Lifting the Veil

Prophet, Priest and King

The Synoptic Gospel Readings (Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke 9:28–36)

Mount Tabor is the mountain where the transfiguration traditionally took place. There is a Franciscan Church and a Greek Orthodox Church located there today. However Biblical scholars have reasons to believe that actually Mount Hermon is where the transfiguration occurred.

Artist: Pietro Perugino

Completion Date:1500

Collegio del Cambio,  Palazzo dei Priori in the city of Perugia, Italy

In the transfiguration episode we see the veil separating the Kingdom of Heaven from the Kingdom on Earth being lifted and the divine nature of Jesus being revealed. It is here the disciples see Jesus completely transformed and his face change and his clothes become dazzling white. It is only much later they realize why Jesus took them up to this mountaintop?

On the mountain the disciples saw him deep in conversation with Moses and Elijah. We often wonder what transpired there. We know from the Old Testament descriptions that Moses and Elijah had had similar revelations on mountain tops from God. Moses received the Ten commandments and Elijah heard the still small voice of God after the wind and the earthquake.

These episodes impact on the lives of people down through the ages has been tremendous. Here on the mountain top Jesus encounters two spiritual giants  one who gave us the ten commandments and the other who while on earth had established moments of direct communion with God through the elements of nature. Could this mean that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets or one much greater?

Jesus was looking for God’s assurance that he was doing his will. He wanted to hear the voice of God. Far away from the crowds and in the loneliness of a mountain top. He also probably wanted his three closest disciples Peter (2 Peter 1:16), James, and John (John1:14)  to witness the glory and majesty of the Son of God.  For the three disciples it was probably an unforgettable and awesome experience.

It was a turning point in that Jesus started to go about the rest of his ministry with increased boldness knowing that the shadow of the cross was looming large (Hebrews 12:2). It was here that Jesus was looking for the final commands and strength from God to go on. The presence of the two great men of God probably assured Jesus that he was on the right path.

Peter again in his bold and bashful way tries to tell Jesus, Moses and Elijah that they could build a shelter one for each of them to stay. Unexpectedly the voice of God interjects and says, this is my son whom I dearly love, listen to him. The voice of God terrified the disciples. 

Suddenly we see God revealing himself to the disciples, as a voice hidden in the clouds, this is your King and do you realize what you are saying? Are you listening? The closeness with which Jesus conversed with Moses and Elijah makes us realize that there is so much that Jesus knew which he did not reveal to mankind. If only we knew how, we could lift the veil and behold Gods Kingdom and the unseen cloud of witnesses who are really so close at hand.

To some of us today through prayer we see the veil being lifted, where we can reflect on God’s love and embrace on our lives. (2Corinthians 3:16-18).  It is these mountain top experiences that help us cope with our own trials and tribulations just as it did for Jesus. They also help us to be instruments to minister to the needs of our friends and family. Do you have a message you can take down to the valley below to your friends and family?

Resurrection and Life

Jesus said to Martha, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25

  Further Reading John 11

Artist: Rembrandt

Completion Date: 1630 

 Gallery: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, USA

When messengers inform Jesus of Lazarus’s illness, Jesus does not declare a command of healing, but instead assures everyone that Lazarus sickness will not end in death. Then he continues in his work and ministry.  So much so that he goes to see Lazarus only two days later.

Jesus goes boldly to Judea even though there were death threats issued for him and his disciples. Jesus knew that until the time came for his arrest, nothing could stop him from ministering to the needs of the people.

By the time they arrive Lazarus has been dead and buried. Martha comes to Jesus expressing her sorrow of Lazarus loss. Jesus assures her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die.” Then he asks Martha do you believe this? Then she affirms her faith in Jesus.

When Mary came weeping to Jesus, he was overwhelmed with grief and wept. Here again we see the humanness of Christ, sorrow over Mary’s tears and anger towards mans powerlessness over the sting of death. With Martha Jesus spoke with power but, with Mary he expressed his grief and sorrow.

It is here in Bethany we see again, the cross cast its heavy shadow on the Jesus ministry. He comes increasing under the watchful eyes of the religious authorities and people of Jerusalem.  Caiaphas words following Lazarus’s resurrection, become almost ominously prophetic as he says, that it is better one man should die for the people, than the whole nation perish.

During lent we look at the way Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death He wanted them to see that everyone who believes in him will live even after dying. Everyone who lives and believes in Christ will never die.  Christ will come again, and nothing can stop this from happening. Do you Believe?

Lord I Believe

Lyrics by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Though I can't see Your holy face
And Your throne in heaven above
It seems so far away
And though I can't touch your nail scarred hands
I have a deep unspeakable joy
That makes my faith to stand

Chorus:
Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I can't see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let this whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe

Excessive & Extravagant Love

Going for broke

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as Jesus sat to eat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. Mark 14:3-5

The woman out of her excessive love for Jesus broke a box of this extravagantly expensive oinment, and anointed his head with it. The price of the Alabaster box could possible have fed many hundreds of hungry poor souls. Seeing the indignation of the people there Jesus said that her act should not be regarded as a waste but be always remembered with great honor. It was her way of thanking Jesus for all he had done to bring peace to her soul.

The woman's act reminded me of the act of the poor widow who gave all she had, although it was an insignificant amount of money. In Jesus eyes she gave all that she had to live on. How many of us can go for broke like that?

Marks gospel says that the woman broke the box and poured the precious ointment on Jesus’s head. Many versions call it perfume, but King James Version calls it an ointment, which makes it so much more meaningful. Ointment gives it a medicinal value and Spikenard is known for its relaxing quality for the nerves. This ointment was possibly imported from India or Nepal from the Himalayan mountains. It is traditional for Asians even today, to pour certain kinds of oils on their heads and massage the oil in to relax the nerves.

Do you think the woman sensed that Jesus was under tremendous tension knowing that his greatest trial and temptation were just so close at hand? To think that Jesus was tensed brings out his humanness so exquisitely. In a way the woman was trying to provide the best ointment that could for a moment bring relief to Jesus.

Here again we see the tension, which develops in the room among Jesus followers. Some felt it was an absolute waste of resources. But to Jesus it was an act of love. It is not what other people think of how you use your gifts and resources for God, but God who sees into our hearts and is happy with our contribution.

It is not the hundreds of people that you can influence, but the even the precious few you are able to lead to the Lord. There will always be those who may not agree, but we step up and do our best. We give of our best to our master.

Did the woman’s act stop Jesus from going to his death on the cross? No. But I do believe that for a moment in time Jesus sensed relief as he felt the ointment being poured on his head by a disciple who loved him deeply.

During this time of lent let us surrender all we have to Jesus without any restrictions. Let us look up to him to break us, melt us and mold us into the people he wants us to be.

Lord pour your healing balm on our hearts and minds and make us whole.

Undercover Boss

Christ's Passionate love

 

Philippians 2:6-7

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Written in three languages Ellwangen Abbey, Germany.

Reality shows are keeping the public glued to their TV screens. One of these shows, Undercover Boss, is about wish-fulfillment and there are many different versions of it being broadcast all over the world. Each episode is about a top executive or owner of a business, who goes undercover in his or her own company as an entry-level employee. The employees are led to believe that they are being filmed as part of a documentary, which requires the presence of the TV crew at the workplace. The boss then spends a week or two undercover in different scenarios in the company. The goal of the show is to create transformational experiences for the companies, bosses and employees. The boss may know everything there is to know about the operations, but through this process can develop deeper bonds with employees. The employees feel like they have been heard; they are rewarded for jobs well done, may have problems resolved, or dreams fulfilled. The employees who normally go unnoticed are the biggest winners.

We could think of the coming of Jesus in one dimension as an undercover boss who had a bigger agenda for the whole of humankind, so he came down to earth as in the form of an ordinary man. It was this passionate love that caused him to give up all his glory above to be a person with no prestigious standing in society. Jesus wanted to identify and show us how to deal with our pain, insults, doubts and fears. He showed us how to be compassionate, meek, kind, and patient. To live in peace and hope.

 

Most historians have no doubts about the historical authenticity of Jesus. He is still looked upon by many scholars as a real person who lived over 2000 years ago. There is general consensus that Jesus was born, baptized, taught, and crucified. Jesus was not born into the palace of the Emperor of Rome, but in a stable as the son of an ordinary carpenter who possibly made plows and yokes for a living. He was probably educated in a Jewish school in a small town called Nazareth.

During the time of lent we look at the passion of Christ.  We try to reflect and meditate on the betrayal of Judas; the doubts and fears of all his followers; injustice of sending Jesus wrongfully to his death; the torturous pain and insults he had to bear. How many of us can identify with pain and anguish to this extreme? Christ's passionate love was poured out for the whole world. 

Good Fish Vs Bad Fish

The Parable of the Net 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered every kind of fish: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth Jesus said, Have you understood all these things? They said, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 13:47-51

 

The US Department of Homeland security maintains a “No Fly List”, which is a list of people not permitted to board commercial flights to travel in the United States. When business expenses exceed income the manager knows he made a net loss. If he continues to incur losses at some point he will become bankrupt, and get on to the much dreaded no credit (bankruptcy) list. When we say a person has been black listed it can be of significant embarrassment to the individual. One suffers a loss of credibility and goodwill.

In the eyes of the world we all know and understand when one who has been black listed, no fly listed, or no credit (bankrupt) listed. Sometimes we feel compassion towards these who due to unforeseen circumstances like a sickness, death or just because they belong to a race, religion, or country are greatly disadvantaged. But most cases we are willing to go to any lengths to stay clear and good, even to go to any extent to stay off these lists or even associate with these people.

When we see those who very openly oppose the gospel today, how do we make them see the light of the gospel?

Does this parable mean that the Kingdom of God is only limited to the scope of those who were caught in the net. Don’t we hear the wails and cries of the people on judgment day who will scream aren’t we all saved? Will Christ have compassion on them like he did with the thief on the cross? When things go wrong is there something that evil at work? Why does God allow evil or Satan to exist? What do we fear more the grace of God or the judgment of God?

Pray we may all be found in the good list.

In the last day Jesus said, the separation of the good from the bad is going to a happen. It is not we who will separate the good from the bad, but the angels or God in his infinite wisdom. To some this parable could be an encouragement that they are on the right track, to others a warning to turn back and follow Christ.

Just like none of us is privy to the list we can only point in the direction of the good list and say what one has to do to be on that list. We can only let our little lights shine today and for the rest of eternity. After all we are only a mere reflection of the fountain of light. Lord we simply accept you and turn towards your light so that we may see clearly the way you have set for us.

We trust in your mercy and grace, and claim the free gift of eternal life which is given to all who believe in you. Just as you forgave the thief on the cross, knowing that he turned out of fear of death, please remember us when you come into your Kingdom. For we know your grace does not depend on anything we have done, but completely and entirely on your death and final victory over death through your resurrection.

Springs of Hope

Sow in tears Reap in joy

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 
Psalm 126: 5-6

This Psalm is cheerful and full of hope. It is also often referred to as a Pilgrims Psalm. It was written at a time when the people of Israel were living in captivity. They hoped and prayed for a time when they could return to Jerusalem. This Psalm recalls the tears of hope they shed for the day when they would be released from captivity to be restored to Jerusalem and to Gods temple to worship God and live in peace.

In this metaphor we have the image of a poor farmer who has very little grain of rice, possibly living at a time when there was a famine. He and his family were possibly experiencing the gnawing pangs of hunger. He has the choice to feed his family bread for a few nights, or use the seeds to sow in the fields. His family goes hungry so that they can hope to have a highly productive harvest.

Don’t we all face tough choices in life? Where we have to make big sacrifices for today, in the hope that there will be a rich return in the future. We all feel powerless at times and fear for our future when life gives us a hard knock. Let us pray for insight and wisdom to make the right choices (Job28:18).

How many of us actually know what it means to be really poor? Did you know the threshold for poverty is a daily income of less than $2 a day and to be living in extreme poverty is an income of less than $1 a day.

There were many who doubted that there would never come a time when they would be released from captivity. Their hearts were hardened and they had lost all hope of freedom. 

Let us not drown in our sorrows, harden our hearts and lose hope.

Aren't we all pilgrims journeying toward the New Jerusalem? Let us learn to remember with our hearts and minds and apply it in our lives the promises that Christ left behind before he ascended. Let us hope and look forward to the day he will return to rule over the New Jerusalem. No death, no pain and every tear may be dry on that day. The day when our God will walk and dwell in the New Jerusalem.

Hungry??

Strangers

For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.   

Matthew 25 : Verses 35, 36

Do we see the face of Christ in more than 1000,000,000 people today who go without food? The mother (Chindho Khady) whose child dies hungry in her arms (Under developed world) or even the elderly who go to sleep hungry because they have only the money to pay for the medicines (Developed world). Are we more concerned with the few who are worth millions of dollars or the millions who go without food everyday? Christ is calling us to come down from our places of strength and reach out to those who are hungry and undernourished.

Today we see so many faces. How many of us see the face of a hungry person in our day-to-day lives?  Did you know that 1 in 8 people go to bed hungry? That hunger maimes and reduces the IQ of people.  

There is an estimated 1.3 billion people living in poverty around the world, of that number 70 percent are women and girls. Women and girls are also the fastest increasing group of impoverished in the world, a process called “the global feminization of poverty. Please check this link on you tube made by a girl from Tulane University who is passionate about the health and education of women in the world. It Only Takes a Girl - YouTube

Christ says every time you did it for one of these, you did it for me. We are the body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27), let us do our share for the parts of us that are wasting away or dying. 

Christ confronted Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, where he asked him why are you persecuting me (Acts 22:7)? In the same way what we do to Christ’s followers we do to him. Christ’s words continue to echo down through the ages, as you did to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters you did it to me (Matt25:40).

Do you see how softly and tenderly Christ looks upon those who are weak and undernourished? Every time we show kindness to those in need we show that we have the Spirit of Christ within us. 

Recognition and success often has another side to it. We pay the price of competition, rivalry and alienation. Christ is calling us to move inward into the void within ourselves and then allow ourselves to move outward toward others and towards God. He is calling us to transform our own inner gnawing of hostility to hospitality. As the famous quote of St. Augustine goes, “Our hearts are restless until it rests in you.”

Do you long for the Lord to bless you and keep you? Christ says feed my sheep. Do you want to see the face of God to shine upon you? Christ says feed my sheep.  Do you long for peace in Christ? Christ says feed my sheep.

Kingdom of God

Spreading the Yeast, One (K)need at a time

Jesus said, What shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole had risen. Luke 13:20-21

 Secrets of good bread - Midstate Mills

  

The Word of God is alive, and the new life it brings causes people to rise and praise God in unison. The yeast is very small and can hardly be seen with our eyes. All you need is a tiny portion that slowly makes the huge measures of flour to rise.

The flour that is so tasteless becomes tasty and so sweet smelling. How sweet the sound of Jesus is to a believer’s ears. It is a mysterious process that allows a small mass of dough to become a sweet loaf of bread.

Behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21

It shows how the kingdom grows silently, transfusing our body, mind and soul. We see the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of those around us. However small the beginnings may be, through the working of the Holy Spirit it will grow and be a blessing.

Jesus spoke to us through God’s Word in parables so that we could grasp and understand God in an earthly way. Christ shows that the gospel has the ability to spread fast and quickly. We as Christians are hardly effective but if the Spirit of Christ dwells in in us and is able to work through us to touch the lives of our fellow men we can be effective.

Today as we move on 2000 years after the birth, teaching, death, and resurrection of Christ we can see how it has impacted the lives of so many nations and people down through the ages. We see its influence on our laws, politics, art, calendars, holidays, culture and moral priorities. The impact Christianity has particularly had on the poor and needy and the number of disciples of Christ who have sacrificed their lives to serve them can no longer be counted.

Slowly but surely the spirit of Christ has influenced our lives over the years as we continue to rise and mature under the watchful eyes of our Lord.

Prayer: Lord we give you all the glory, honor and praise as we accept you as the King of our hearts. Be our guide through thick and thin and may your tender hand lead us on to your Kingdom in Heaven. Amen

Thirst

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1

That I may know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Philippians 3:10

Don’t we all have our own worldly idols who we will most gladly wait for hours to see a glimpse of them, or stand in a line to get a book signed by them or listen to them sing. They are all tangible and can be seen or heard. Our thirst when we come to God is more of the heart and mind.

David professed of his intense desire for God. He wanted to bask in God’s presence. Here it was not a physical presence he was craving, it was an all consuming presence that left his heart burning almost touched by tongs of fire.

Why do we thirst after God? It could be a search for direction and intense desire to have God be the one who directs our thoughts and actions. It could be guilt for deeds done which we ought not to have done. It could be because we are in the midst of a manmade or natural disaster and we have no idea what to do. It could be the loss of a loved one or a diagnosis of a terminal disease.

Depending on the circumstance and situation our hunger and thirst for God increases or decreases. When we are preoccupied, content and happy our desire for God is a lot less than when we are helpless and sad. It is at times like these we reflect like Paul and say, that I might know Christ and the power of his resurrection.

We have to be disciplined to spend time daily in his presence in prayer and study. We meet fellow travellers in church or in groups who also share their life experiences and walk with God. We serve in needy areas and feel a presence of God leading us and guiding us in our duties. It is through the culmination of all these activities and constantly engaging in them do we perpetuate this thirst for God in our lives.

Lent is a time when we dedicate our time to learn and understand about our thirst for God, get a sense of our own faults, and how to walk closer with Him daily. It is when we seek deep within our hearts to tap into our abundant reserves for the desire for God that has already been placed within us from the time of our birth. We know that this knowledge of the presence of God is more valuable than anything else we cherish in this world. Once we have quenched this burning thirst we will find true fulfillment only when we pass it on to others. Our daily lives become the fields we practice to build the presence and thirst for God in the lives of others.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beauteous land.

And the little moments,
humble though they may be,
make the mighty ages
of eternity.

Little deeds of kindness,
little words of love,
make our earth an Eden,
like the heaven above.

So our little errors
lead the soul away,
from the paths of virtue
into sin to stray.

Little seeds of mercy
sown by youthful hands,
grow to bless the nations
far in distant lands.

Glory then for ever
be to God on high,
beautiful and loving,
to eternity

Words: Julia Carney, 1845  Music: Gott ein Vater

Boldness

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took note, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

When William Carey delivered his address for world missions, his words that have been immortalized are, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." It was with such boldness that he laid his stake to spread the gospel of Christ in India. During his life time in India he was able to translate the New Testament from English into Bengali, Sanskrit, Marathi and Punjabi. 

One practice he vociferously condemned was the burning of widows called "Sati", which was prevalent in India at that time. This practice made children grow up without parents, and women and on occasions many women (polygamy) to be burnt alive in the funeral pyre of their husband.  

His personal life also had its trials and tribulations. He experienced the death of many of his loved ones during his long life on earth (17 August 1761 – 9 June 1834). When he himself was weak and dying his final words to one of his successors was, When I am gone, say nothing about Dr. Carey -- speak only of Dr. Carey's Savior.'

It was with so much of boldness and confidence that William Carey set out to India to establish his mission. There were many times when he faced oppositions from authorities and financial struggles, but through it all he learned to trust in God for all his needs. It is very difficult to find people who are not only bold but also humble like William Carey. Yet we see the disciples Peter and John, after Pentecost were also filled with such boldness that those who saw them speak and heal marveled them for their faith.

During this time of lent let us ask God for boldness and humility to do things for God we could never have imagined. Let us ask for boldness those who are actively involved in evangelization of God's Word in different parts of the world.

Carry your Cross

Cost of Discipleship

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s was a conscientious objector to Hitler's genocidal of the Jews. This path led to his imprisonment and martyrdom. His life has inspired and influenced the lives of many people all over the world. One of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s most popular books is the Cost of Discipleship.  It is considered a Christian Classic. It was published during the time of Nazi Germany. In the book he speaks of Cheap Vs Costly grace

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ. He says grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Cognitive dissonance is a swanky word that psychologists like to use for hypocrites. It is when there are two conflicting ideas in the mind. I believe God forgives, but there is no need to repent or change my ways. I am a Christian but I don’t want to practice any of the teachings of Christ. If there is no discipline when you profess to being a disciple there is cognitive dissonance.

Much has been said about cognitive dissonance and how Christians like to create a spiritual world that science is unable to prove. But when we see the lives of so many Christians who are able to see the need to object to the atrocities or evils of the world or serve the poor and downtrodden, because of their faith in Christ, then one begins to realize that there is something more to in being a Christian.

Supper at Emmaus.  National Gallery 

Jesus empowers us by his grace to find the cross he wants us to bear, through serving, caring, loving, praying, speaking, and giving. In so doing we allow Gods love to shower abundantly in our lives and Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Prayer : Lord Jesus, I pray that you will show me the cross you have for me to bear. Let me not try to grab another, or think another is what I want. But in love and humility accept the cross you have for me to bear as a sacrifice and an offering to God in my daily walk with you. Amen