Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit: 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mathew 5:3(KJV)

Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount seems to be a collection of paradoxical statements. The way God expects us to live our lives often seems to contradict the ways of the world. Each beatitude reveals to us how God blesses us for following the spiritual code ingrained in us all. God blesses us to experience God’s love, joy and peace despite our outward circumstances. To be poor in spirit is to be humble, realizing, as we draw closer to God, that we are unable to measure up to the greatness of His Spirit. People who are not poor in spirit are those who feel no need for God, but are often haughty, dominating and proud. In the eyes of the world to be ‘poor’ in anything is frowned upon. They believe that their achievements are a result of their own efforts. In truth it is only Jesus who exemplified this beatitudes in his life (Philippians 2:1-11). Jesus’s coming to earth was the ultimate example of voluntary sacrifice to make oneself poor in spirit, by giving up His glory above to come and live with us and to die for all of us at the hands of some wicked and foolish people. 

There are many who embrace poverty by their free will, like St. Francis and Mother Teresa who have been exceptional examples. Mother Teresa said, “The spiritual poverty of the World is much greater than the physical poverty of our people.” She felt spiritually empowered by the Spirit of a loving nourishing God working in her life and ministry that her own physical needs for riches and glory were of less consequence. The World suffers from loneliness and emptiness which their riches and glory could never satisfy. These saints of God gave up everything, made their spirits poor, and were strengthened by the grace of God that made them remarkable instruments reaching out to the poor and needy. They were able to bring the Spirit of Christ to touch the hearts of the poor and suffering with love and compassion.

When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane he was going through a phase of feeling downcast, and he was desperately seeking comfort in the Spirit of God. But Jesus did not have any problem asking for the prayers of his disciples. He asked his disciples to watch and pray. When Jesus prayed droplets like blood flowed down his face. Was his flesh under great conflict with his spirit that wanted to do the will of God? Was he drained spiritually and physically? How would he have felt spiritually when his disciples fell fast asleep when he felt this tremendous burden upon him? When heavy burdens are laid on our spirits we suddenly realize our poorness in spirit and the need for Jesus to renew and strengthen us. We are poor in Spirit when we realize without Jesus’s death and resurrection we can never be part of the Kingdom of God.

 It is our poorness in spirit that attracts us to our Lord and Savior. John 4:24 clearly says that God is spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. When we approach the Holy Spirit, we realize how spiritually poor we are and we humbly ask for strength to live fruitful spiritual lives. We realize our desperate need for God. We realize we are really in no position to offer God anything, but whatever we receive is a gift from him. In Acts 1:8 the disciples were told to wait until they received the Holy Spirit. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit they would be empowered to be witnesses of God to the ends of the earth. We have become poor in spirit when we realize that without the Holy Spirit we are spiritually poor and incapable of living godly lives. Our poorness in spirit cannot be fully measured by any standards established by people, but only by those set by Christ. 

The Kingdom of God is structured in a way where love, joy, peace, humility and self- sacrifice are glorified. The world glorifies beauty, power, and wealth. But when we come to God in poorness of spirit, in some miraculous way we are able to pass through the eye of the needle easily and enter into the Kingdom of God. Christ has bestowed on us our citizenship in heaven even before we are dead (Philippians 3:20-21). This means the kingdom of God is not just the kingdom of the dead but of the living as well. Jesus our King did not come to establish a physical kingdom on earth but a spiritual kingdom that stretched from earth to heaven. In spirit we are all part of the kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we come to you in faith and humility knowing that it is only by your grace and mercy we can be part fo your Kingdom. We thank you for your love for us and your invitation to be part of your Kingdom. Thank you for blessing us with your presence which fills us with so much of love, joy and peace. Amen.

Close to the Heart of God

A single day in your courts is better than 

A thousand anywhere else! 

I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God 

Than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84:10‬ ‭

Reading : Matthew 5:1-12 

When Jesus started his ministry he was widely popular. His ministry had started gathering a large following. Jesus had healed many people from all kinds of sicknesses. Sick people came to him from all over the country side. Large crowds were following him wherever he went. He traveled throughout Galilee spreading the good news. His message was pretty clear and simple - he was asking the people to repent - turn away from their sins and to turn to God. He told them to have a complete change in their attitude to life. 

 This message is still equally applicable today. Christ wants us to not pursue a lifestyle that will eventually destroy us, but to pursue one that will eventually draw us closer to the heart of God and give us hope, joy and peace with God. He was showing us how to find true happiness through faithful obedience of the heart. Those who draw near to God, God will draw near to them.

 In the midst of this potentially large ministry where Jesus could have become a prosperous and prominent leader, he called his disciples aside and expounded the beatitudes to them. (Mathew 5:1-12) He told them not to be carried away by the ways of the world but as his followers they had a different path to follow. He wants them to be beacons of light in word and deed to his followers. The Beatitudes were Christ’s rules of life to live by for his disciples. He told them that those who were closest to the heart of God were those who were most dependent on God’s will in their lives. 

The word blessed means to be happy. Where do we derive our happiness? Jesus ascribed happiness to people who faced hunger, mourning, rejection, ridicule, falsel accusations, and death because they remained faithful to God and stood for truth, equality and justice. The blessings can also be our attitudes. Paul describes it as our mindset (Be- Attitudes - Philippians 2:5). Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Mahatma Gandhi are some of the world leaders in our recent past who greatly admired the beatitudes expounded by Jesus and fought for the rights of the poor and downtrodden.They had to pay a heavy price. 

 Jesus’s  views were in many ways countercultural. They challenged the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He exalted those who were poor in the eyes of the world. The disciples had proved their faith and dependence on Jesus, when they dropped everything they were doing to follow him. They really owned nothing in the world, but had access to everything that God could offer them through Jesus. 

 Some of the early fathers of our faith saw the beatitudes as a ladder. We start with the first beatitude as the lowest rung and start climbing upwards. The beatitudes can be seen as a journey taken step by step. We cannot stake claim to one spiritual attribute here and reject another one there. It is to be viewed as a whole and not dissected into different parts. Initially most of the teachings of Christ did not make sense to the disciples. But after the brutal crucifixion and death of Christ, they started seeing his teachings in the light of his life as a suffering servant and son of God. 

 As Christ’s disciples what are the things we aspire for? What is our hearts desire? What are the comforts that we can’t go without? Do we aspire for wealth, power and prestige more than we do to draw near to the heart of God?

Hymn :

1. There is a place of quiet rest,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where sin cannot molest,
   Near to the heart of God.
   • Refrain:
     O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
     Sent from the heart of God;
     Hold us, who wait before Thee,
     Near to the heart of God.
2. There is a place of comfort sweet,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where we our Savior meet,
   Near to the heart of God.
3. There is a place of full release,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where all is joy and peace,
   Near to the heart of God.

Author of the Hymn - Cleland B. McAfee, 1903

Disciples to Apostles

Reading: John 20:19-29

The disciples’ of Jesus were living in fear that they may get arrested, tortured or crucified. They had witnessed his brutal execution. Jesus had been a dynamic public figure and they had accompanied him on most occasions when he ministered to the people. Many had seen them as his disciples. Peter’s encounters at the trial and how people easily recognized him had probably set off an alarm that they were sitting ducks. Could they have still been recovering from Judas' cold blooded betrayal and death? 

Jesus was the son of a poor carpenter. None of His disciples were scholars or holy men. They were simple ordinary people who were mainly fishermen, one an unethical tax collector, and one a political fanatic who killed himself after betraying Jesus. However Jesus saw them as having the full potential of being strong witnesses for him. Was Jesus looking for disciples who would give up everything and follow Him? Was Jesus looking for disciples who could identify themselves with the poor and needy? The disciples had been with Jesus for three years of his ministry and had learned to live with limited means and in the most unlikely places. Jesus had said, “Foxes have holes and the birds have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” They had dropped everything to follow him. For three years they had held on to every word that Jesus said and did. They had blindly followed him everywhere he went. 

But this was a time when any association with Jesus could mean imprisonment or maybe even death. They had spent time with Jesus, but had lost all courage after they saw how brutally he had died. They lived in fear and doubt. Threat of death can be paralyzing. Had Jesus’ three years with the disciples all been a waste of time? They were so weak, that without the presence of Jesus they really felt crippled. They could not believe that Christ had risen from the dead. Even when the women came and told them they had seen the Lord they continued to live in fear. They were unwilling to trust anyone. After all one of their own closest comrades had maliciously betrayed their master and friend. 

Then all of a sudden Christ appeared before them! His first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” It must have been such a relief for them to see him again – to see Christ at last right before them, in his newly resurrected body. Their fears had finally found an outlet. Christ had at last brought them peace. He had meant everything to them. He was their leader, teacher and guide. He was their God. To see him was a huge watershed in their lives. Then He proceeded to show where the nails pierced His hands and the spear pierced His side. They saw and believed. 

He breathed his Holy Spirit into them and gave them the power to forgive other peoples sins. He empowered them to go out and to be witnesses to all giving them powers to heal, pray, and preach the good news to everyone everywhere. 

One of the disciples, Thomas, did not believe the disciples when they said that they had seen Jesus. He was full of doubts. He told them that he wouldn’t believe unless he saw and touched the nail-pierced hands and the wound on his side. Eight days later, as the disciples were again bolted in a room, Jesus appeared before them. He spoke directly to Thomas and told him, “Put your fingers on my hands and see the scars of the nail, touch the sides of my body and feel the scars. Now do you believe Thomas? Blessed are those who will never see me, yet will believe.” 

If Jesus had not returned and spent time with his disciples, surely they would have all been scattered. They would have become like lost sheep without a shepherd. Christ had to come back to them. He reassured them that they did not need His physical presence, but that the Holy Spirit would always be with them. 

Did they need this assurance of the resurrected Christ to go on to spread the gospel message? After they met with the resurrected Christ they were not the same men anymore. From Disciples of Christ they later became known as the Apostles of Christ. They had physically and spiritually been touched by Christ and the Holy Spirit. From then on they were not afraid anymore. Like David they were convinced that even if they died they would not rot in their graves. There was another life waiting that was much better than the one they were living. It was a life where they would be reunited with their master, savior and king. Christ had promised them that he was going ahead to prepare a place for them in heaven. To them death had lost its sting. 

The Apostles now knew that with the Spirit of Christ within them, they could go anywhere and be faithful witnesses to the Gospel message. Christ had promised to be with them always. So began the Acts of the Apostles, where they spread Christianity into all the world, built and established churches, and converted countless number of people to become Disciples of Christ. The Apostles were crucified, speared to death, or killed in some other brutal manner; except for John who went into exile for his faith and died of old age. The Gospels and the Letters of the Apostles continue to be a source of inspiration for the millions of Christians all over the world. Generation after generation, century after century Christians read and rejoice in the word of God that was written by these men of faith who lived, and were martyred for, the spread of the gospel. As Christians we await Christ's second coming - not as a suffering servant, but in power and majesty - when he will establish a world of peace.

Road to Emmaus

Gang nach Emmaus, Gemalde vin Robert Zund 1877

Reading - Luke 24:13-35

They asked each other

Were not our hearts burning within us

While he talked with us on the road

And opened the Scriptures to us?

Luke 24:32

Jesus met two of his followers who were traveling along the road to Emmaus, going away from Jerusalem thoroughly disheartened over the series of macabre events that had taken place. Jesus joined them in their travel. He asked them why they were so sad and dejected. They were so overwhelmed with sorrow that they could not see that they were walking and talking with Jesus. They looked at Jesus strangely and asked him if he was new to the area. They said that a great teacher, admired by God and men had been arrested, crucified and buried. They had thought he was the Messiah, but he had been brutally killed. Do we see Jesus only as a good teacher but not the Messiah? The travelers had heard that some of the believers had found the tomb empty and had said that Jesus had risen from the dead. 

 Jesus looked at them in wonder. Here were two men who had heard the Good news that the angels proclaimed, “Jesus is alive,” but they had decided that it was unlikely. They were going away toward Emmaus dejected and sad. Did they realize they were walking away toward the sunset with Jesus by their side, in the wrong direction? To them the Son of God was dead. How many of us hear the good news yet turn our backs to the truth and walk away because we find it inconceivable? Do we encounter Christ on our life journeys but do not recognize him because of our own spiritual blindness? Jesus called them foolish people. He asked them if they found it hard to believe in the prophets? He reminded them that the prophets had said that the Messiah had to suffer before being crowned King. 

Then Jesus quoted passages from Moses' writings, and all the prophets, elucidating to them what the scriptures had to say. Could Jesus have been referring to God’s promise to Abraham that through him the entire world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3)? Was it not Jesus’ coming, being a blessing to the world, that God was referring to here? Could Jesus have referred to Psalm 2, used for the coronation of the kings of Israel and could also be applied to the coronation of the Messiah as King of Heaven and Earth? David clearly foresaw a relationship between a father and son, in God and the Messiah? Did Jesus refer to his encounter with the Pharisees in Mathew 22:41-46, when the Jesus asked Pharisees, “Whose son is the Messiah?” They replied He was David’s son. But when Jesus asked them why David referred to him as Lord in Psalm 110:1, they could not answer. The Pharisees probably could not conceive that the Messiah, a descendant of David could be God himself. 

Do we have a problem in seeing the only begotten son, Jesus as the son of God? Could Jesus have referred to Isaiah 53 and the role of the suffering servant, where he had to suffer and die? In Psalm 16:10 David prophesies and is filled with great joy that God will not leave his soul among the dead. He says that God would not allow His holy one to rot in the grave. This verse was often quoted when the disciples spoke about the resurrection of Christ. Did not this promise of King David come true when Christ rose from the dead? 

Following this long discussion, they stopped to rest for a while as it was late. When Jesus broke bread with them, suddenly their eyes were opened. Jesus disappeared, but their faith had been reignited. They asked each other, “As he spoke to us did you not feel your hearts burn?” They hurried back to Jerusalem to tell Jesus’ followers about their encounter. “Do we go down our own Road of Emmaus where we turn our backs to God’s message?”

Easter - The Lord is risen

At break of dawn on Sunday morning several of the women followers went to Jesus' tomb. They had been unable to embalm his body after his late burial on Friday night because of the Sabbath. However they had followed Joseph and the others and had made sure they knew where they had laid his body. They were carrying with them spices they had prepared to embalm his body. They had seen a huge rock being placed by the Romans to seal the entrance. They must have wondered as they walked to the tomb, how they were to move that boulder and enter the tomb. They may have thought the guards who had been posted outside would help them. Did they secretly hope that Christ had risen? And so came to see if the grave was empty? They had heard the Leaders talk amongst themselves that there were rumors that this could possibly happen. They had heard Christ say that he would rise again. Did they come with spices so that they would not look foolish if Christ lay dead in the tomb? How come it was the women who were the first to go and not the men? Did the disciples not expect Jesus to have risen from the dead? 

 When the women approached the tomb, suddenly there was an earthquake. An angel of the Lord appeared, and rolled away the stone that was blocking the entrance to the cave. The Roman guards who had been posted there trembled with fear and went into a state of unconsciousness. The Romans had been posted there at the insistence of some who felt that if rumors circulated that Christ rose from the dead, then it would only open Pandora’s box. The angel assured the women that Christ had risen. Then he invited them to see where Jesus' body had lain. The women were filled with hope of seeing Jesus again. 

 Inside the cave they saw another angel who reminded them of what Christ told them. Jesus would have to be betrayed into the hands of men who were sinful, crucified and on the third day he would rise again. Jesus had told the questioning, infuriated Pharisees that he would destroy the temple (i.e. His body) and in three days raise it again (John 2:13-24). Nevertheless no one understood the significance of his statement. But in retrospect it dawned on the disciples - all that he had said and how the scriptures were fulfilled. 

 The women were told to go quickly and give the good news to his disciples and to tell them that Jesus would meet all of them at Galilee. As they were hurrying out to go and give the news to the disciples, they suddenly encountered Christ who greeted them. In shock they stumbled and fell at his feet. Then in their joy they clung to his feet and worshipped him. How could one who had been so sorely beaten, crucified, dead, and buried, rise from the dead? Surely these thoughts may have crossed their mind. What was happening was beyond their comprehension. Their hearts filled with joy which only a while back had been downcast. The only words ringing in their minds, “The Lord is risen, He is risen indeed.” Jesus said, “Fear not and go tell all the believers to come and meet me at Galilee.” Death has lost its sting. We who believe live on in Christ.

Seven Last Utterances of the Suffering Servant

As Jesus is being led away to be Crucified, there are many women who stood helplessly mourning and wailing seeing the plight of Jesus. Jesus looks to them and implores them not to weep for him, but for themselves. “If these are the things they do when the branch is green, what will happen when it is dry?” If this is what they will do when the Son of God was alive, what will they do when he is dead? Barclay says, if this is what they do to Jesus who is innocent, beware of what will happen to those who are really guilty. It is a difficult statement to interpret.

 "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing". Words said by Christ from the cross. Passionate words said by many saints of God under crushing and treacherous circumstances. Can we be so forgiving of our persecutors? Do we find ways to get our revenge on those who give us a hard time? Do we simmer with hatred when we are helpless in the face of the taunts from those who torment us? Christ is showing us the way to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Such is the nature of Christ that his concern for his enemies far exceeds whatever harm they have done to him.

 “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabatachathani.” The bystanders think he is calling out to Elijah. “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus is under tremendous physical and spiritual distress with his seperation from God. Mary the mother of Jesus as she hears her son’s heart rending cry is inconsolable. It is probable that the many women, who stood at a distance and heard the cry, are wailing tearfully equally loud hearing Jesus' cry.We pause and wonder; Is Jesus dreading death as he sees it fast approaching? Is Jesus crying out to God for not answering his prayer at Gethsemane? Did the thought of separation from God overwhelm him? Was it at this point that the sins of all mankind were laid on his heart? Did he experience a complete blackout of the presence of God? As darkness veils his lovely face we praise God for his unchanging grace.

 “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” This is one of the most powerful utterances that Jesus made from the cross. Psalm 22 begins with these words. The spiritual significance of what really transpired on the cross, is beyond human comprehension. But we do believe that in some way by the grace of God we have all been forgiven of our sins. There have been many who felt that Jesus prayed Psalm 22 as he hung on the cross. These were the words that he verbalized loudly as he cried out in pain and anguish. He was living and fulfilling the word of God that had been prophesied about him a long time ago.  

As Jesus hung from the cross exhausted, bleeding and almost naked, the things he heard and saw were disparaging. Apart from his dear family and friends that hung around, the major characters were only people who jeered and derived sadistic pleasure in watching the men die. Leaders laughed and scoffed saying, “let him save himself, if he is God’s chosen Messiah”. The soldiers mocked him saying, “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself”. A signboard nailed to the cross read, "This is the king of the Jews." The verses in the Psalm 22 elaborate that the bystanders would mock him saying that he heard the cries for help and saved many who put their trust in Him, but when it came to himself he could do nothing. The words, “Physician heal thyself” come to mind. But Jesus hung on the cross not to save himself but the world. To show us that God loved us so much, that even while we were sinners, he was showing us a map for us to take, to find this way of grace and mercy that will enable us to live with him to eternity. 

 The psalmist says “my strength has dried up like sun baked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth”. Jesus was extremely thirsty and physically tired as he hung on the cross. The psalmist says, “They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments”. Even as he lay dying, the soldiers gambled for Christ’s clothes by throwing dice (probably his only worldly possession was gambled off). Christ’s robe was given to the one who won the draw on the dice. “You have left me in the dust and left me for dead”. Once Jesus died his body was left on the ground for dead. “Not one of the bones of the righteous will be broken”. One way to speed up the death of those crucified was to break their bones. However Jesus died before the need arose. These words of King David, expressed at a time of deep anguish, are some of the words Jesus expressed as he hung on the cross. Though the psalm starts with deep sorrow it ends with great hope. 

 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “if you are the Messiah save yourself and us as well”. Are these the words to be heard when one is dying? Is this the death deserving of an innocent man? Even as Jesus leaves this world as the son of man, the scars on his body and spirit are going to stay with him. Christ did not see any other way, than to become a man to understand the plight of humans and above all to show them what God expected of them. The other criminal said, “He has done nothing wrong”. He turned to Jesus and said "Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom”. These words have been cherished in prayer and song as thousands beseech Jesus to remember them when He comes. Amidst all that taunting while Jesus hung on the cross, one person who showed sympathy to Jesus was an undesirable criminal…the thief on the cross. He realized that Jesus had done nothing to deserve crucifixion. Jesus assured the man that “today you will be with me in paradise”. Again we see the grace of God in action, even at the last minute there is salvation for the sinner that repents. Does that mean we can live a life of immorality or disobedience and wait until the last instant when we can look to Jesus for forgiveness? James and John had wanted to reign with Jesus in his Kingdom, one on the left and the other on the right. Should they have also hung by the sides of Jesus on the cross?

 “Woman he is your son.”, “She is your mother.” Jesus entrusted his loving mother to his beloved disciple John. Even while dying Christ thought of his mother. Joseph, it is believed, had died. Did Jesus have any siblings? Were they still living? Was it Mary his mother, or John his disciple, or both of them that were in need of this new relationship? Here was Jesus handing over, probably his only living dependent family member, his loving mother, into the hands of one his trusted disciples. He must have been having problems breathing. They say one of the hardest things to do when you hang on the cross is to breathe. Speaking must have been extremely difficult. Here was the consummation of a new relationship, of a mother and a son brought together as the last wish of a dying man. A relationship brought about by the living God.

 “I am thirsty.” I thirst for water. Was it only water that Christ was crying out in thirst for? Did he also mean than he was thirsty for the living God. Was his soul thirsting for the communion he had had with the living God since the beginning of time?

 “It is finished.” The job is done. Father, there it is, the last of my breath, I have been faithful to the end. I have endured the cross, suffered the pain, and now I am ready for the crown. Isn’t this what we all look forward to in our Christian walk? To finish well. 

 “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” Even in death Jesus shows us how to die. He calmly surrenders his spirit to the Lord. Where did the Spirit of Christ go when it left his human body? On Easter day it reunites with the human body and in some strange way appears to the disciples and many others who believed in Him. The mysterious disappearance of Christ’s body from the grave keeps the world embroiled in debate whether he rose from the dead or not.

 The sun went down. Thick veil in the temple was torn apart, implying God’s presence is for all people and not restricted to the high priests. There is to be only one mediator between God and people – Jesus. 

The captain of the Roman soldier says that surely Jesus was innocent. Joseph, a member of the Jewish high council and one who had not agreed with their decision to crucify Jesus, took the body down from the cross. He laid Jesus in the grave he had purchased for his own eventual death. Many who had come to watch the crucifixion had to rush back home to observe the Sabbath. However they wanted to make sure that Jesus was dead before they left. Is it not a paradox that we call this day Good Friday and not the Black Sabbath?

Good Friday

Isaiah 53 beautifully portrays the role of Jesus as the suffering servant. Isaiah says that there was nothing beautiful and majestic about the suffering servant’s appearance. The servant was despised and rejected. He was a man of sorrow, acquainted with the bitterest of grief. No one really cared for him. They all turned their backs to him. Yet he was weighed down because of our weaknesses. We misunderstood, and thought his punishment was for his own sins. He was wounded for our sins and beaten so that we may have peace. We have, as lost sheep, strayed away from the path set for us by God. But the servant was led like a lamb to be slaughtered. He went silently. He did no harm, but he was dying for all of our sins. He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man's grave. It is hard to foresee this prophesy about Jesus that was made nearly 700 years before his crucifixion.

Jesus was taken for questioning by Caiaphas the high priest. They tried to make false charges at him. But none could hold any serious charge. Finally they twisted one of Jesus' statements that he would destroy the temple and build it in 3 days. When Jesus remained silent to all charges leveled against him, Caiphas rebuked him. Infuriated he tried to incite the crowd by asking, if Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. To this Jesus calmly accepted that statement, and said that soon he will see him in the seat of power at God's right hand and return in glory in the clouds. Caiaphas exploded and screamed, 'blasphemy' and the frenzied crowds in unison cried that Jesus was guilty and that he must die. Forgotten were the times he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even hailed as king just a week back by the same mob that now was thirsty for his blood. In all the discombobulation, Jesus remained calm. He was prepared for the verdict and his sentence to death.

Meanwhile Peter was confronted by a servant girl, later another servant girl and finally a bystander who all asked him separately if he knew Jesus. Peter vehemently denied any association with Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. It was then that he remembered what Jesus had told him. He went away from there and wept bitterly. Can you imagine the guilt Peter would have felt when he denied Jesus? It came very close to Judas' betrayal. Have you felt that way in your Christian walk? There are countless times we stumble and fall. But Christ is always there to pick us up. Just as he did with Peter. All Jesus told Peter was that when he had repented he was to be a source of strength and support to the other disciples. That is what Christ is calling us to do. When we are strong we should strengthen those who are weak.

Then brutal Caiaphas and the other blood thirsty accusers took Jesus to Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus said he was. But when the leading priests and other leaders made trumped up accusations at him, he remained silent. Pilate was awestruck and asked Jesus if he had anything to say. He remained silent. Pilate tried to release Jesus as it was customary during Passover to release one prisoner. But the verdict of the people was final - they wanted him crucified. Again the courage and strength of Jesus was greatly to be admired. He kept silent and did not in any way see the need to defend himself.

Pilate ordered him to be flogged with a lead tipped whip, and then to be crucified. The soldiers took him away and whipped him, mocked him and led him away to be crucified. It is hard to imagine the control Jesus had over himself, to keep silent and not plead for mercy. To accept the punishment that in no way he deserved. He realized that this was the course he was to take. To sacrifice his life into the hands of a wicked generation that had rejected him. To play the role of a servant of God, falsely accused and being sentenced to death. To overcome evil with good. To be the source of inspiration to the millions of Christians who would willingly lay down their lives to build a non-violent and peaceful society that believes in the Triune God. A society that loves justice believes in mercy and walks humbly with the living God.

Maundy Thursday

Is there a loved one you dearly miss, with whom you remember sharing Holy Communion for the last time? Do you remember where it was? Do you remember how you felt at that time? How do you feel now remembering their death? Now can you imagine how Jesus would have felt when he shared the last supper with his disciples? Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday in particular is a time of remembrance of the death of Christ on the cross. Christ instructed us that participating in the last supper should be a time of spiritual blessing.

Jesus started the evening by washing the feet of his disciples. He showed the depth of his love by this act of kneeling at the feet of all his disciples and washing the dust off their feet. He showed that as a leader one must play the role of a servant who personally cares for the well being of one's family, friends and associates. Washing of feet was normally done by the servants in the house. But Jesus took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed the feet of his disciples. We see the extent of his humility - though he was God, he played the role of a servant to his disciples. One can only imagine the shock of his disciples and Peter the loud mouth even questioned Jesus.

Jesus said that this Blood that was being shed was for the forgiveness of many. He said that his shed blood would seal the covenant of God and the people. What made Jesus the sacrificial lamb that could seal this covenant? His life was one that was sinless and his sacrifice was pleasing to God. This new covenant that God sealed with the entire human race was in keeping with His plan for the whole world as opposed to the old covenant that was restricted to those of the Jewish faith.

During the last supper Jesus finally confronted Judas the betrayer. Here we see that Jesus, inspite of knowing this, did nothing to prevent Judas from completing the task that he had set out to perform. The plot to kill Jesus had permeated the inner circle of disciples where one of his own stepped out to betray him. One wonders whether Jesus had known that Judas would betray him, even as he invited Judas to be a disciple.

Jesus went on to say that all his disciples would desert him. When Peter heard this, he said that he would never forsake Jesus. But Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crowed. He said that Satan would sift them like wheat and try to see if they were chaff. However Jesus assured them that He had already prayed that their faith should not fail them. He exhorted Peter to strengthen and build up his brothers and sisters after he had repented and turned back to Jesus.

Following the last supper Jesus went to an olive grove called Gethsemane with Peter, James and John. He was in deep anguish and told them to stay with him and pray. The disciples who had no idea what Jesus was going through fell fast asleep. Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken away, but his prayers went unanswered. God could see no other way but through the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus's final words of prayer in the garden were "Your will be done". Even in the midst of his own distress Jesus continued to groom his disciples to stay alert in the face of danger. Our spirit may want us to do what is right, but our flesh may lead us away.

After his acceptance that this was the divine will of God, Jesus went to his three sleepy disciples and told them that the hour is at hand. He was ready to face his betrayal into the hands of sinners. When he saw Judas approaching with a mob armed with swords and spears he told them that there was no need for violence, for those who live by the sword die by the sword. If they really thought they could overpower him with swords, they were sadly mistaken; at his command 1000's of angels would protect him. This makes us realize that heaven has angels with not just harps and stringed instruments. What was happening was in fulfillment of the words of prophets as written in the scriptures and Jesus would not go against God's will.

What caused Judas to commit this heinous act? He was the only non-Galilean and was the treasurer of the group. He craved money, but 20 pieces of silver was a small sum. Did Judas have a political or militant agenda, believing that Christ was the King of the Jews? Did he hypothesize that if Jesus was led to the cross by the power of Holy Spirit, he might turn into the savior of the Jewish people, rescuing them from Roman dominion? Jesus's distress for Judas was evident when he said it would have been better if Judas had not been born. Judas preferred to hang himself rather than go back to the other disciples and plead for forgiveness. The remaining disciples, although they deserted Jesus in his hour of need, regrouped and eventually went on to play dominant roles in the spread of Christianity throughout the world.

We cannot begin to fathom how many, like Judas at that time, had heard the good news but whose lives Jesus could not touch and transform. Further we wonder whether if we had been alive at that time, would we have supported or joined the crowd who wanted Jesus crucified.

People of Faith

What does faith mean? Faith is the assurance that God is in control. It does not rely on the wisdom of humans but on the power of God (1Corinthians 2:5). Faith is to hope when there is no hope at all. Faith is our actions as James says. Faith is belief without any doubts (Genesis 15:6). Faith is belief in the word of God. Faith is to be loyal and faithful to ones calling. Faith is to trust. Faith is our intention or desire to do what is right in God's eyes.

The founder of the Jewish nation, Abraham, is often referred to as a pioneer in faith in the living God. He was greatly respected for his wisdom, power and wealth. He was very considerate to the needs of his fellowmen. Above all he believed in the Living God and for his faith God regarded him to be righteous. Abraham was called to leave his country, family and house and go to the land God was going to show him. God promised to make him a blessing to all the families on earth. He was seventy five years old when he heard God's call and started on this journey of faith.

The instances when he lost faith in God, were when he tried to be practical. When he saw the power of Pharaoh he feared Pharaoh over God. Yet God protected him, and no harm came to him or his household. When he was 86 years old and still with no child Sarah coerced Abraham to bear a son through Hagar her servant. This was a decision that she lived to regret for the rest of her life. He continued to trust in God even though it did not seem possible for his beloved 90-year old wife Sarah to bear a child. Yet Abraham believed that God would give him a son. Isaac was finally born to the old couple. God further tested him by asking him to sacrifice his son. When Isaac asked Abraham where the sacrificial lamb was, Abraham confidently told him, "God will provide". This phrase has been on the lips of all men of faith who venture out into the unknown with nothing but their faith.

It was Abraham’s faith in God that he will fulfill the promise made to him when he was called to start his journey of faith that made him acceptable in God's eyes. Abraham lived in a time when there were many gods and idols and people lived lives that were not pleasing to God. It is from such a culture that God called Abraham to come out and be a separate nation. Two of the most important factors to faith is patience and endurance in adversity. We are called to imitate our fellowmen who through faith and patience inherited what was promised to them. Another very important factor that determined Abraham’s faith was the grace of God. As we see there were times when Abraham had doubts and fell away. But by the grace of God that was working within him, he was spurred on to the eventual fulfillment of God's promise.

The founder of the China Inland Mission was the son of James Taylor a Methodist preacher. James and Amelia Taylor had prayed fervently for a child, who would work as a missionary in China. Hudson Taylor who trained in theology and medicine started his mission work in China. Taylor in his early years desired passionately to be spiritually holy. He tried hard, but failed each time. Only later did he realize that he was holy by the Spirit of Christ that dwelt in him. St. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 that it was no longer him, but the Spirit of Christ that dwelt in him. The life he lived, he lived by faith in Christ who was crucified. Faith that Christ was always with him even when he failed gave him the confidence in the power of God that was working within him, making him holy in the sight of God. Taylor’s strong faith that God moves men through prayer enabled him to be a pioneer in Christian mission in China and to labor tirelessly to establish mission posts all over the country.

For Taylor life was not always easy. When he first started his mission work he was forced to return to England because of ill health. Though this seemed like a set back he used the time to complete his study in medicine, work on his Chinese translation of the New Testament and organize his China Inland Mission. Taylor returned to China with 22 missionaries. He was tested by fire when his daughter died, when his first wife died at child birth, when his second wife died of cancer, and when sicknesses continued to plague him constantly. Despite all the anguish and suffering he remained true to his calling, mobilized many missionaries to China and was responsible for the conversion of thousands to the Christian faith. His pioneering sacrificial work laid a strong foundation for the continued growth and preservation of the church even during the persecution of the communist regime. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 St. Paul wrote that the grace of Christ is sufficient, for his strength is made perfect in weakness. It was these words that made Taylor strong in his faith and stand firm on the promises of God.

Humility

"Oh God, it’s hard to be humble!" That’s how we feel when people appreciate us and we are on the top of the world. It’s true we all go through these feelings when there are not many who come close to our achievements considering the circumstances we came from. Jesus says in Luke14:11 about the guests who chose the places of honor, that he who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. It is better to be humble and if God sees the need to exalt we will be honored. 

 In Numbers 12:3 it is written that there was no one more humble than Moses in the entire world. Yet Miriam, who set her baby brother afloat on the river Nile to protect him from being killed by the Egyptian soldiers, was over come with jealousy when Moses became a celebrity as the leader of the people of Israel. Miriam and Aaron felt insecure that there was too much praise going to Moses. We feel slighted when our work goes unrecognized or someone younger is given the role to be leader over us. 

 This criticism by Miriam offended God. He raised Moses on a pedestal and said that he spoke through visions and dreams to his prophets but to his servant Moses he spoke face to face. It is clear that Moses’ distinguished service to the living God had won his admiration. Miriam gets struck by leprosy and the one who is very upset is none other than Moses who pleads for her healing. 

 We see God humbling Miriam and raising Moses above them all as a leader. This brings home to us that just because God speaks through us it does not make us very special. We need to be humble and accept the fact that there are some whom God has set as our leaders or shepherds and who may have a much deeper relationship with God. Beware of feelings that drive us to be much-admired and of dreams of greatness. They usually lead to frustration and disappointment. 

 Being humble does not mean that we should have low self esteem. In 1Corinthians 15:10 Paul gives us insight into what is a healthy self esteem. It is one that by the grace of God the Spirit of Christ in us makes us do all things that are possible. In Galatians 6:14 he says "let me boast in nothing but the cross of Jesus". He says that all his interest to make himself righteous in the eyes of the world died long time ago. It doesn't matter if he has not conformed to all the traditions that is required of him. What matters most is his change into a new creation and whether the Spirit of Christ dwells in him.

All our efforts to be righteous have no significance if our hearts and minds are not right with God. We have to heed the advice of Christ who says in Mathew 26:41 that we must watch and pray in all circumstances because though the spirit is willing, our heart, mind and body may lead us away from the right course of action. Jeremy Taylor in his book on Holy Living says that humility is a gift from God, but it is increased by exercising it. 

When we feel overcome with pride, the traditional Jesus Prayer “Lord have mercy on me a sinner”, a letter of appreciation to someone who greatly helped us overcome a weakness, or words of praise to a person who depends on us are all effective ways of diverting attention away from one's own high self esteem.

Open Hearts

Relationship with God

God spoke to Moses out of a fire with no shape or form. Yet out of the darkness (Deuteronomy 5:22-33) God spoke and shed light on the path the Israelites were to follow and how they were to lead their lives. The commands that God gave Moses were to be carefully observed. Not to be forgetten nor allowed to slip away from their hearts. He instructed the Israelites to hear, learn and follow them. The ten commandments were laws that enabled the Israelites to build a strong relationship with God and one another. Moses urged the Israelites to love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind and strength. He did not want them to make any idols in any shape or form.

Moses had a well founded personal relationship with God. He was able to speak and listen to the voice of God. The Lord anointed Moses with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave him the gift of performing miracles, and the ability to lead and teach the people of Israel. It was this Spiritual relationship that empowered him to be the one who brought them their freedom from the Egyptians (Isaiah 63:12-14). The anointing of the Holy Spirit that was within him was so abundant that God passed on some of his gifts to selected elders of the Israelites too (Numbers 11:16-17). It was his relationship of trust and faith in the living God that enabled him to perform the impossible. The courage to speak to Pharaoh and command him to free the people of Israel from slavery.

God wanted Moses to establish a similar relationship between God and the Israelites. It was his wish that all of God’s people will have the spirit of God dwell in them like he did. (Numbers 11:29). Moses summed his message to the people by saying that they should love God with all their heart, mind and strength. It was not really enough to follow these commands but they should also do so out of an insatiable desire (Deuteronomy 5:29) to do the will of the God. It was a relationship that would not allow contention with another idol that represented God in another form.

Relationship with Jesus 

Paul says God has made his light to shine out of the darkness into our hearts (2Corinthians 4:6). Why did God do this? Unfortunately no one could follow all the commands that Moses laid down. As Paul says in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. The light Paul refers to that shines out of darkness is the knowledge of the glory of  the face of Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul succinctly says, Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). The core of his message is Christ has through his death and resurrection reconciled us with the Father. God loved the world so much that he sent Jesus so that He could be our mediator between us and God. This relationship could only come into being by the grace of God. It is Only through Christ’s life and witness we really came to understand the depth of God’s love for us. 

Proverbs 3:6 tells us that if we seek Gods will in all that we do, God will direct our path. To seek the will of God is to live in the light of God's words. If we follow our own selfish desires we end up in darkness. When Samuel heard the voice of God, Eli the then High Priest told him to say to God that he was his servant and he was listening (1 Samuel 3). It is this attitude, where we have a willingness to go down on our knees and humble ourselves before this loving awesome God, and say that our hearts are open and will love to serve Him in whatever it may be that God bids us do. It is then we will know and experience the loving will of God flowing through our hearts and minds.

Frank Laubach, a modern day mystic, through his journals brought number of people to a strong personal relationship with Jesus by increasing their awareness of God. They were encouraged to ask Jesus in every waking moment (situation), what it is He wants them to do next, then to wait and try to discern what He is saying. He spoke of two burning passions. The first to be like Jesus. The second was to respond to Jesus as a violin responds to the bow of the violinist. We open our hearts and minds upwards to let the glory of God shine into our lives. It is when we respond to God‘s love in our hearts through acts of love towards others with hearts open outward, they will see the glory of God shining through us. He made an effort as he saw people to pray that God would touch their lives and make them into the people he wanted them to be. It was seeing people through the eyes of love. It is when we surrender it all in God’s hands, he works through us and does amazing things which we never imagined.

Moment by moment, I’m kept in His love;

Moment by moment I’ve life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Deuteronomy - Reflection

The people of Israel left Egypt to travel to the promised land. Under normal circumstances it would have been an 11-day journey to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnai. It took the Israelites 40 years. On reaching the outskirts of the land of Cannan they did not believe that God had given them the land. They sent spies out to survey the land. The scouts returned with news that it would be impossible to take over the land. They rebelled, grumbled and lost faith in God.

This maybe a good time to pause and ponder why this happened? Inspite of all the miracles performed in Egypt and on their journey the Israelites did not trust God. The journey became a long-drawn-out and painful one. A wandering through the desert where an entire generation of Israelites passed away. A period where many who rebelled perished under the wrath of God.

It was also a time where a new generation learnt to fear and walk humbly before God. It was here in the desert that they got a new identity as a nation. They learnt to live and work togather. They learnt to worship God and be faithful only to him. They lost all their ties to Egypt and all the alien gods and idols they worshipped. Moses gathered them together as distinct tribes and chose leaders who were wise and respected to have authority over them. He laid down religious and civil laws for them to follow. They built up a powerful army to defend their nation. Yet through the 40 years of wanderings God protected them and provided them for all their needs.

Isn't this true of many of our lives? Haven't we travelled through life sometimes through dark periods in our lives? Haven't there been periods when we have scarcely had no idea where God was leading us? Periods when our burdens so overwhelmed us that we felt that God was no longer there. These doubts only gave way to new fears and temptations. We were allured into phases in our lives when we turned away and rebelled against God. Yet God takes us through these deserts and wild experiences and instills in us a passion for him. A longing to be in fellowship with him and his people. Through it all we learn to trust in Jesus and believe in his saving grace.

The early pilgrims left the shores of England in search of a new life. Some of them died on the way and some in their early years in America. They had to face many hardships such as rough weather, food, and diseases. But through it all they saw the hand of God working and guiding them through all their trials to a new life and to build a nation that in this century has emerged as the most powerful nation in the world.

Servant of the Living God

Philippians 2:3-8

³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

There are some christians who spend their entire lives in heated and bitter conflicts. In such an environment it is very unlikely that people can live in an community of brotherly love. As christians we should not become boastful and be filled with unwarranted pride in our accomplishments or qualities, for this leads to self worship and self glorification. Whatever we accomplish or qualities we emulate we must humbly accept as the grace of God. 

 Amy Carmichael gave up everything that life had to offer her in England and proceeded to her mission with undiminished commitment. She went to South India, where she led a life of complete devotion for 55 years to her calling as the shepherd of temple children. She opened an orphanage in Dohnavur. Being a gifted writer, she has many books to her credit. She yielded her life completely to Christ.

As brothers and sisters in Christ we are not to be overly concerned about our own possessions but also to the needs of those in our family, our community of faith and the world at large. The mind that Christ had when he was on earth was one that was submissive to the will of God in his life. Though he was God he took the form of one that was not equal to God. He became like a servant in the likeness of man. In his humility he obediently laid down his life for the salvation of all mankind. 

Statement of faith

My relationship with Jesus Christ is based on an agape relationship of a Father and Son. It is through this relationship that I have come to value the importance of servant leadership, by humbly submitting my life in the hands of God to serve, do his will, and depend on his mercy to forgive my trespasses. I was raised in a Christian family where my father and mother nurtured my relationship with Jesus Christ. I read the Bible and pray everyday so that the Holy Spirit will inspire me to do the will of the Father, direct my path and grow mature in my relationship with Christ. I have daily family prayers with my wife and son, to seek the help of the Holy Spirit to build a family that is one in the Spirit and centered on Christ as our head. I believe that through praying for others, Christ will make us strong, protect us from evil,and provide for all our needs. I go to church, lead and participate in Bible studies to increase my relationship with the Body of Christ. I am happy to speak about my relationship with Jesus Christ anywhere and at anytime. I enjoy being involved in the outreach ministries and prayer circles of the church.