March 28, 2020
Saturday for the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings for Today
Listen for English
The guard dem answer, “Nobody don ever talk like this man before.” John 7:46
The guard dem and plenty other people get deep wonder and respect for Jesus; the words wey E talk amaze dem. Na the chief priest dem and Pharisee dem order make the guard dem go arrest Jesus, but their mind no gree make dem arrest Am. The deep wonder and respect wey Jesus make dem feel leave dem without power to act.
When Jesus dey teach, E dey pass something wey go beyond His words. Yes, His words get power and dey change people, but na also the way wey E take talk. E hard to explain, but e clear say, when E talk, E also dey make people feel power, calm, strong assurance and His presence. E dey make dem feel His Divine Presence, and dem no fit mistake am for anything else. People just know say this man Jesus different from all the others, and dem dey listen well to every word wey E talk.
God still dey communicate with us this way. Jesus still dey speak to us in this way wey dey fill us with deep wonder and respect. We just need to pay attention to am. Make we try hard to pay attention to the ways wey God dey speak clearly and convincingly, with authority, clarity and strong assurance. E fit be something wey person talk, or something wey another person do wey touch our heart. E fit be book wey we read, or sermon wey we listen to. Whatever the case be, make we look for this deep wonder and respect, because na there we go find Jesus Himself.
One interesting thing be say, this deep wonder and respect still bring very harsh criticism. People wey get simple and honest faith respond well, but people wey dey think only about themselves and believe say na dem righteous pass respond with condemnation and anger. E clear say dem jealous. Dem even dey find fault with the guard dem and other people wey Jesus impress.
Today, reflect on the ways wey God don make you feel deep wonder and respect for His message and His love. Seek His Voice wey dey speak clearly and with strong assurance. Pay close attention to the way wey God dey try to communicate, and no mind the mockery and criticism wey you fit face when you try to follow His Voice. Na His Voice must prevail and draw you close, so that you fit take in and enjoy everything wey E want talk.
Lord, make I pay attention to Your Voice wey I no fit mistake for another voice, and to the authority wey You take speak. Make everything wey You want talk amaze me. And as I dey listen to You, dear Lord, give me courage to respond with faith, no matter how other people react. I love You, dear Lord, and I want make every Word wey You talk hold all my attention, as I dey listen with wonder and deep respect. Jesus, na You I trust.
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Picture: Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisee Dem and the Herodian Dem Plot Against Jesus, James Tissot
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