CONDEMNERS BROUGHT THE CONDEMNED TO
THE REDEEMER
(John 8:1-11)
The Gospel of today is an
interesting one. In it we saw how an enemy can bring one to his or her Saviour
without knowing. We see how someone who thinks he is being mean to you can end
up leading you to glory, victory and a favourable destiny. The men who brought
the woman to Jesus came to test Jesus. They caught the adulterous woman in the
act, but they needed to use her as a bait to get an innocent man, while the
guilty men were allowed to go. For them, this will be the last chance of Jesus,
it is going to be their only chance of arresting Jesus based on his wrong
judgment. But it turned out to be a lost chance for them and created an avenue
of second chance for the woman, whom Jesus told to go and sin no more.
Jesus turned out to be her only
redeemer, her last hope and indeed would not condemn her. But why do men put
God to the test? If men were God, they would have obliterated our names from
the good book of God. But "ebe Chineke gunyere anyi, onye gakwanu agupu
anyi?" No one can take away the everlasting life God has destined for
us. We have a Redeemer, a Saviour and a Deliverer who reconciles us with God.
Let us come as we are to God and sincerely be sorry for our sins. They are
nothing to his mercy. Let us not leave His presence the way we came. Let us keep
in mind His holy countenance. Let us appreciate His love and decide never more
to offend the God that loves us with so much tenderness.
But you that is always accusing
people even as the Lord watches you, how clean is your hand? Our life as
Christian should be that of assisting the fallen to rise. We should genuinely
bring sinners to God for forgiveness and not with the desire that they be
condemned. We should go within ourselves and purify our hearts of all forms of
uncleanness and sinfulness. We have to personalise this year's Lenten
observance. We should pray for forgiveness for the many times we put God to the
test and the times we led people into sin, accused them or wished the ruin of
their good names.
We have a Redeemer in Christ. He
will not condemn us nor allow the enemy of our salvation to do so. Let us not
live under the stranglehold and condemnation of the devil, of evil in us and in
the world around us.
Go, dear child of God and sin no
more.
LET US PRAY
Oh God of mercy and compassion,
thank You for Your love and kindness. A lot of forces drag me to You. All my
sins are open before You. I deserve condemnation and punishment. But You amaze
me with Your forgiveness and salvation. Help me by Your grace to live in the
state of grace and never more to sin against You again. May I appreciate the
chances You give me and never abuse them through Christ our Lord. Amen
God bless your Monday (5th Week
of Lent Yr B)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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