Nougat 9

Today’s Holy Nougat challenges us to determine what it is that we believe when we confess Christ as Savior.

“and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” John‬ ‭10:41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For John’s disciples, his ministry was ordinary. It was void of ‘signs and wonders’. Yet, on experiencing Jesus, they found in him The Messiah of whom John spoke. Even at that point, they did not necessarily ‘see’ what John said as prophetic; although they were not trying to refute John. Siblings in the faith, at times we may not find anything we say being acknowledged; yet it doesn’t mean that our witness has no value. It could simply be that it is established as the standard. Moreover we see that our witness ought to point to Christ; not ourselves.

What then was John’s witness?

Although John spake of Jesus quite frequently; it is the summary of his testimony in John 1 that offers the clues. Firstly, John KNEW he was NOT the Messiah. This is very important to note in a world where many leaders operate under the ongoing manifestation of spiritual gifts. Although it is to be expected that respect and even appreciation is given; ALL glory belongs to God. Kissing hands or rings may be culturally accepted; but can be a stumbling block to seeing Christ AT work WITHIN the one who ministers, and may even result in mild idolatry.

Whereas John was careful to point to Christ as the Source; it would not be enough for them to recognize Jesus. John noted that Spirit spoke to Spirit. He had been told to look for the One upon Whom God’s Spirit rested. And, true to God’s Word, it was Jesus. John proceeded to clarify that Jesus was not only the Son of God and the Messiah; but with Him came the opportunity to be baptized in the Spirit. The very same principle raised by Jesus two chapters later in a conversation with the Jewish leader Nicodemus.

Because much of our Faith praxis is Spiritually derived, contrary to what we ‘see’ or think we are seeing. Being able to navigate our way through these is important. (And before any of us tries to crucify me or dismiss the claim; I invite us to revisit the words we parrot in the Lord’s Prayer – Your will be done ON Earth as it is IN Heaven! That suggests that we actually Know that we’re operating in/on at least Two realms!!! Yup, exactly like that). For our worship is given to a God Who is FULLY Human and FULLY Divine. Our interactions occur within both planes whether we accept it logically or not.

Interestingly, we may note – God manifested physically as human to effect salvation for us all. But for us to fully access that salvation’s promise in God’s presence, we must access God’s Spirit. Additionally, Jesus baptizes IN God’s Spirit; Who points us to God! And they both – Jesus and the Spirit of God – sit at God’s throne, interceding for each of us! Truly, The Trinity is interconnected; despite the individual nature of each Person of the Trinity.

So, if John’s witness of Christ points to God’s Spirit, Who reveals Truths of Christ and points us to God; then acceptance of Christ is also us accepting the Fact of God’s Spirit. And, when we accept God’s Spirit, what do we do with the Truth God’s Spirit brings? Do we ignore, or like the disciples do we arrive at the same conclusion?

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May all we seek be found in Christ