4 April 2022
By Rev Kenneth Mtata
Readings of the day
• Psalm 20;
• Exodus 40:1-15;
• Hebrews 10:19-25
Verse of the day
"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching"
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
The early Church lived on the assumption that Jesus could come back anytime soon. This influenced the urgency and seriousness with which they took their faith. When Jesus did not come back, they did not need to adjust much since this way of life had proved effective in their internal Christian relationships and how they related to the world around them. From the Hebrews reading of the day, we draw lessons on some of the things they took very seriously in anticipation of the coming Day of the Lord.
First, they challenged and provoked each other to LOVE. Love was a powerful driving force for the early Church. Love was part of the greatest commands in the Old Testament but was taken a step further by the early Christians to be something that defined them, to be something that even distinguished them from those outside the Christian circles. In John 13:35, Jesus had taught that, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Love had become an identity marker for Christians.
Second, Christians encourage each other to do good DEEDS. Christians had deep faith or trust in God. From this faith outflowed concrete actions towards the realization of the kingdom of God or reign on earth. There were Christians who were satisfied only in belief without any active live. These are the ones that were challenged by letter of James when he said, “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14ff). Christians therefore encouraged each other to do those acts that would grow their own faith as well as grow God’s kingdom in the world, the kingdom of love, peace, justice, and abundant life for all people.
Third, Christians encourage each other not to neglect FELLOWSHIP or coming together. This was not only because in fellowship Christians had a chance to show each other love. It was also in Fellowship that Christians demonstrated the nature of God, that is, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this triune form, God is the best form of fellowship. His people would be like God if they held similar qualitative fellowship with one another. They needed good quality fellowship in their worship of God, in learning about God so that their faith in him would be strong, in sharing their experiences for mutual encouragement, and in praying with and for one another.
My brothers and sisters, these remain worthy things to encourage each other on, namely, love, good deeds and fellowship. May this Lent remind us God’s love for us in Christ Jesus, the love with which we must love one another. We are reminded that Jesus and the disciples were doers of the word, not mere hearers. Today we can enjoy fellowship virtually here on social media, but for it to bear fruits, it must also be face-to-face, hand to hand, eye to eye and shoulder to shoulder as we interact with each other. Fellowship is attractive when it is of high quality, so people do not feel like pushing themselves. May the Spirit of God be in our midst to make our interactions edifying.
Prayer,
God we pray today to gain the courage to provoke each other to love, good deeds and fellowship. Be at work in us so that love, good deeds and fellowship are fruits of our deep relationship with you.
In Jesus’ name we pray amen.
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