Read Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89 and John 13:16-20
“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him” (John 13:16).
One of the temptations Jesus faced was a temptation to pride. Satan told Jesus to jump down from the pinnacle of the temple in the presence of the people so that by so doing, God would send Angels to prevent him from crashing and people would begin to revere him assuming he fell from heaven to the earth.
This temptation remains forever rife among ministers of God today; it is the temptation to make ourselves appear likes gods; greater than the ordinary. It is a temptation to make people believe we are closer to God and so, therefore, higher, more important, more sophisticated, more intelligent, wiser than other human beings.
This is why we often see videos emerging on social media containing abuses being carried out by men and women of God in the name of deliverance or miracle impartation. Some stepping on people’s bodies, some forcing people to drink bleach, eat grass or swallow raw animals and so on.
We are not seeing these anymore due to the pandemic and the very fact that such videos emerged have made many question why such powers they claimed to possess are not being used to solve the pandemic today.
One of the fruits of the current situation would be a deeper sense of humility amongst God’s ministers and highly acclaimed healers. As Jesus puts it in today’s Gospel passage: “a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:16-17).In our first reading today, we hear Paul preach for the first time since his conversion. Will a man who once hated Christianity with a passion suddenly turn around and start preaching about Jesus? It simply shows us that it is the power of God at work.
Dear friends, all glory should go to the Master, not the servant. Jesus’ advice to His ministers remain forever valid: “So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10)
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, instil in me the virtue of humility and service. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89 and John 13:16-20).
Fr. Abu