Pico de gallo happened on Pentecost in Acts 2. That’s when the New Testament church was born.
It had Jewish roots, but was already very diverse. Emigration had taken Jews to all corners of the world. Some were cultured city dwellers who loved Greek plays and philosophy. Others lived a simpler life in the countryside. All had different heart languages.
Yet they shared a common background—and to a lesser or greater extent—a common faith. In Acts 2 we see that God’s people from north, south, east, and west had come to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival.
God sent his Holy Spirit, who overcame the language barrier so they could hear the good news of Jesus in their own language. He overcame the culture barrier.
Baptized into Christ, these very different people became one family.
God’s message about Jesus went out as pioneers started sharing the gospel with Gentiles (non-Jews). At first it wasn’t easy. They had to face and overcome centuries of prejudice and mutual distrust.
But a miracle happened. The two became one. Each had their own accent, hair and clothes styles, but once they met Jesus they were all one. The old things that once divided them were no longer as important.
What was God doing? He was creating a colorful and delicious pico de gallo. Pico de gallo is a type of salsa. It’s a fresh, uncooked mixture of chopped tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chiles, lime juice, and salt. Each flavor is distinct. Blended together it’s a delicious combination of flavor.
God has made his church like a pico de gallo. It’s made up of many different ingredients. Each particular flavor, each distinct person, culture and background is important.
Pico de gallo is not made to be eaten by itself. It’s meant to go with something. The church doesn’t exist for its own benefit. We exist to help people see how amazing God is.
So now let’s get up to heaven and see what that looks like! John says in the book of Revelation “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9).
Here in Pflugerville God has blessed us in a different way. People from all nations are moving to our community. When we gather for worship it looks more and more like the worship described in Revelation 7. God is making a delicious pico de gallo here at CrossLife.
We have people who come from Nigeria, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, China, Ghana, Libya, Taiwan, African Americans, and Tejanos. Native Texans and transplants. Pico de gallo is the result of what God is doing.
What can we do? Since our eternal home will have people from all tribes and nations, let’s continue to show that in our church, our worship and our school. Let’s be a welcoming place to people of all different backgrounds and nations and tribes.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, keep making pico de gallo in the church. Bring together people of faith from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds, to be one in Christ. Mobilize us to reach your wonderful people of all cultures. Amen.
WHO SAID THIS? Thanks to Pastor Rob for these words from his Sunday sermon at CrossLife Church. Listen to the full message here https://crosslifepf.org/messages/where-heavenly-worship-hits-the-road/
