The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 August 2021 – Be Comforted
Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES
TOPIC: Be Comforted
Read: John 5:16-23 (NKJV)
- For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
- But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
- Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
- Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
- “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
- “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to [them,] even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
- “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
- “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
THE MESSAGE:
The Jews persecuted Jesus Christ despite the miracles He did among them. They even took offence at Him because He performed miracles on the Sabbath. They were not also pleased with him because He claimed to be equal with God and was united with God in purpose and action. These offended their rules and beliefs. They were blinded to Jesus’ mission and miracles. To them, He deserved to die. They did not see His worth; all they sought for was a fault, which they could not find.
Jesus Christ says: “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord” (Matthew 10.24). If Christians are to enjoy the glory and power of God, they will also partake in His persecution experience. It grieves the heart when one’s contribution is met with condemnation instead of commendation. In situations like this, we should be comforted in the fact that, no matter how hard our experience might be, Jesus Christ has been through it all – He is able to help us!
PRAYER: O Lord, grant me strength to be faithful to You; make me strong and unbending in the face of persecution and opposition. Amen.
