DO NOT IGNORE THIS
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42
Is Jesus God or not? If I believe Him to be God, what does that mean, and what does it do for me? And if he is not, then what do I believe in? Believing in God means being ready to do some “heavy lifting”. You have to be ready to lift the weight of doubt, fear, unmet expectations, delays, failures, and emotional and psychological breakdowns. It is a lot. But the heavy lifting provides clarity if you allow yourself to go through it. Jesus is God. His claims are bold and clear. And His resurrection from the dead proves that they are true. Those who did not believe Him threw stones at Him on the rounds of blasphemy (John 10:31). Those who did believe in Him willingly gave up their lives for Him. And then there is you and I. Yes, we who are separated from the events of Jesus’ life, Passion and Resurrection by two thousand years.
We have the unenviable position of believing in Jesus through the ministry of the Church and the lives and stories of our ancestors in the faith. We act without conviction because of the realities in front of us: widespread violence, breakdown of political order, failed marriages, unreliable and selfish friends and partners, unemployment, widespread emotional and psychological instability, self-doubt and personal insecurities, to mention a few. And then there is Jesus and His bold claim of being God. Our instincts say: “If He is God, then evil is an illusion”. We know that evil exists, so why doesn’t Jesus do anything to stop it? Most of us have asked this question before. Others who have not asked will eventually catch up with the rest of us. Evil does not negate the presence or power of God. Evil casts a dark shadow on the world, a shadow that grows because we have failed to accept our part in extending its growing spread and influence.
As evil spreads its dark cloak, Jesus is the only person standing in its way. His claim to divinity shatters the hold of evil on the world. He holds the power that unlocks the spirit of hope, which fends off the power of darkness. Faith in Him is the source of true light, which shines and is not confounded by evil (John 1:5). Love for Him is the only power that can restore our shattered dreams and failed expectations. He is not just God over us; He is God with us. We share in His divinity, and He is with us, and we are always united with Him so long as we believe in Him.
Task: Prayerfully read and meditate on John 1:1-18
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin 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! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, thank you for sending us Your Son, the Light of the world, the one who shines through the darkness of our world. Help us, by Your grace, to receive Him into our hearts and shine forth His life by selfless service, kindness, trust and confidence in the goodness that exists in each of us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Eternal Father, when everything else seems to be falling and crumbling around me, help me to fix my gaze on You as my light in the darkness, my canopy in the rains of affliction, my reassurance when in doubt, my calm in the chaos, my peace in the storm, my solid rock of faith. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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