Who do we Obey? God or People


Wednesday 2nd May 2019. Read Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34 and John 3:31-36


_*“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)*_

Despite the threats, the arrest and the oppression from the authorities, the apostles were determined not to stop the good work of proclaiming Jesus Christ in obedience to the divine mandate of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of all nations. The last line of this mandate is worth emphasising because it explains why the disciples were simply relentless. They kept reminding themselves of Jesus’ assurance: “I am with you always, to the end of the end of the age.”

A lot of times, I ask myself, “what if these disciples did not obey that mandate?” Can you imagine a world completely deprived of the message of Christ? And to think that proclaiming that message came with a huge price tag (their very lives), these disciples are really worth celebrating and emulating.

The truth is that it has not become easier even in today’s world to proclaim the Good News. The world has never known God and will always continue to threaten or obstruct anyone who tries to obey this Divine Mandate. Just as Peter and John were torn in between obeying God or obeying the Jewish authorities, we must never expect an easy ride.

Nevertheless, the world in which we live today is not one lacking the word of God but one lacking the doers of the word of God. Back in the days of the Apostles, it is absolutely necessary that they went from place to place talking about Jesus. Today, the world needs people who behave like Jesus, not just those who talk about Jesus.

In our Gospel passage today, Jesus says to Nicodemus. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the son shall not see life but the wrath of God rests upon him.” (John 3:36). In other words, there are dire consequences for refusing to believe in God and for disobeying Him.

The choice is ours to make as to who to disobey; whether to disobey men or to disobey God. If it comes to that point when we have to choose between God or people, let us remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Today, we remember St. Athanasius, a Bishop and one of the Doctors of the Church. As a young deacon, Athanasius accompanied Bishop Alexander to the council of Nicea and he spoke in support of the Divinity of Jesus Christ against the backdrop of the Arian heresy which was gaining grounds then. At the council of Nicea, the Bishops of the Church composed the Creed which holds what we believe. Athanasius who succeeded Alexander as Bishop would spend most of his life defending the Doctrine of the Divinity of Christ, a feat which cost him so much. Five times he was banished and seventeen years of his entire episcopate were spent in exile. Athanasius is also known as the father of Orthodoxy and Defender of the Faith.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my trust in your protection and grant that my very life would be a loud proclamation of the Gospel. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34 and John 3:31-36)

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