Nougat 4

Hello

I pray you well in body, mind and spirit this week. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“So again He asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “ Yeshua ha-Natzrati.”” John‬ ‭18:7‬ ‭TLV‬‬

He was about to be arrested and crucified. That was no social visit. Yet, Jesus was as cool as a cucumber. Judas was with them. He knew their intent, that they were not there to warn Him to be respectful towards their bosses (like a good action movie). And, knowing their intent, Jesus preempted them by asking them who it is that they sought.

Why?

Why that question? Could Jesus not have waited for Judas to kiss Him, as the other Gospels described?

Maybe Jesus was giving them one last opportunity to repent. For although the scripture had to be fulfilled, they could have opted out.

They didn’t. Rather, they stated their intent. No frills. They were there for Jesus. (And there was someone with them to confirm that they got the right person, so they would only take Jesus).

Here is a thought, if Jesus – in the fullness of God’s timing – was willing to be taken by those men and even asked them who they sought; isn’t He even more interested to hear our hearts’ desire?

Can you hear Him right now asking, ‘Whom do you seek, and what do you want?’? He’s asking us that question directly and individually today. How shall we respond?

Perhaps our response shall be, ‘Jesus Christ, Son of the living God’. And seeking Him, we pray for an end to this pandemic, for God’s will to be done and none other, and that whoever or whatever is seeking ungodly gain from this pandemic be put to rights by the power of God.

We might also pray for those who are battling the virus – whether as scientists, medical personnel, military or civilian – that the cure be legit and life-giving. For those who are infected, that they be made whole. For leaders of government, that their motives be genuine, and not be a power game. For the poor, the hungry, the displaced and the depressed, that they find their needs supplied through Christ Jesus. For ourselves, that we experience God’s peace in our responses to the pandemic.

Hear the question, ’Who do you want and what do you seek?’ directed at us once again. How shall we respond?

In Christ’s love and grace . . .