Monday 11th
May 2020. Read Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115 and John 14:21-26.
“He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him
and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
Today’s first reading is full of mixed feelings. First, we see a freighted
Paul and Barnabas fleeing for their lives upon hearing a rumour that a combined
team of the Gentiles and the Jews were planning to molest them and stone them.
Wonder what happened to their faith? Why did they not remain and gladly suffer
the persecution that was on its way? Simply put, they were fully human.
On the other hand, the same Paul and Barnabas who fled from
Iconium found themselves in Lystra preaching the Gospel. There they noticed a
cripple who could not use his feet from birth and seeing that this man had faith,
Paul said to him: “Stand upright on your feet.” This, he did and immediately
Paul and Barnabas were taken to be gods in the midst of men.
In fact, the priest Zeus brought out oxen and garlands intending
to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (the same men who ran for their dear
lives in Iconium). To the people of Lystra, Paul and Barnabas had just done
something only God can do so they deserved to be worshipped. In truth, God had
simply worked through Paul and Barnabas but the people were not ready to take
this.
Funny enough, this is exactly what is happening in our society
today whereby our men of God are idolized and worshipped. You may wonder, “There
must have been something special about Paul and Barnabas, otherwise, how were
they able to work that miracle?” Jesus gives us the secret in today’s Gospel
passage: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our home in him.” (John 14:23).
This is how it works, when we love Jesus and express this love
by keeping His commandments, God reciprocates this love by coming to dwell
inside of us. So long as God is living inside of us, we would begin to do great
works. Jesus said it: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will
also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I
go to the Father.” (John 14:12)
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, draw me nearer to you every day. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God
bless you. (Monday of the 5th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 14:5-18, Psalm
115 and John 14:21-26).
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