“IT IS THE LORD !”
GOSPEL READING : John 21. 1 – 9

In many African countries and in Burundi of course, cattle robbery is a frequent habit conducted by many false animal dealers. Usually, stolen animals are re-sold a few days later at one or the other of the well-known markets. So, when one is victim of such a theft, these markets are the first targeted places for any investigations. The following true story happened at the animal market close to Gitega town in Burundi a couple of years ago.

Thieves stole two goats at night from a family goat shed which had a total of eight goats but they didn’t take the goats’ kids as well. The owner could not realize the theft until the next day when opening for his goats to be taken out to pasture. His neighbours told him not to worry except in case his goats would have been slaughtered, because they would be easily found sold at the animal market in Gitega which is open every Mondays. They even advised him to take to the market all the 6 goats’ kids he had and just stand at the main entrance where all the beasts for sale are brought in. And so the man did.

Early the next Monday, he was at the market with his six goats’ kids standing at the entrance. Many cows along with sheep were brought in. Then arrived the group of goats. Every time that goats passed nearby they bleat and the kids goats ran to them but were seriously butt and driven back by them. Finally, a trader arrived at the market bringing two goats. They also bleat and all the six kids goats rushed to them. Then four among them were seriously butt and driven out while two others were accepted each one by a mother-goat allowing them access to their teats. Immediately, the man cried appealing for help from the people in the market and the thief was arrested simply because the two kids goats recognized their mothers and were accepted by them. No additional proofs nor extra witnesses were needed.

Now, one question: why didn’t Jesus’ disciples recognize Him at first sight? Why didn’t they recognize Him at least from His kind, humble and loving voice? Hadn’t He said some time earlier: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NIV)? Only the beloved disciple, John, the great analyst observing deeply the man with whom he had walked and lived for three and a half years, the One he had listened to carefully and seen crucified, the One he had heard crying “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”. He recognized immediately the Shepherd’s voice and certainly found a second proof from the print of the nails in His hands, just as American Christian Author Fanny J. Crosby wrote this wonderful poem “My Saviour First Of All”, from which John Sweney made a fantastic Church Hymn :

When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

And so John said to Peter, “IT IS THE LORD, YES, IT IS THE LORD!”. Bishop Justin grew up at an American Missionary Station in Bujumbura the capital of Burundi where his father first worked as a cook for them. He used to come back home around 7:30 or 8:00 PM. Other people could pass nearby at those hours but the difference was that whenever he came, earlier or later, Dad was whistling a well-known Christian hymn “At the gates” and all of us the children at home rushed to the door saying: “It’s him! It’s him!”

Yes, dear Brethren, whenever the poor hungry knocks at our door requesting for some food, It is the Lord visiting us! Yes, it’s Him! Whenever the naked ones suffer under the bitterly cold without a single blanket, It is the Lord appealing for our Christian love to act! Yes, it’s Him! Whenever LOVE stands up courageously to respond to all these cries of refugees and orphans and widows and the rejected ones as you have done it and are still doing it, It is the Lord moving through His faithful servants to rescue the world! Yes, it’s Him! Let us believe it. Many blessings for your unwavering LOVE!

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog