represent our country’s interests.

So our earthly interactions must represent Heaven’s interests. It doesn’t matter with whom we interact, like Y’shua – we cannot lose sight of the mission! He ate and drank with all manner of people, but never once did He forget His assignment.

Having had insight into Y’shua’s prayer for the disciples, which by extension includes us, where do we place our allegiance? To whom do we belong?

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May all we seek be found in Christ