“HOLY SPIRIT, ENLIGHTEN AND SANCTIFY US”

⏰Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter (10 April 2018)

📕Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1abc, 1c-2, 5 (R.v.1a); John 3:7b-15

Do you really understand this drama between Jesus and Nicodemus? Consider what Jesus said to him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?” (John 3:10).

Notice that Jesus did not call Nicodemus a teacher of the Jews but Israel. Israel is the identity of the chosen people of God whereas Jews refer to a race. The Pharisees claim to uphold the Laws of Moses and save it from adulteration. The Laws and the Prophets are the major components of the Hebrew Bible which the Jews believe would lead them to God.

Hence we see the Johannine Irony (a major character of the Gospel of John) at play in Jesus’ question to Nicodemus above. Well, as we noted yesterday, the report that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night already points to the fact of him being in the darkness of knowledge.

As a teacher of the people of God, he ought to have known better about the things of God but he didn’t. But the message that Jesus came with is not a canal message but one that needs the Spirit for its articulation. Anyone who wants to understand must possess the Spirit.

We too are leaders of God’s people in our different capacities as Pastors, parents, civil leaders, school teachers, etc. People look up to us to lead them to the glory of God.

Unity and mutual love are some of the ways to give God that glory as we see from Acts 4:32-37.

Do you really understand what your role is? Do you rely on your human intelligence alone or have you asked for the assistance of the Holy Spirit?

May God assist us not to mislead the people who are looking up to us for guidance. Amen.

Have a fruitful day under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.