MCK THIKA SUNDAY SERVICE ON 03/05/2020

THEME: IN HIS STEPS

READNGS: Psalms 23

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

The new normal is here with us. Someone may say that it is the old normal we are returning to which we deviated from. Whether it is new normal or reviving the real normal we must be prepared to face the world as it is changing slowly before our own eyes. The challenge we are facing with COVID-19 and other emerging issues in our society requires us to seek to know where the rains started beating us. As we do this, we must be cognizant to the fact that things cannot return to where they were then but adopt to new value systems brought about by societal developments.

The Bleeding earth.

Last Sunday we were faced with the fear, anxiety, confusion that the disciples and early believers face. Christ introduces a new normal to them but in essence he wanted them realize they left the right path and were on their own. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5;17). True faith is

What would Jesus do in our place today. From the hymn by Luther ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God’ it “for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.” Thus, we are Christ’s right-hand men and women. We reflect his work and mission to the whole of the world. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) see also Ephesians 6:18-20.   

Many of us can agree that we are living in a choking environment, environmentally, ideologically, politically, socially, economically, and funny enough theologically. I mention theologically because in the last two decade we have see the unprecedented rise of heretical teachings and misrepresentation of the Christian doctrines and values. Christians have also neglect faith and practice and turned to superficial gospel of ‘miracles’, ‘breaking curses’, ‘anointing’, ‘papa and mama’, ‘panda mbegu’, material prosperity. The vacuum that is left is the product of corruption, mental breakdown, murder and killings, rape and sexual exploitations, modern day slavery.

What would Jesus do?

Christ is born into a world that was choking like we are today. He preaches the good news and practices what it says. He urges his disciples to do like wise days without an end. “… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Christ’s death was designed not only for an example of patience under suffering but he bore our sins, he bore the punishment of us and thereby satisfying divine justice. He is therefore the Lord and the only lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He is the true shepherd who leads to the right paths no matter the challenges along way. He does not leave nor forsake the sheep at all times and circumstances. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

The suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ was not passive and purposeless but was a deliberate sacrifice of himself for the sake and benefit of others. “He himself bore sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24).

Brothers and sisters the greatness of a person is not who s/he is but what s/he has been given to do. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). We should always ask ourselves whether our servanthood or suffering is benefiting others or its merely showoff, an opportunity to make name of ourselves, or we are being exploited by others with nothing to show at the end of it all.

Our greatness lies in that God choose us to be his servants for his good works to all in the globe. We are therefore, servants of the Most-High and our actions must show Christ and his service to all whether they are significant, small, great and mighty. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40).