Thought for the Week: God’s Manifesto…

The leader’s debate – or the ‘Magnificent 7’ as they were cheekily called was a reminder that the general elections now only weeks away.  The media scrutiny of every word spoken and the body language of all seven were carefully analysed and there were no great surprises.   With no movement in the opinion polls that may well reflect the view in the country as a whole.  Then again there was nothing to encourage or dishearten any party and now with talk of a hung parliament and speculation on possible coalitions being formed even party loyalties are being brought into question as far as normal voting patterns are concerned.   The manifestos will soon be out and if we’re still undecided we’ll have to weigh up the claims and arguments and then exercise our democratic right to vote – the choice is ours.

God’s manifesto brought Jesus to Nazareth at the beginning of his ministry and was one of great compassion and love. He led the reading of the Scriptures in the synagogue from the book of Isaiah. ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed and to announce that the time has come when the Lord will save His people.

There has never been a greater and more dynamic manifesto.  Kingdom values and unending compassion for a lost world.  ‘Today in your hearing ‘ Jesus concluded ‘this scripture has come true’.  No one can force us to vote, and it’s a sure thing that God does not force us to believe.  He rather invites us to find in Jesus the love and inspiration that we too can share with others.  It is in believing that we move from darkness to light and from apathy to rejoicing, citizens of the Kingdom of God seeking always to do good and to share the love of God as citizens of His Kingdom.