May 7, 2020
Thursday for the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading Dem for Today
Listen for English
After Jesus don wash the disciple dem their feet, E tell dem: “Amen, amen, I dey tell una, no slave big pass im oga, and no messenger big pass the person wey send am.” John 13:16
If we look the deeper meaning of these words, we go hear Jesus dey tell us two things. First, e good make we see ourselves as God Im slave dem and messenger dem, and second, make we always give God the glory. These na important things wey we suppose put for practice for our spiritual life. Make we look the two of dem.
Normally, to be “slave” no be something wey person go really want. For this our time, we no too sabi slavery like people for past, but slavery na real thing, and e don cause serious harm throughout the history of our world, for plenty cultures and for different times. The worst part of slavery na the wicked way wey dem dey treat slave dem. Dem dey treat dem like things and property, and this one dey completely against the dignity wey dem get as human beings.
But think of one situation where person na slave to somebody wey love am perfectly, and wey im main mission na to help that “slave” become all wey e truly fit become and find fulfilment for life. For this kind situation, the oga go “command” the slave make e accept love and happiness, and e no go ever do anything wey go go against the slave im dignity as human being.
Na so e be with God. Make we no ever fear to be God Im slave. Even though this kind talk fit remind us of how dem don abuse human dignity for past, to be God Im slave suppose be our goal. Why? Because na God we suppose want as our Oga. In fact, we suppose want God as our Oga even more than we want to be our own oga. God go treat us better than we dey treat ourselves! E go direct us to live perfect life of holiness and happiness, and we go humbly submit to Im divine will. On top of that, E go give us everything wey we need to carry out all wetin E direct us to do, if we allow Am. To be “God Im slave” na good thing, and e suppose be our goal for life.
As we dey grow for how we fit allow God take control of our life, we must also dey always get the mind to thank and praise God for everything wey E dey do inside us. We must give Am all the glory because E allow us share for Im mission and because na Im send us to fulfil Im will. E big pass us for every way, but E still want make we share for that greatness and glory. So, the good news be say when we glorify and thank God for everything wey E dey do inside us, and for everything wey Im law and command dem require, God go lift us up make we take part and share for Im glory! This na one fruit of Christian life wey dey bless us pass anything wey we fit ever think up by ourselves.
Today, think well about how you go allow yourself become God Im slave completely and submit to Im will. That commitment go put you for road wey go bring you great joy.
Lord, I submit myself to every command wey You give. Make Your will happen inside me, and na only Your will. I choose You as my Oga for everything, and I trust the perfect love wey You get for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
