Bible
Study: Ezra 6, 7 to 8, 12, 14 to 20 and Luke 8, 19 to
21.
Nothing
gives as much joy to us humans as having a sense of belonging. This is why we
value our family ties. Family is a place where we are always welcome, a place
where we are perfectly understood, a place where we can rest our head knowing that
we are never alone. That is why we long to be home every day and when work
takes us far away, we long with nostalgia to be home again.
Jesus,
today makes us understand that apart from our physical family, there is another
family we belong to by virtue of our HEARING and ACTING on the WORD of God. As
he says to us, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God
and act on it.” Luke 8, 21.
Our
deepest motivation for keeping God’s commandment should be the understanding
that we are part of this beautiful family of Jesus. This accounts for the
feeling of restlessness we encounter each time we commit a sin. Our greatest source
of happiness as Christians is knowing that we are at peace with God and our
conscience is clear whenever we come before his presence. No wonder the
Psalmist sings: “I rejoice when I heard them say, let us go to God’s house.”
The church
is more than a mere building. It is our home. We should go to church to relax. As
Jesus says to us in Matthew 11, 28 to 29, “Come to me, all who labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from
me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Whenever you
feel burdened and troubled, please go home to church. Talk to Jesus, your
brother, ask Mary your mother, consult with the saints, they are your family. Never
make the mistake of going to a beer parlour, never try to seek solace in sinful
relationships, internet, television, worldly music or destructive media, such
things never get you relaxed but only increase your sorrow and multiply your
pain in the long run. Like the case of the Prodigal son, such things are pig-food
at their very best.
If your
brother is the Governor of a state, your manner of movement and public behaviour,
and even what you say becomes somewhat restricted. You don’t talk anyhow lest
you start making headlines. So it is with this special family where Jesus is
our brother and God is our father.
Let us
pray:
Lord
Jesus, help me to appreciate my identity as a member of your family and live
accordingly finding rest only in you. Amen.
Good evening.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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