02/01/2024
Evening of 02-01-2024
John 5:41-6:15
Do You Have the Love of God in Your Heart?
John recounts how Jesus bluntly points out that he does not accept praise from those around him because they do not have the love of God in their hearts. Later on, Jesus shows deep concern for the crowds by performing a miracle multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed them.
Human beings look at the outward appearance and actions but God looks at the heart. Despite the pious nature of those coming around him, Jesus has a panoramic view of their hearts and declares without mincing words that they lack the love of God in their hearts and they do not believe in God.
Are we any different from the crowds Jesus addresses in this text? We may be so pious and religious in the eyes of the world but do we really have the love of God in our hearts? We can pretend before human beings but God sees us through and through. We cannot hide anything from God so let us stop trying to deceive ourselves if we lack the love of God in our hearts. Yes, when we reconsider some of the things we do, we can clearly see that we lack the love of God in our hearts because if we truly love him, we will love what he loves and hate what he hates.
Jesus’ deep concern to satisfy they hunger of the crowds is a pointer to the holistic nature of God’s mission. The church must not only concentrate on the spiritual lives of Christians and neglect their physical needs. Yes, our God is an all-round God and cares about every aspect of our lives. We cannot preach the gospel to hungry people. Let us also satisfy their physical hunger as we seek to satisfy their hunger and thirst for righteousness. The church needs to do more in terms of social diakonia because people understand the language of kindness better than eloquent sermonising. Yes, it is not every day that we should ask for seeds. Let us also ensure that those we evangelise are well taken care of in other aspects besides spirituality.
Prayer: Lord God, search our hearts and point out to us the true nature of our hearts so that we may sit up and love you more than ever before. Let your love consume our hearts so that we may care for the material and spiritual needs of your people in the name of Jesus Christ your expression of love to humankind, Amen.
Awudu Mama Terence Eyong (Rev.)
