Nougat 9

If given the greatest treasure ever, what would we do? That’s the key question in today’s Holy Nougat

““Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.” Matthew 25:14 NLT

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NLT

For some, interposing these two nougats may seem unlikely. One might contend that Jesus did not mention the Spirit of God in the parable. However, it is actually very likely that Jesus was alluding to God’s Spirit in several conversations with the disciples as His time of death drew near. If that is the case, and I am arguing along those lines, what it means is that on His departure, Jesus provided the most essential resource for us.

How so?

Money was considered a means of trade and wealth creation. People soon misinterpreted as the currency of power. Jesus always subverted that norm, insisting that we store treasures in Heaven, rather than earth; where our treasure is subject to decay, theft, stock markets and other variables outside our control (Matthew 6:19-23). In fact, with Covid-19 and bitcoins, one could argue that money as we know it is of lesser value.

When Jesus this insists that His departure is necessary for the disciples, one ought to conclude that His replacement is of equal or greater power/capacity. And, as Spirit, the Advocate not only is privy to what occurs in the heavenlies; but we recognize (from our own reading and prior reflection), that God’s Spirit is NOT time and space bound as Jesus in human form would be. In other words, God’s Spirit is more accessible to us all.

Furthermore, in revisiting Isaiah 61:1-3; 58:6 and Luke 4:18-19, we realize that God’s Spirit is more than just accessible to believers. God’s Spirit is transformative. Where God’s Spirit is, there is liberty, freedom from the burden of oppression, healing deliverance from brokenness and vision beyond the ordinary. All things that money can’t buy! Wealth creation beyond this galaxy. According to Luke and John, ours for the accepting; because Jesus already bequeathed God’s Spirit to us before His departure.

So, we have this marvelous inheritance, accessible only with Jesus’ departure from earth. What do we do with this gift? Shall we assume that it’s a hoax? Compare our share with others? Set terms to ensure we can monitor how much others can access? Invite others to come receive the inheritance that keeps expanding?

The choice is ours as God’s Spirit has already been commissioned for us who believe.

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May all we seek be found in Christ