"Are you so busy in life, that you missed the UNLIMITED LOVE, that came searching for you?"

Wednesday 24 May, 2006

How do you walk? by sight.... or by faith?

These days I often reflect on the incident when Jesus brings Lazarus back to life, in John chapter 11. Read the full story here. It's interesting that Jesus purposefully delays his visit to Lazarus, his dear friend. He gets the news of latter's illness.

4 When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

He goes only after Lazarus' death. Knowing that Jesus came, Lazarus' sister Martha meets Him.

21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."

23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise."

24 Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day."

25 Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."Martha believed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. She had witnessed many miracles done by Him which assured her that Jesus could have healed her brother had He been around. But Jesus had different plans. He wants to use this incident to underline a new teaching - that He is the resurrection and life. Every miracle He performed had a few intentions behind it.

  1. To demonstrate His immense love for us, and His care and concern for the needy.

    Examples:
  2. To demonstrate His authority as the Messiah & the Son of God, over the whole creation, and over sin. Examples:
    • Evil spirits - Casting out demons. Mark 5:1-16, Luke 4:31-36
    • Water - Walking on the water, turning water to wine. John 2:1-11
    • Wind, sea & the storm - Mat 8:24-26
    • Sin - Healing the paralytic brought by 4 persons breaking the ceiling. Mat 9:2-8
    • Sicknesses - All the healings
  3. To teach something that is different from the general perception Examples:
    • The gentiles will inherit the kingdom of God - Healing the servant of the Centurion. Mat 8:5-11
    • Love your enemies - Healing the ear of the soldier who came to seize Him. Luke 22:50
  4. To confirm the validity of His teachings. Examples:
    • He is greater than the prophets - Transfiguration at Tabor Mat 17:1-8
    • He is the Anointed One - Baptism at Jordan. Luke 3:21-22
    • Fulfilment of prophesies about the Messiah - Reply to the disciples of St John the Baptist. Mat 11:2-6
.... and may be much much more...

Jesus keeps stressing about the importance of BELIEF. The belief in Him (".. whoever believes in me...."), and the belief in His words/teachings ("... Do you believe this?")

Let me take you back to Matthew chapter 8.

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed (him), crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!"

28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said to him.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done for you according to your faith."

30 And their eyes were opened.......

Jesus is setting their faith right, before their eyesight. Verse 29 seals the importance of the act of thier faith expressed by saying "Yes Lord". And in V 30 we see the result.

Back to John 11... Mary too joins the scene. She expressed their sorrow for their loved one's departure, and the hope they had in Him, who could have healed him. Jesus weeps with them. He is the One who put on the sorrows of the entire humanity, and who else knew her pain more than Him.

And now the greatest surprise of all. Jesus asks the people to remove the stone. Martha tries to make Jesus come to terms with the realities. She might have thought of His inexperience in these matters. His reply is strange, but convincing - "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?"

Jesus did not remove the stone Himself. Then who did it? A "practical" man wouldn't have done that. I think some "crazy" fellows got impressed by the confidence Jesus displayed. He was well composed. That reminds me of a popular statement in the crime-fighting serial (Seldge Hammer) I used to watch on TV long time back - "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

And a few prople came forward. Might be thinking - "I know it's weird. But this man has done many things in the past quite differently. Such unexpected things can be expected of him." Yet they don't quite seem to believe that Jesus is sent by God.

41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me.

42 I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me."

43 And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."

45 Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

WOW... The dead man is back to life!!! And not only that... many people began to believe in Him!!!

See... Jesus insisted on belief... Martha & Mary believed... People saw the miracle... They too believed... And Martha & Mary saw the glory of God, as He promised. Well, they will see the full glory of God in eternity, because they believed. They could believe that too, which is still unseen, because they see time and again that Jesus is a man who keeps His Word.

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." (Heb 11:1)

My RSV translation says - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. (Heb 11:3)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7).

"Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him." (Wisdom 1:2)

"Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand." - St. Augustine

There is only one door to reach and understand God - FAITH. It is upto you and me to whether enter through it or show our back to it.

Those who deny God and His existence, question the authority of the Church and the Bible, shut this door for themselves. They do not know what they lose, but finds pride in not bowing before anyone. But who can measure the infinite goodness of God???? He calls them day by day towards Him through the language they can understand - their emptyness within themselves (for depriving God His temple), their sufferings, their boredom towards the pleasures of this world which robbed them of their true joy.

Dear "Da Vinci Code" followers, "Harry Potter" fans, Rock Music fans .... Now is the time when God is calling you.... Happy is the one who hears Him, and reach him through the beautiful door, called FAITH.

Tuesday 23 May, 2006

A Love Letter from Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven
My most beloved son/daughter,

Listen! the Lord who made you, who formed you in the womb (Is.44:1-2) says, you are mine (Is.44:21) before I formed you in the womb I knew you (Jer.1:5). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps.139:13). Your life & everything belongs to me (Ez13:4). I created you in my image (Gen.1:26). You are precious in my sight & honoured & I love you (Is.43:4). I have written your name on the palm of my hands (Is.49:16) You are my dear son, the child I delight in (Jer.32:20).

When you were a child I loved you (Hos.11:1). It was I who taught you to walk. I took you up in my arms. I picked you up & held you to my cheek. I bent down to you & fed you (Hos11:3,4). I have cared for you from the time you were born. I will take care of you until you are old & your hair is grey. I made you, I will care for you (Is.46:4). Even if your mother forgets, yet i will never forget you (Is.49:15). I think of you with love, my heart goes out to you (Jer.31:20). I will shield you & guard you as the apple of my eye (Due.32:10) & hide you in the shadow of my wings (Ps.17:6). I will be always with you (Ps.23:4). The mountains may depart & the hills be removed but my steadfast love shall not depart from you (Is.54:10). I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer.31:3). My unfailing love & mercy never ceases (Lam.3:22). You shall be my treasured possession(Ex.19:5).

I have hidden you in the shadow of my hand (Is.51:16). I will never let you be defeated & put to shame (Ps.31:1). Who are your adversaries? (Is.50:8) I will give you success (Neh.2:20). fight against whoever fights you (Is.49:25). I am willing to die for you (10:15) The one who fights against you will fail (Is.54:15). You shall not be shaken (Ps.63:6). Your mind & body may grow weak, butI will hold you near to me to strengthen you (Ps.73:26-28). It is I who bandaged you when you were hurt & healed you when you were sick (Ez.34:16). I am there to draw you up from all hidden dangers & from all deadly diseases (Ps.16:8,9). In times of trouble, I will shelter you & will keep you safe in my temple (Ps.,27:5). I have heard your cry. I know all about your sufferings (Ex.3:7). I heard your groaning (Ex.2:24). I know how troubled you are; I have kept a record of your tears (Ps.56:8). I am near you when you are broken hearted (Ps.34:18). I will come near you when you call on me (Lam.3:57).

I have plans for you, plans to bring you prosperity & not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for (Jer.29:11). Surely there is a future for you & your hope will not be cut off(Prov.23:18). When you turn to the right or when you turn to yht left, your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "this is the way, walk in it" (Is.30:21). I will help you to speak & I will tell you what to say (Ex.20:8). Therefore seek me with the sincerity of heart (Wis.1:1). Is there anything I failed to do for you? (Is.5:4) But you rebelled against me & would not listen yo me(Ex.18:23). You did not call upon me, but you have been weary of me (Is.43:2). I would rather see you repent & live (Ex.18:23). I myself will search for you & bring you back (Ex.34:12). Why are you downcast? (Gen.4:6). How I wanted to accept you as my son & give you a dlightful land, the most beautiful heritage of all nations; I wanted you to call me, my Father & never again turn away from me (Jer.3:19).

I will sweep away your trangressions like a cloud & your sins like mist (Is.44:22). I will forgive your inequity & remember your sin no more (Jer.31:34). I will tread yopur iniquities under foot. I will cast all your sins into the depths of the sea (Mica.7:19). The former things shall not be remembered or come to mind (Is65:17). I am deeply moved for you (Jer.31:20). Return to me (Is.44:22). I will rejoice in doing good to you (Jer.32:41). Return to me. I will not look on you in anger, for i am merciful, I will not be angry forever (Jer.3:12). I wait to be gracious on you (Is.30:18). I will restore your fortunes (Jer.32:44).I will renew you in my love (Zep.3:17).

Just obey my voice in what I say to you & all will go well with you (Jet.38:20). Listen to my voice & do all that I command you. So shall you be mine & I will be yours (Jer.11:4). You shall be my treasured possession out of all the people (Ex.19:5). You shall go to all to whom I send you. Do not be afraid of any (Jer.1:7-8). You will rise on wings like eagles;you will run & not get weary; you will walk & not grow weak (Is.40:31). Therefore awake, awake, put on your strength (Is.51:1). Arise, shine for your light has come & the glory of the Lord has risen up on you (Is.60:1). Go to heal the broken hearted (Is.61:1) to proclaim the year of my favor (Lk.4:19). Won't you go for me? (Is.6:8).

Most affectionately

Your own heavenly Father (Abba)

("This letter from Abba Father, was received when I was in South Africa, preaching the word of God there in June 2002. Reading the message again & again, we get a personal touch of God, resulting in inner healing & joy of heart." - Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V. C.)

A Strange Letter

A letter written to a person on death row by the father of the man whom the former had killed:

You are probably surprised that I, of all people, am writing a letter to you, but I ask you to read it in its entirety and consider its request seriously. As the father of the man whom you took part in murdering, I have something very important to say to you. I forgive you. With all my heart, I forgive you. I realize it may be hard for you to believe, but I really do. At your trial, when you confessed to your part in the events that cost my son his life and asked for my forgiveness, I immediately granted you that forgiving love from my heart.

I can only hope you believe me and will accept my forgiveness. But this is not all I have to say to you. I want to make you an offer: I want you to become my adopted child. You see, my son who died was my only child, and I now want to share my life with you and leave my riches to you.

This may not make sense to you or anyone else, but I believe you are worth the offer.

I have arranged matters so that if you will receive my offer of forgiveness,not only will you be pardoned for your crime, but you also will be set free from your imprisonment, and your sentence of death will be dismissed. At that point, you will become my adopted child and heir to all my riches.

I realize this is a risky offer for me to make to you -- you might be tempted to reject my offer completely -- but I make it to you without reservation. Also, I realize it may seem foolish to make such an offer to one who cost my son his life, but I have a great love and an unchangeable forgiveness in my heart for you.

Finally, you may be concerned that once you accept my offer you may do something to cause you to be denied your rights as an heir to my wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I can forgive you for your part in my son's death, I can forgive you for anything. I know you never will be perfect, but you do not have to be perfect to receive my offer.

Besides, I believe that once you have accepted my offer and begin to experience the riches that will come to you from me, that your primary (though not always) response will be gratitude and loyalty. Some would call me foolish for my offer to you, but I wish for you to call me your father.

Love,
God

Courtesy - Author Unknown