A MANIFESTO NIGHT: Devotion for Wednesday
September 7, 2016
Text: Luke 4:18 and 19 Memory verse: Luke 4:18
In the higher institutions,
there is a night called Manifesto Night. It is the night when candidates
intending to contest election into Student Union Government offices present
their manifesto to fellow students. I can still remember how I did it when I
was in ordination training. My speech was borrowed by my successor because of
the content. It was indeed thrilling. Many students look forward to such nights
and it affords them the opportunity to make public speeches and presentations.
It is usually a learning ground for those who aspire to hold public offices in
future.
Our text is termed Jesus’
public presentation of His manifesto. A comprehensive look at the text, will
make us to appreciate the magnitude of God’s love for us (Ephesians 3:17–19). Everything
in this manifesto as presented by Jesus Christ had the interest of man at the
centre. He did not come to be crowned a king. Even when people wanted to do it
by force, He withdrew. His agenda was not
to acquire empire, wealth or material things of this world. Rather His
manifesto was based on liberation and freedom of man.
During campaigns into some
offices like spiritual, traditional or political, people make so many promises.
The present manifestoes that can move people easily to accept them. On the
other hand, many aspire for positions just for selfish reasons. It is pertinent
to ask this question to those aspiring to be in different office. What is your
agenda/manifesto for contesting to be a bishop, a Local Government Chairman,
Governor, President or whatever position you are aspiring for? Are you aspiring
for the good of the people or for selfish interest?
Jesus quoted this text from
Isaiah 61:1 & 2a. Have you ever imagined why Jesus stopped at Isaiah 61:2a?
His first coming wasn’t for vengeance but for redemption. Vengeance will be
later. This is the era of God’s favour; the era of grace, mercies and call to
repentance. Jesus came to give us the Good News that our sins have been
forgiven, to heal us, deliver us from oppressions, etc. Have you benefited of
these? If not repent now because the day of vengeance is coming (Isaiah 61:2b).
Food for Thought: Are you a beneficiary of
what Jesus has offered mankind?
Prayer: Grant
me the heart to appreciate your love, O Lord so that I will benefit from all
that you have offered mankind.
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