Today’s Readings:
Genesis 17:3-9
Psalm 105:4-9
John 8:51-59
‘I tell you most solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.’ If you were a Jew and you heard Jesus, a 33-year-old man from a ghetto and obscure village called Nazareth, claim not only to be older than Abraham but that He is God, what would you say? We will never know but one thing is for sure—we will question his sanity. The audacity to declare your identity and defend it in the face of towering opposition is what defined Jesus’ ministry ever before He crowned it with His death and resurrection. He made such bold claims as, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He called himself the “Son of Man” a direct reference to Daniel’s prophecy about the Messiah (Daniel 7:13). Although his claims were true, why was it necessary for Him to declare His identity?
Jesus’ audacity beyond its divine origin is a seed that lies in each of us and we see it first evident in Abraham. The latter believed that he had entered into a covenant with God, a relationship in which God promised the land of the Canaanites to him and his descendant. He only knew that God had promised it. He had no clue how God will accomplish it. Yet, he believed. God only required trust and loyalty from Abraham and his descendants and He will handle the rest. Abraham’s trust and loyalty have borne the tree of faith whose fruits we eat and in whose shades we rest. Unlike Abraham, all we do is burn bridges, creating an endless cycle of missed opportunities. Yet God gives us another opportunity in Christ. By offering us His only begotten Son, God offers us forgiveness and freedom from sin, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and eternal peace and joy in heaven, through all the channels of grace available to us. We don’t have to worry about our future; our hope in hinged on eternal happiness through Christ.
God’s love for us shall never come to an end. As he lives, so shall we. If we remain in Him, our passing from this world shall be the attainment of eternal blessedness and not a tragic exit. We are the bloodline of Abraham by our faith. Trust in God no matter what is happening in your life. Job 11:13-19 – “Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins— even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon” through Christ our Lord. Amen.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud, “Father, I acknowledge my sins against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the pastor or priest, as the case may be.
Prayer:
I surrender my heart to You, Lord. Give me a spirit of prayer, and help me to give up my sins— even those I commit in secret. Help me to be courageous, confident and fearless. Drive away my troubles and turn my darkest night into daylight through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Help me Lord, to be who you have created me to be, to see things as You see them and live in such a way as to give glory to You in Jesus ‘name. Amen.
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