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03.04.2020 Feature Article

Stand Firm With The Lord!!

Stand Firm With The Lord!!
03.04.2020 LISTEN

“Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” …. After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”” (John 6:60-67 RSV).

Jesus Christ was perhaps the most popular person during his three-year ministry on earth. Everywhere he went, large crowds followed him. And he did not disappoint them with his personality, miracles, and message of salvation. Among other things, he healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, fed at least five thousand people on one occasion, and preached the good news of salvation through his death on the cross and resurrection from death.

The political leaders were confused about him. The priests and other religious leaders did not know what to do with him, but followed him from a distance, always eager to hear or see what he would say or do. Some were curious; others were inquisitive; and some set traps for him to see how they could catch him saying or doing things they considered as violations of their religious or traditional laws. In essence, everyone, including those who did not particularly like him, drew closer to him, and not away from him.

However, that situation changed for a moment when his teachings got tougher even for some of his own disciples to understand or accept. It started when Jesus said that he was the bread of life sent from heaven and that anyone who came to him would not go hungry or thirsty. He went further to explain how he would sacrifice his life by death on the cross; that those who wanted to be part of his kingdom would have to partake of his flesh and blood; and that no one could come to him unless his Father had enabled that person. It became too much for some of the disciples and they chose to desert him. (John 6:25-69). Jesus then turned to the twelve disciples and asked, “Do you also wish to go away?” (John 6:67 RSV).

The disciples who deserted Jesus did not understand the spiritual message he was conveying. They must have thought that Jesus was speaking about his literal flesh and blood. They did not have the patience to find out more from Jesus. Like some of the disciples, what is going on currently is too complicated and scary for us to understand. Many are looking to God for answers that do not appear to be forthcoming, and some are anxiously looking everywhere for answers and solutions to immediate pressing problems, including the possibility of death.

We should not desert the Lord the way some of the other disciples did on that occasion. This is the time for us to stand firm with the Lord like the twelve disciples did. Simon Peter’s response to Jesus is a good model for us. Peter answered Jesus, “Lord, to whom, shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69).

Lord, to whom shall we go? We shall go to Jesus, “the Holy One of God.” We have no better person or place to go to than to stand by faith with the Lord. Those who lose patience with the Lord and seek quick answers to complicated matters may find them in the wrong places and end up with more problems than they had before. As Peter rightly said, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. We have believed in Jesus and we should continue to stand firm with him no matter the storm. Touching on the words of eternal life, Jesus says, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 RSV). For example, trying to save our lives at all costs may be too costly if we place our trust in other gods and miss our place in the Kingdom of Heaven. We should stand firm with Jesus now so that he, too, will stand firm with us now and forever.

We should continue to have courage and take comfort from the Holy Bible. Writing from prison in Rome to the Church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Christians to rejoice in the Lord always, that the Lord was near, and that they should not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, they should present their requests to God. (Philippians 4:4-6).

This is a timely advice for our present situation. Whenever we feel sad about what is going on, we should turn our sadness into joy. Whenever we are afraid or feel anxious about what is going on, we should turn our fear or anxiety into prayer with thanksgiving. May the peace of God which passes all human understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Prayer is the key. May God grant us the grace to seek Him daily through our prayers.

Dr. Daniel Gyebi, Attorney-at-Law, Texas, U.S.A., and Founder, PrayerHouse Ministry, Kumasi, Ghana.

PrayerHouse Ministry is dedicated to providing a quiet facility for Christians to pray individually by themselves without any intermediary priest, pastor or any other person. This is a free service. No money is demanded or accepted. One facility is located at Kyerekrom / Fumesua, near Building and Road Research Institute Offices, one mile off the Kumasi-Accra Road and next to a house called Grace Castle. If you are interested, please contact Agnes at 054-7498653. Another is located at Kantinkyiren, at the junction of Kantinkyiren and Konkori, off the Kumasi-Obuasi Road, branching left at Trede junction. Contact Kwadwo at 020-8768461 / 0246-989413.

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