Bible
Study: Revelations 10, 8 to 11 and Luke 19, 45 to 48.
As we continue our readings from the book of Revelations today, we come
across that part when John was given the scroll to eat. The scroll was sweet as
honey in his lips but very bitter inside his stomach. What could taste so sweet
in one’s mouth only to become bitter in the stomach? It is the word of God. It is
the TRUTH.
No wonder, the saying goes, “Truth is bitter.” Yes, truth is bitter but
what it does is always sweet. Truth is bitter but its bitterness like medicine
brings healing, life and eternal happiness. Jesus told us that He is the Way,
the Truth and the Life. When we come close to Jesus, we find the narrow way,
the path least travelled. As we move on this narrow way, we would become
disturbed by truth so as to help us wash away our imperfections and bring us to
true life in heaven.
Dear friends, as John ate the scroll, we are called to feed on God’s
word daily. Jesus himself said: “Man shall not live on bread alone but by every
word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Confer, Matthew 4, 4. Luke 4, 4 and Deuteronomy
8, 3.) Of course our feeding on everything that comes from the mouth of God
entails that we take in the painful aspects as well. As the book of Hebrews
confirms: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and
discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4, 12.
Modern day Christianity betrays the word of God by selecting and emphasizing
only those aspects of the Bible that are about promises of glory, well-being,
healing and abundance. Hence we now have Prosperity Gospel. The failing
Nigerian economy coupled with the overwhelming hardship in the land has indeed
led many preachers into feeding the people with only what they like to hear
rather than the TRUTH. And truth has to be bitter! We should hear the word and
feel bitterness in our stomach. Church should not become entertainment center!
Yes, the church should not become entertainment center. It shouldn’t be
a place that we go to have fun or feel good about ourselves. Unfortunately this
has become the case and you see Pastors of churches going to the extent of
inviting even comedians and secular musicians in the name of making worship
lively.
If Jesus was to visit our churches today like he did in today’s Gospel
passage, I bet there would be so much to throw away, so many buttocks to be
flogged and so many money-changers to be driven out. All because we are aiming
at entertainment, we have turned the church into a money-making enterprise. God
is no longer at the center of our worship, our focus is now on how people can
feel good. What a pity.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, may truth despite its bitterness never leave
our lips. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu
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