Introduction
‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.’ John 10:10-15
The lyrics of the hymn written by T.C. O’Kane entitled ‘There stands a rock’ emphasizes that the hope of the Christian is on the rock that shall stand forever though some people build their hopes on the ever-drifting sand while some build theirs on their fame or their treasure or their land. Indeed, most people often think that these transient items give joy but the wisdom from above instructs us otherwise.
A number of Christians often put up sad countenances thinking that a true Christian life is one devoid of joy. There is certainly a world of difference between being self-controlled and being sad.
A self-controlled life is one which is based on sound principles of love, justice, mercy and faithfulness in obedience to the will of the Master. It is one which puts God first and seeks as a priority, His Kingdom and righteousness. From this viewpoint, Christians ought to be the happiest people on earth.
A sad life is one without Christ. Jesus came to give us abundant life. An abundant life in Christ is certainly not a sad one. In the beatitudes, our Lord pronounced blessedness (or happiness) on us when we do His glorious will.
He succinctly encapsulates the beatitudes in Matthew 5:12a when He declares: ‘Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven ……’ There is no better reason to be joyful in this world than the truth that we have a great reward in heaven which has been made possible by Christ’s redemptive work. Praise God!
‘Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ Matthew 5:1-12
Prayer
Our dear God and Father, we are thankful for the hope to live with You eternally. May we love You more and more and be faithful to You till the end in the precious name of Christ.
