Nougat 29

One interesting thing I’ve noticed since the easing of restrictions here in Geneva is an ad to experience a free membership trial at a country club. Although it seems like a gym I was struck by how the mighty has fallen; since back in the day, it was just for those who can afford it. And that’s what struck me about today’s Holy Nougat

“He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”” Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭10:43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What does everyone mean? Each and every single solitary one – with ZERO exceptions! And that IS the blessedness of the Good News. Contrary to our Country Club approach to the Gospel, it is God’s desire that none perish!

We didn’t ‘get it’ under the First Covenant (aka the Old Testament); but it was there. Just ask Naaman, his encounter with the prophet moved him to Extreme Faith. (Remember he dug a tonload of dirt, so he could worship the God of Jacob wherever he was)! Or ask Ruth, who converted on the basis of her mother in law’s lifestyle and later became a fore-mother of Jesus. Ask countless others scattered throughout the biblical narrative of the First Covenant.

And let us not lose sight of the audience; those potential parishioners were Roman soldiers! Hard to the core; tough back men (possibly with families)along with their entourage; and their job was to quell Jewish rebellion against Rome. Poor Peter must have been mortified to hear those words coming from his own mouth.

Except that God prepared and sent him to speak to those tough back men! To share with THEM God’s good news and salvation plan. Just like that.

Now, we have to remember, Jesus didn’t drop all this on Peter without warning – Nope! If Peter was in full recall; he could tell any any every one about Jesus’ instructions when sending them off to wait for the Pentecost outpouring. Acts 1:8 recounts it beautifully – Peter and the 10 (possibly even the 70), were sent to witness to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, AND the far extremes. And no, Jesus was not referring to the Netherlands!

It is likely Peter forgot. As us humans sometimes do.

But God did not

For, forgetting would be denying God’s own God-ness and Goodness. And God is not about that. Because; if God isn’t God then God isn’t even worth being a god. I don’t know about you, but I cannot even fathom that.

So having said all that, what next? Time for action. We ought to do likewise. God sends us as Peters and Philips and Mary’s and Priscillas to go preach, teach, and baptize. Even to our ‘Cornelius’.

We’re really NOT sent to establish country clubs!

So what we gonna do now? We have a gift in this period to batten down and figure out what we ought to be doing – prayerfully! Time’s a going; let’s be caught working.

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May all we seek be found in Christ