Trouble for the Teacher

Reference Passage:

Luke 8:41-56 (NKJV)
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

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His only daughter lay dying at home and Jairus was desperate. It wasn't easy to approach Jesus Christ because He wasn't a celebrated figure in Jairus' social circle. At Jairus' request, Jesus decided that Jairus' problem needed His attention although He was busy with a thronging crowd already. When they set out together, another desperate patient broke Jesus' stride. Soon someone came from Jairus' home to announce that the girl was dead. "Why trouble the Teacher anymore?" they asked.

To the best of their knowledge, the girl was surely dead. The declaration of death is never a casual one. Every sign was monitored, every symptom accounted for. The departed could only be remembered and mourned. To the best of their knowledge,  the Teacher had no more role to play because THE END had come.

We believe that the 21st century means trouble for Jesus Christ. Even though we are seeking His help, the global problem of evil has persuaded us that Christ was more relevant in the first century when humans were more naive and saintly. Therefore church buildings being converted to shopping space due to a decline of faith, must be a crisis situation for the famous Teacher since He is too late to catch up with the times.

The Teacher told grieving Jairus, "Don't be afraid, only believe". Together with Jairus, we are at life's crossroads where a decision has to be taken whether we will continue with Jesus, or discard our faith in Him altogether. The odds appear to be against us.

Jairus allowed the Teacher to come home. Hearing the tumult in and around the house, Jesus remarked, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." Ridiculous! Nobody was impressed with that statement, and Jairus may have badly wished he hadn't brought this lunatic along. 

However, it was time for the Lord to take complete charge of the chaos. He wouldn't allow anyone to enter the room where the dead body lay, except the parents and His close friends Peter, James and John. That must have been quite a task! I wonder how many domineering uncles and pesky aunties were shut out to accomplish this.

Outside the chaos continued. Inside, the Son of God held the hand of the lifeless girl.

"Little girl, arise!"

One command of the Lord of life dispelled the mist of death. The girl revived. 

How quickly the tables turned! Jairus' faith didn't appear so outdated anymore. The Man in charge was not talking in His sleep either. In the very house where Science insisted "Case closed!", faith became the laboratory where the Creator proved that even death was as shallow as sleep. 

The world we inhabit has become such a ghastly cauldron of commotion and chaos, as was Jairus' home. The reason is not really different either - our spiritual death has separated us from the life-giving presence of God. Nevertheless, the same outcome awaits all who will believe. What we see, hear and know do not really bother the Teacher as we assume. Tables turn when He takes full control. Blessings reappear again, although we thought they would only be distant memories of good times. Its we who are bothered sore, and His gentle voice comforts us still - "Do not be afraid. Just believe."

Thy Kingdom Come

Reference Passage:

Mark 15:42 - 43 (NKJV)

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

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We’re living in a time when the words ‘politics’ and ‘politician’ are mostly used in a derogatory sense. From the United Nations to the ordinary business office, politics is commonly associated with selfish opportunism. Quite contrary to the status quo, the Biblical reference to a prominent politician called Joseph of Arimathea, is a refreshing account of how politicians can make a difference by faith.  

What set Joseph apart from other public servants of his time was his expectation of the coming Kingdom of God. Once handed power, it is so easy to forget that all forms of human government must be ultimately superseded by the rule of the King of kings. Such amnesia is found even within church hierarchies. We often behave as if our tenure will never end. To keep ourselves “in the picture”, we depend endlessly on the mechanisms of democratic people power. Hence, a Divine call to service and our empowerment by God’s grace are no longer considered priorities, as long as the votes add up to a majority.

Among the primary motivators for the Crucifixion of Christ was, as discerned Pontius Pilate, the self-interest of the religious polity in keeping power. In life such people feel threatened by the knowledge of Christ’s Lordship. In spite of grabbing authority with both hands, it is remarkable that they fail to produce the fruits of power, namely victory and peace. Humans might achieve victory without peace, or peace without victory. Only the King of kings ordained from above is able to bring both simultaneously into our daily experience.   

This eager anticipation blossomed in many hearts during the precious few years of the Lord’s ministry. However, in the gloomy aftermath of the Crucifixion, the memories of spectacular miracles and powerful preaching lost their shine. Wasn’t it easy to conclude that the sufferings of the Cross were a failure on Jesus’ part? Hardly anybody understood that Christ’s kingdom was a different matter altogether. 

On the other hand, Joseph’s convictions didn’t take a beating. For some time, Joseph had been among the secret admirers of Christ. But the time had come to make his stand public even though it probably meant losing popularity at the Council.

What would it feel like to be seen dragging down and ministering to a dead ‘criminal’ especially when you are a familiar face in local politics? Joseph was not overly bothered.  It is surprising to think that such a man would tenderly take down that battered, bloodied body bearing the marks of virulent human hatred, and sacrificially open up his own tomb for the burial. Quite unheard of these days, isn’t it? 

Time was not on Joseph’s side either. It was Sabbath the next day. The barbaric attitude of the soldiers looks least likely to have afforded an act of kindness to a criminal’s remains – it was nature’s bother to do the rest. Historians think that this is probably why few remains of crucified criminals have ever been discovered by archaeological studies. Had it been me, I would have acted next week because today is Friday and tomorrow is the weekend! Going home early on the last weekday is so important!

But Joseph acted in right time before nature did, which was why the body of Christ received a decent burial.   

Hence unveils a new dimension to the Lord’s Prayer that deserves our attention. As Christians worldwide chant “Thy kingdom come”, what do they mean? Have we only a faint hope of Heaven that flees the moment Science declares God is dead? Since God is presumed dead or irrelevant, we are now happily on the throne. Being kings to ourselves, victory and peace elude our personal beings, and our spirituality and practical life bear no relation to each other. 

Joseph’s example demonstrates that genuine faith grows in glow under fire. Hope that strengthens into belief spurs the believer into action. Christ the King desires nothing less than the throne of our hearts. In praying for God’s Kingdom to appear, we are also called to make way for the King in our daily lives, and act with conviction upon His orders. Lets not pass up any preciously scarce opportunity to serve this great King. 

As proved Resurrection Sunday, Jesus Christ the King of hearts, never fails those who wait for Him.

God Alone

Reference Passage:

Psalm 136:3-4 (NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord of lords

His love endures forever.  

to Him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever.

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Solitary confinement is one of the most powerful forms of torture invented by the human mind. Man, being naturally social, simply self-destructs in absolute loneliness. Its the presence of another, or at least the hope of it, that keeps the lamp of the human spirit lighted even though surrounded by struggles on every side. Globally, law-and-order establishments have employed this tool successfully to punish the condemned. In the world of commoners like you and me, its also seen that people sometimes try to isolate those they deem unworthy to fit into their group. The effect is the same - loneliness is painful and leaves the victim drained and helpless.

God has had His share of enemies all through history, who've imagined that categorically sidelining Him or His followers was an effective method to crush the blossoming buds of faith. In the early days of Church history, the higher echelons of the Roman Empire derived barbaric pleasure in murdering Christians. The trend continued for centuries until Emperor Constantine declared his 'allegiance' to Christianity and pronounced the birth of 'Christendom'. In modern times, even governments of self-respecting nations have attempted to wipe out the mention of God's name with fervor. Stories of terror continue to emerge from countries like China and North Korea as attempts are made to strangle the heart cry of the believer in Christ.

However, just as in the past, the Name of Jesus Christ continues to ignite passion in many. Reports testify that massive underground Church movements have developed over the years, on the very ground that drank the sweat, tears and blood of countless sacrificial lambs. Read here the story of Asia Bibi who has been shut up in a Pakistani prison on alleged blasphemy charges. This is not the story of oppressed fanatics in shining armor, making a statement with guns and bombs. We're seeing disciples who're convinced that God in isolation is still a miracle-maker.

More interestingly, many of us who go by the label of faith, have turned our backs on God's cause at critical moments. We've found it too hard to believe His higher call, and accepted that our purpose in life is to live for ourselves taking God's help if necessary. At times, we've experienced a revival marked by energetic enthusiasm. Yet, in no time, we have second thoughts that dismiss the whole thing as an illusion. Befriending the One who gave His very life for love's sake, is still a scary thought. In other words, the Lord is shut up in some solitary corner of our minds that may or may not be visited, depending on the mood of the moment.

Both parties - enemy and disbeliever - once met on Calvary's hill to witness the dying moments of Jesus Christ. The enemy could barely hide his smile of triumph. The disbeliever kept asking, "Why don't You save and prove Yourself?" In His lonely moment, the Saviour answered neither.
Yet, by the third day, Death could no longer hold Him in the grave. Clothed with power, Jesus Christ rose victorious having received the Name that is exalted above every other name. The ancient prophesy was fulfilled again - He had done wonders without anybody's help. This magnificently explains why the foe and the skeptic continues to search for meaning in life without solving their problems.

All that remains for thought is whether we will now switch sides to the minority, and experience this unique Person for a lifetime, although it may mean leaving the comfortable crowds that are headed for the mysterious black hole called Death. 

The Treasury of Solomon : Heaven's Heirs Apparently

Reference Passage:

Proverbs 20:21

An inheritance claimed too soon
   will not be blessed at the end.

Read the whole passage here

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'Trade the corporate ladder for an elevator' reads an advertisement in the job search section of a popular daily newspaper. In one sense, the reader is being told that the way to the top needn't depend on the slow machinery of time. This is a true reflection of our hidden desire to race ahead and reach our targets, though we fail to think what we would do once we get there. Hence, in our haste, we have mistaken the gates of Hell for the portals of Paradise too many times.

Most forms of religion recognise Heaven as the destination of every believer's journey - the eternal  inheritance of the pious. Definitions and guidelines vary from the sensual to the spiritual, but they bear certain common features that deserve serious thought for those who are trying to make it there. Quite interestingly, we perceive the joys of Heaven as the amplified versions of earthly pleasures. When talking of pearly gates and streets of gold, the naive tend to mentally picture some imperial suite at the Hotel Ritz, that would otherwise cost a fortune. For others, Paradise is where all the rules and conventions that long restrained them, suddenly disappear. Hence, what was considered taboo on earth, is readily available for the hallowed saints who managed to maintain their passions on a leash for a lifetime. It doesn't bother anybody that God would have to spectacularly contradict Himself to make this possible.  

A full release from suffering is what many are expecting, although its still vague to them what brought suffering into human existence in the first place. Apparently, poverty would disappear since everything is free. Hunger would cease and hence by our own theories of criminal behaviour, crime would immediately become a non-entity. Most importantly, nobody needs to wake up anymore for work or school after fun weekends. Yipee! Who wouldn't want to go to a Heaven like that? And the faster, the better. Its not very surprisingly then, that in certain belief systems suicide bombing is marketed as a quick shortcut into Paradise. We assume that it makes no difference whether we reach there now or later. 

At this point of our discussion, a troubling question begs our attention. What difference would God's presence or absence make to the Heaven where we're supposedly going? In other words, does it really matter if God hangs around as we step into eternal bliss? We almost make Heaven sound like an amusement park, that was designed to maximise our enjoyment. Now that everything is kept ready for our arrival, we prefer to throw God out of the house and lock the doors.

Our childish notions fail to see that Heaven lives up to its name only in the presence of the Creator and the fullest expression of His mind. For everything else, you have the earth! If its God's home that we're talking about, we must acknowledge that He reserves the right to filter visitors according to His tastes, as do we in our own homes. Wouldn't worldly-wise humans who barge into Heaven, simply repeat their hellish achievements from Planet Earth? A study of God's personality would give us an indication of how far apart our interests are from God's, and our homes from His. But we just don't have any time for this, do we?

Time was never meant to be our enemy, although we've made it one. Those who've discovered the imperfections of human nature know that every venture in life ends in a certain degree of incompleteness. This is why we keep telling ourselves that nobody is perfect. However, its liberating to know that beyond the boundaries of human effort, are the hands of God that bless and fulfil our endeavours in accordance with His Will. But here's the catch that Solomon the wise presents: simply rushing to the finish line will not guarantee a Divine blessing. Both the revelation of God's mind and the preparation of our hearts to follow His guidance, need time. The journey to Heaven will never really finish without these two time-consuming components finding their place in our lives.

I conclude by quoting the late preacher A. W. Tozer: "I have often wished that there were some way to bring modern Christians into a deeper spiritual life painlessly by short easy lessons; but such wishes are vain. No shortcut exists! God has not bowed to our nervous haste nor embraced the methods of our machine age. It is well that we accept the hard truth now: the man who would know God must give time to Him."
If the attractions of a place have bolstered our hopes of a Heavenly heritage in the past, may the new year bring us near to the person of God - which ultimately matters.

The Battle of the Tenses

Reference Passage:

Philipians 3:7-21 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Read the whole passage here

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For an average Indian, cricket is more than a game. It's status in India gives the impression that, together with haemoglobin, cricket is an essential component of Indian blood. Even children dream of stepping into the boots of Sachin Tendulkar, and flaying the bowling attack all across the outfield. Team India, led by  skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captured the World Cup this year and quenched the thirst of a nation running high for years since the last triumph in 1983. Yet, a recent tour of England brought our Galacticos crashing to planet Earth, playing a string of matches that have been labelled 'forgettable'. The reason is obvious: failure is a bitter pill. Nobody wishes to dwell too long on the memories of past losses.

The question before us is : is God asking us to ignore the past, so that we can feel comfortable enough to pursue the promises of tomorrow? The issue is a significant one, because it influences the presentation of the Gospel, and the knowledge of God's will for fallen man. The believer is being assailed on all sides with ideas that are potentially liberating by appearance. These days, it is commonplace to coax newbies into thinking that God would eagerly wink at our past, and welcome us into His house with open arms. After all, isn't He the one with the ultimate 'I-don't-care' attitude? Wrong.

History is bound to be repeated by those who neglect it. Every imperfect human being has a past record of failures and losses, that must be examined responsibly if any lasting difference is to be made. We must acknowledge that sin is not the mere result of someone's biological blood flowing through our veins, as many have come to believe. Nor does believing in Christ do anything to our vertebrate heart made of cardiac muscle. It is the absence of God's life-giving Spirit from our lives and the world system to which we belong, that keeps us detached from spiritual reality and drains us of every likeliness to God's image with which we were created. There's a throne in our lives that ought to have been rightfully yielded to the King of kings. Our reluctance to do this has repeatedly allowed history to block our progress.

On the other hand, what we really need to shake off is the complacent cobwebs of past success. Growing experience of success pulls the brakes on our momentum because we are so busy celebrating our yesteryears and foreseeing the next anniversary. We fail to humbly see the challenges of the future. Don't we act like we have 'seen-it-all' and there are going to be no more surprises in our spiritual experience?  Knowledge is quite different from understanding, although they sound like synonyms. Reading the Bible cover-to-cover or learning at a theological seminary may help absorb vast amounts of factual information. Nevertheless, realizing the purpose of God's call upon our lives and tuning ourselves to fit that role, is something else. When learning is supported by conviction, the student has entered the realm of understanding.

For example, heaven, at best, sounds like a distant dream to us but we're hardly bothered. Salvation has been reduced to a set of procedures, and no one is surprised. Our weekly church services are more akin to club meetings, featuring the local talents live. What a far cry from being the Body of Christ where members complement each other, feel each other's pain, and serve a single objective! It sounds great to talk about the revival of the 50s and the passionate 70s. In fact, we use this to question the status quo and long for the 'good old days' to return. Yet, there remain doubts surrounding the 'freshness' of the questioner's own experience. Do we have something new from the Lord today, when we point our fingers at someone else? You see, there is no point advertising a product that's unavailable in stock.
All this, and much more, tells us that the Christian Church, leaders and followers alike, are cushioned in the chambers of knowledge while conviction and understanding is largely lacking.

There's also something else to look out for. At times, the conflicts of the present compel us to stop. If our faith has led to today's troubles, we think to ourselves, why should we struggle endlessly? Suddenly, we give up all the grand plans, and our enthusiasm fades away. The disciples in the rough sea had already given up hope, which is why even Jesus in the distance, looked like a ghost to them. It becomes a mammoth struggle to row against the wind, and every pull of the oar is heavier than the previous one. Nevertheless, our Lord doesn't fail to show up, if necessary, even in the fourth watch of the night, His calm voice and authoritative presence bringing swift deliverance. Which is how we managed to suvive the last time! Surely, He won't fail us this time either.

The Christian's upward call is a continuing process of learning and practising the nature of Christ. There remain lots of unexplored territory in our quest, and we must not allow our past or present, whether failure or victory, to drag us down. To forget where we belong, and to divert our focus onto earthly things will be the biggest shame of all. The glory of our future lies in the undying love of the Saviour who called us to Himself, and His power will bear us all the way to the finish line and beyond. 

The Treasury of Solomon : Questions to a life of self-service

Reference Passage:

Proverbs 13:19 (NASB)
Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

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Our sweetest memories are often made when we have our deepest desires satisfied, on our own or with help from others. In fact, most popular movements use this philosophical backbone to attract followers. Anyone who tells the way to pleasure, whatever the hearer's taste, will easily soar high in the approval ratings – the shorter the way, the better. Moreover, the world today offers options for every imaginable preference, humans being a race of diverse likes. Every idea brings a unique sense of gratification – the very thing that makes it difficult to separate a practise and the practitioner. Although our personalities embody immense capabilities, its interesting to note that our desires drive us to use them or simply waste them away.

However, its always impossible to ligitimise every desire. We've happily introduced such words as 'amoral' to convince ourselves that our actions carry no consequence. Whenever a question is raised, almost everyone says, as do I, that they're trying not to 'harm' anybody else. We excuse ourselves liberty even when we cross known boundaries, as long as we're not stepping on someone's toes. Of course, that assumes we can see those toes in the first place and everyone sounds genuinely concerned about the common good. Really?

Whatever our definition of 'evil', evil apparently comprises some portion of everyone's experience. Moreover the global manifestations of evil only increase, never decrease. The point is that, this 'common good' that we imply, is gradually becoming irreversibly invisible. The media may have played a part in the skewed portrayal of facts, but undeniable statistics remain. If we all were authentically trying to make decisions thinking of others, then why is this so?

There is a vital premise to the discussion that sets the subject in a different light. Are we a created lot or a self-made kind? They that have brought about their own existence, or developed their own progress, have the right to chase their own fancies. It is the rest of us that bear the responsibility of pleasing someone else, parents for instance. Coming to think of it, if we are the creation of a creative God, it is implied that our desires are created too. Furthermore, it indicates that the Creator has His own unique desires over creation that seek satisfaction, as is true of us. In that case, should it not be our highest destiny and ultimate desire, to please God fully with our lives?

Its the mark of a good designer to take pleasure in the yield of his invention, which correlates to its own intended state of well-being. I can't help but think of the popular Windows computer operating system. When a click is a click, Microsoft has reason to smile. On the other hand, if a click turns the system feverish, we know something's wrong with Windows. In other words, our pursuit of the Creator's good pleasure would be the ideal ground for the benefit of our race, and self-seeking the cause of our ruin.

God's realistic view of the big picture is another reason for us to seek the common good through Him, rather than on our own. Communism was once touted as the model of a just society, keeping God out of the picture. By and large, communist governments have been atheist in outlook, some even attempting to stamp out religion. But the world is yet to see a single successful Communist country that could attain its theoretical goals without mass murder and curbing of rights to expression. The story of Liu Xiabo, the Chinese Nobel Laureate who was prevented from receiving the prestigious prize, reveals the current state of affairs in China. Communism was no cure for man's natural tendency to serve himself at others' costs, and self-seeking individuals have repeatedly undermined its cause.

Returning to our earlier question of increasing evil, here's food for thought : How could we source everything in life from the One who formed us, and yet claim to derive pleasure on our own, exclusive of Him? Above all, if our ingratitude and negligence had turned our River of Joy into the undrinkable Spring of Sorrow, how could we expect our world to become a happier place with every passing day? The truth is that whenever we willfully relish the forbidden fruit, we court the risk of spending life outside the Garden, banished to till the accursed ground as we please. With the passage of time, the sons of Adam may delight in the sweaty painful labours of the earth and advertise a glittering planet, while actually multiplying their sorrows. Yet, Adam alone knows what he gambled away. Fittingly, our end is a return to the ground we cultivated by life's choices, and not to the delights of God's Garden!

Though His critics ridicule Him as a suicidal hero, the person of Jesus Christ continually exposes our vain self-serving worldviews. Having known His life's real purpose, He prayed agonisingly in Gethsemane, en route to the horrors of crucifixion, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Mathew 26:39)

Sinners discover at the Cross that Christ's submission to that higher will, helped release forever God's goodwill toward us – a uniting joy that far surpasses the divisive peaks of lust.

As suggests the wise man, our hope is to forsake our foolish ways – but would we?

Mr. Bright counts the stars

Reference Passage:

Genesis 15:5-6 (NIV)

He took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Read the whole passage here

 

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The name is Abram, and not Abraham – your eyes weren't playing tricks on you. Abram became Abraham much later, which symbolically testifies that life is a progressive process of God-induced change. Its difficult to understand this Biblical legend without some background investigation. It must be kept in mind that three of the world's most significant religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – draw different views of his life, and are also nicknamed Abrahamic faiths.

Abram first heard God's call while part of a family with no reputed spiritual heritage. For all those who believe that circumstance defines character, Abram doesn't fit the theory at all. How starkly in contrast Abram stands, as compared to us who can't discern God's voice even while surrounded by religiosity on all sides! The Bible leaves out the specific details of how Abram first picked up the Heavenly signals, or recognized them for their true worth, but that's part of the mystery of true spirituality. I wonder how many readers would linger on this blog if Abram's precise technique was known. We'd all be busy trying to ape and market Abram's recipe for instant faith, just as we're already attempting in other spheres of our professional lives. Its heartening to know that the Almighty draws us to Himself in so many different and unpredictable ways, and the only common thread for our success is the undying trust we place on Him, come what may.

At that time, Abram had just emerged from a thumping victory in battle against other powerful kings in the area. All the same, God knew that Abram was uneasy within. Abram had left much behind to follow the Voice he heard years ago, but it felt like he was still on square one. The original Divine promise had been centered on the fruitfulness of Abram's family life, and to date, there was no sign of this.

As Abram expressed his anxiety concerning the heir to his estate, God reaffirmed His promise and pointed Abram to the twinkles dotting the night sky. To win over the troubled warrior, God suggested a game of childish innocence and simplicity – counting the stars! Feeling nostalgic already? We fancied that we'd seen it all and that our elementary school mathematics teacher had equipped us well for the venture. And so we began. Yet, in the end, we all gave up the game for the sheer limitlessness of the number. "So shall your descendants be", God vowed.
The celestial lights were not new to Abram, yet this moment of revelation transformed his view deeply. In effect, God was telling the saint that he'd still not seen all that God could do.

Nature surrounds us in all its created splendor. Man is unique in his capability to appreciate the beauty of the universe. Nobody has created science, we're merely observing that which already exists. Interestingly, human science is generally limited to the five senses. Even the greatest scientist can only retrieve information through these, and cannot say whether other higher senses exist or not. This is equivalent to saying that a tape recorder that "hears" and "speaks" can know nothing about smell – being limited to the two senses by design. We do well if we employ our God-given talents to explore and study our surroundings.

However, nature's ultimate objective is not simply this. It holds in its heart priceless nuggets that point us to the mind of our Creator. Nevertheless, as was Abram's case, and ours, this "higher" information is not readily edible for our five senses. It takes a Divine act of revelation to digest such greater sense. Abram saw the sufficiency of his sovereign God in the midst of his depressing problem, and gathered courage to continue the journey. This responsive faith scored high in God's marking scheme for righteousness.

In the absence of revelation, humans stumble upon the same childish assumption of knowing everything on their own. Which turned out to be Mr. Bright's fatal error.

Mr. Bright decided to take up the challenge and count the stars. He felt that the naked eye was not sufficient, and so began to develop complicated instruments to sharpen his gaze into the heavens. Next, was an ambitious project of discovering, naming and classifying new stars. The burgeoning greatness of his knowledge somehow convinced him that God and spirituality were alien to science, and therefore Mr. Bright brilliantly suggested that a drive to cleanse academic circles of this 'alien' culture was necessary. While Abram was busy learning faith and moving towards the Heavenly places, Mr. Bright was lecturing to packed auditoriums about the greatness of man and the delusion of religion. His report card in Heaven had a lot of zeroes, but how would he know that?

Mr. Bright lived a good life, by the way. Comfort in the bank and a loving family at home – what more could he ask for? Yet, it irked him to think that all of his knowledge could not formulate a comfortable solution to the universal problem of death, or even predict a glimpse of the reality on the other side of that yawning doorway. He guessed that only dust and bones would remain.

The day of death arrived – and in moments, Mr. Bright's eyes opened to discover the literal meaning of a 'grave mistake'.

The Prostitute's Scarlet Cord

Reference Passage:

Joshua 2:21 (NIV)

“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

   So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 

Read the whole passage here

 

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Rahab had visitors. Not the usual kind, though. Their demeanour showed signs of serious business. Hardly the shady type that showed up usually at her doorstep. They were looking for accommodation, and on Rahab's part, there was no reason to refuse. 

Reasons came knocking soon enough though. 

The king had reliable intelligence that the dreaded Israelites had sent spies to scout the land, having already displayed considerable intent to conquer Jericho. Legend had it that years ago, the descendants of Jacob had spectacularly thrown off the Egyptian yoke of slavery, aided by some unknown God. Proceeding in the direction of Canaan, their first major obstacle was the Red Sea, which miraculously parted ways, allowing the multitude to cross over on dry ground. Judging by their pace, it had only been surprising that they took so long to arrive. Through the years, fresh tidings of their military strength kept coming as if to keep the state of alert alive, until the land was filled with the fear of impending doom. Now that they were just moments away from entering Canaan, Jericho's king had made up his mind to do everything possible to block their way.
Strangely, not everybody thought likewise. Its remarkable that different people react to the same situation in different ways. Rahab, for one, was hoping to find out who this God was. She was surely no stranger to the pantheon of her time. As always, religion brings with it a kind of passionate fervour whenever its adherents spend much to prop it up on ceremonial crutches. There may be little intellectual or moral nutrition in the package, but devotees find a queer sense of  fulfilment and pride in religious business. But, this enigmatic God seemed to transcend empty tradition and human folk tales, He sounded real and Israel's success appeared to have basis for trust. Could she expect a personal encounter someday?

The king's message was ruthless : turn over the 'visitors'. Now, Rahab was in a fix. Life had placed two choices before her, and there was no running away this time. Fear of man or fear of God? Which would she choose? After all, this was her king speaking with all the authority of Jericho. For the rest of us, the second option does not even figure in our calculations, being so 'unworthy' of consideration. Nevertheless, in a momentous decision that speaks volumes of her courage and faith, Rahab decided to hide the spies, and cook up a false story for the king's men.

While the soldiers were busy chasing wild geese, Rahab wasted little time in pleading for mercy from her two guests, humbly admitting that her life was not in her own hands. But wait a minute! Wasn't Rahab overdoing things? In the first place, the agents' lives were in her hands, and she could do as she pleased.
The real difference was that, fortunately for her, her eyes were firmly on what was coming, and everything made different sense in the light of this bigger picture. She could already hear the footsteps of the Israelites and the trumpet blow, and it was only a matter of time before the city fell. Indeed, the measly defences of men would not hold out against a God who parted the Red Sea, and slew the mighty kings of the Amorites. Though the pick was extremely limited, what was actually placed before her was the door of salvation and by faith, she saw the immense opportunity that she otherwise could never aspire to attain.

Would surprises never end? The Israelite operatives had an unusual offer to make. There was no easy 'Yes-or-No' solution. The deal was to leave a scarlet cord tied to the window as a signal to the invaders. Whoever came and remained in Rahab's house, would be saved with her when the attack was on. The spies were not to blame if the cord went missing. There would be no multiplicity of threads. It was obvious that everybody would have to rally to a single point, it being practically impossible for the spies to scour the city for scarlet signals at zero hour. Besides, no one was going to escape by simple gestures or overtures, as is typical of Christmas and Good Friday each year. None of these were too big a sacrifice to make, considering whose priority it was to be saved.    

In effect, that was the end of Rahab's business as the 'businesswoman' was now busy inviting people to a new and living hope. I wonder how often she struggled with the seductive fragrances of her sensual past, while the scarlet cord of hope compelled her in a different direction. Gladly one day, the moment of truth came, and they all were whisked away to safety while the city burned to ruins.

Rahab's story sketches for us the outline of God's redemptive plan for mankind. Grace sends spies to invite repentant sinners into the kingdom. There aren't many who have seen the trouble brewing, or realized that their lives are not in their own hands. While we're all busy dancing to the 'eat-work-play-sleep' pattern, formal religion seems to offer little seriousness and no hope. Both god and believer shy away from commitments of any sort, and self gratification remains the ultimate objective of all. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny have usurped Christ and His Cross. Yet, we've seen our walls crumble before the harsh realities of life, because we chose to take cover in the shadow of the moment. We still have no real answer for fear.
Yet, God placed a scarlet cord at the Cross of Calvary – a salvation deal that expects us to surrender our lives to the will of God's love. This love is sacrificial by nature, and far excels the vain imaginations of a self-seeking human mind. This is where hope overcomes fear, because mercy triumphed over judgement.

Until then? Life hangs by a thread.

The God Rush

 Reference Passage:

Hebrews 12:1 (New Living Translation)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

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The Heavenly call upon human existence is to live life like a race, overcoming every obstacle along the way and focusing on the only goal worth aiming for – the intimate presence of the Almighty Creator. Our first step in answering this call is to leave the gallery and commentary box, where we may have been perched for years, despite counting ourselves as members of a rapture-ready Church. It is easy for an onlooker to comment on every aspect of the game, and even sound like an expert, without ever feeling the heat in the arena.

Recall our current condition – wildly and worldly ambitious, bored with God, ignorant of Scripture, uncomfortable with the Gospel, indifferent to the pain of our fellow human beings. Each of these traits, and many others like them, is weighing us down and making our spirituality a clumsy on-off love affair.  We have little idea where all this emotional baggage came from. Now that its time to fly home, here we are, still unwilling to lighten up and run. The truth is that many of the gems we hold dearer than God for the moment, end up on some shelf in the shadows before long, never to see the light again. Sadly yet rightly, the time that is wasted on these vainglorious pursuits can never be regained.

While the Christian runner has to shed such a lot of weight to get in shape, he still faces the daunting task of outsmarting the traps that lie along the way. In appearance, they are harmless and in some cases, carry the promise of helping you reach your target faster. However, they pack quite a punch and can easily knock out our winning dreams for life. Sin often comes with the promise of security, which makes it more convincing. Lust sometimes wears love as a wrapper, as does indolence with ingenuity.  Selfishness and ego can masquerade as freewheeling independence, but may the discerning believer see the tentacles beneath the robe of light.

The world of spirituality is continually witness to the phenomenal rise of individuals and enterprises, in the name of religion, all over the globe. However, it doesn't take long for the brouhaha to die down and fade away into oblivion. Many of our own grand ideas had us brimming with confidence that our vision would easily be fulfilled, but we're huffing and puffing already. Nothing that we try, seems to work, and what we initially thought was Formula 1, now looks like a turtle race.
The Christian life, as clearly portrayed in the Bible, needs endurance in plenty to reach the finish line. We must continue what God has called us to do, when the initial enthusiasm and 'big talk' begin to dry up. At times, it'll be stiff opposition from insiders, that we have to endure. Surely, this race is a tough one! It's wiser to stop trying to burn ourselves out in a short time. Why fret over all those missed opportunities that we thought would take us to the pinnacle of glory? Would it not be better to learn with humility, beneath God's mighty hand, until the 'right' time to be exalted, is come?
 
Think about this : if everyone were guaranteed a prize, no one would run. There are conditions laid down, which is why this is a race 'set before us'. Sometimes, little children attempt to bargain with their parents whenever pushed to do something new or uncomfortable, like swallowing a spoonful of gooey syrup. “Will you give me anything?”, they ask wide-eyed. (The experienced father duly responds with lip service. Obviously, the old fox is relying on the fact that his child will soon forget the extravagant promise.)
In like fashion, we seem to have forgotten what our race is all about, and settled for bargaining along the way. We find the trail blazed already by our Lord, an uncomfortable one to take. However, over the centuries, every necessary tool has been made available to fulfill our vocation. The Bible itself is a remarkable monument to God's grace manifesting itself in the unlikeliest conditions. Yet, strangely, we have made little progress in proportion to all that God has done. So, we chart our own plans, and propose alternate routes, that we think will lead us to the same finish line. An ever-increasing dependence on technology (with little spiritual fruit in return) is just one example of this. Believe it or not, only one route takes you to God's prize, while every other course leads elsewhere. One thing that 'liberty in Christ' does not mean, is the freedom to design our own track.     

It all comes down to asking what time means to us. Is it merely the aimless aggregate of instances measured in seconds, minutes and hours? Time is a defining element of the race, as it decides between competitors on the basis of how well it is used. In other words, running life like a race is determined by the way our time is employed. The constraints of time urge us to press onward and push our limits, gradually shaping our character into a spiritually fit persona – the kind that would find itself at home with God in Eternity.

Health Care Reforms at the Sinners' Party

 

 Reference Passage:

Luke 5:31-32 (The Message)

"Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."

Read the narrative here

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A big party has just been announced and cheer is in the air. Levi – coming from the despised band of tax-collectors – has just become a disciple of Jesus Christ, and his transformation is cause for celebration. We follow the excited chatter and delicious aroma, right into Levi's house where many of the invitees belong to the same notorious background, as did Levi formerly. No goodies for guessing who The Chief Guest is. If numbers are any indication to go by, the gathering boasts 'great numbers' in the words of the historian. On the sidelines, as always, a group of detractors look on and keep up a running commentary on the downsides of mixing with this 'sinner crowd', which eventually prompts the Master to re-assert the principles of spiritual health care, for which the Pharisees and their scribes customarily claim bragging rights.

The Gospel accounts of the life of Christ, bear numerous testimonies of amazing miracles – starting from the changing of water to wine, all the way to the ressurection of Lazarus from the dead, and many more. Its not uncommon to find Christians, wondering as to why such genuine Divine power plays are hard to find today. We may have settled comfortably for a variety of theological opinions, and yet missed one significant view of the question. The basic tenet of Christ's policy reads thus: Its the sick that need a physician, and not those who are well. Its time we sincerely asked ourselves if our prayer requests apply to advancing God's interests to guide lives in turmoil, safely into His harbour of hope.

More often than not, we expect our Father to act like a magician, doing by magic that which is within our reach, yet requires the bending of our will. When God has already placed in our hands the resources to create someone's miracle, why do we sit around and seek the shortcut to our umteenth promotion?

There is a term in clinical medicine – placebo – that in Latin, means 'I shall please'. In reality, placebos are inactive substances administered by physicians, purely for their psychological effect. This is found to be effective in the case of hypochondriacs – a dubious class of patients who have imaginary ailments and symptoms, ever convincing themselves that they are ill.

For the Christian, faith in God is meant to be that precious quality which stills the storms of doubt, and the balm that heals fear. What placebo, shall we offer then, to the many who are still insecure about their tomorrow, and uncertain about their Eternity with God? Our health cover in Christ is the only comprehensive solution that provides for our temporary needs on earth, as well as renders healing to help us reach our Eternal Home. However, I find no alternative placebo for inadequacy of trust.

Moreover, consider this deeper thought: if our pestering attitude arises from the belief that God could be reduced to a prima-facie set of evidence that eliminates the need for faith, think again. Long ago, wise men saw that both the 'God' camp, as well as the 'No-God' one, ultimately need the element of trust to navigate through life with sanity. Which is why, one Bible writer, among many others, concluded thus: "It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)

As for the Pharisees, the problems of the Church do not end there. There is also the bigger difficulty of turning healthy people sick by administering too much medicine, or drugs that are wrongly prescribed. Ever wondered why sermons stimulate little more than yawns from the audience? Both preacher and hearers are more concerned about filling the gaps, and completing the formalities for each Church meeting while failing to see that the very same word of encouragement and comfort, would have been gladly received by the needy soul – provided we would leave our comfort zones and go in search of lost sheep.

Formality today, indifference tomorrow, ignorance the day after. It does not take long, for ignorance to breed irreverence, and then, the pastor's crucifixion for failing to be effective, will not be very far.

Even the good physician can administer the right medicine the right way, only if the sick is willing to accept the reality of the problem. Counting oneself well even when the symptoms tell otherwise, is a risky idea. Believing that there's no medicine for the problem, or that the doctor is helpless to save, does little good. Worse yet, thinking that the doctor doesn't even exist and convincing others of the same, leads to disastrous consequences. Sin is a worldwide epidemic, that no amount of self-service a.k.a. self-management, will help alleviate.

Lets turn the question around, a little bit.

Have we correctly diagnosed our inner sickness, that needs His healing touch? An honest self-diagnosis would reveal that our definitions of morality remain hinged on the collusion of circumstance, and have little standing of its own. In other words, it doesn't take long for our 'good behaviour' to evaporate, if our surroundings are unfavourable. What good is 'good' if it quickly surrenders to evil in meekness? At best, we claim the moral standard of hurting no one, yet give little thought to the possibility that we frustrate our Creator's higher interests in making us what we are. Rightly does the Bible declare : "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9)

The success of Levi's feast was not simply for the fact that he subscribed to Christ's policy. In fact, it was a far cry from some of our conferences and conventions, in terms of logistics. However, instead of inviting the President and booking the Hilton for the evening, he led the sick to the Great Physician in the warm environs of his home, and thus manifested the cardinal advantage of New Testamental spiritual healing: he had now become a channel of healing for others. The drinker at the Fountain, now had the spring within himself, gushing out to fill thirsty souls all around.

The Lord once said: "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 

(John 4:14)

There's just one Physician who promised to treat the malady at the root – deep within the hearts of needy men – with a revitalising shot of forgiveness and Spirit. His health care plan has lifetime coverage, and He's promised to be there for anyone who would call.

Best of all, He, unlike so many others, is available at the sinners' party.

Digging deep for Eternity

Reference Passage:

Luke 6:49 (NKJV)

"He who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. 

And the ruin of that house was great." 

Read the whole parable here

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"I am the power that lifts the world's head proudly skywards, surpassing limits and expectations. I am Burj Khalifa." 

So runs a proclamation on the walls of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai. Towering over Dubai's landscape at a height of 828m, built at a cost of USD 1.5 billion and shattering several world records in one go, we would be compelled to think likewise. However, the Burj's completion co-occured with the financial crisis, that took the wind out of the sails of Dubai's sky-high dreams. As lavishly ornate office and residence spaces remain unoccupied, I wonder which - an inward look or a skyward one -  would be more appropriate. My thoughts turn to the construction of an edifice that the Lord Christ envisioned in the parable of the two builders.

The wise man's wisdom may not have been obvious when he commenced his task. His engineering design focussed on reaching deep into the earth for a solid foundation. The cons of such an approach aren't too difficult to spot. If time is money, going deep would cost a fortune. This is why the pursuit of spirituality fails to appear in our time-tables. Why should one waste time reading God's Word, when the mall's winter sale ends tomorrow? Although preparing for the exams hardly bothered us when the schedule was announced, there's always the eleventh hour, even if this means missing Church meetings to study.

At times, our protagonist finds himself lonely because digging deep into matters of faith is now culturally unpopular. Others fail to understand why he's so hyped up about following an unseen Nobody, whose role seems to have been successfully substituted by the twenty first century technologist. His questions on life after death, are comically plastered on advertisements for life insurance – "What would they do if you died tonight?" All of this, still can't shake his core belief that God has much more to do with the foundations of the human civilisation, than any other manmade substitute.

Nature has its unique quality control mechanisms to test how well we build ourselves. The floods came crashing and screaming, its hands pushing the house with great strength. Those were dark days for the wise man, as pain and doubt attempted to crush his labour of faith in a moment. However, with every passing minute, the strength of his Rock foundation was shining ever brighter. Ultimately, the torrent gave up; in the dawn of peace, the house was still standing for the Rock of Ages had once again proved He was simply unbeatable.

Another man began his own construction project, although in different taste and spirit. Not that he didn't want to build, but he had a peculiar habit of hearing God's advise, yet doing nothing about it. In this context, most of us aren't very different in our approach to God's Word. It barely takes moments for the latest sermon to vanish from memory, more so because we feel there's no accountability involved – pastors dont conduct surprise tests anyway. The consequence is a shallow spiritual experience that appears like a better structure, at a lower price. Its a shame that we delude ourselves in the sunshine, that those days of darkness would never visit our soul, in spite of the certainity that our Teacher has pointed out.

The unforgiving floods came knocking one day, and the knees of the foolish man followed suit. His design was clearly unready for such difficulty levels. This house could not match the assault, and soon began to crumble under the crushing blows of the tempest. The hidden weaknesses of the structure gradually emerged. Worse still, the storm was taking away even the little that remained, and leaving behind a desolate ruin – completely exposed and vulnerable. The material loss was only a part of the toll; the ensuing shame and dishonour was a far greater casualty. Take an example - over and over again, Christian grandstanding on love has been rich in expression, while practical meaning in the fundamentals of human relationships go unheeded. The strain is already showing in our family lives and Church associations. Does it ever bother us that our sacrifices in the name of religion, might actually come to nothing if our 'house' fails to stand up to the tests of life?

Both builders had something in common – the desire to live progressively. Both of them had major losses at different stages in life, the distinctive difference being the nature of loss – one lost the temporary to gain the Eternal, while the other grabbed the temporary, and missed the Eternal. Furthermore, their fiery trials revealed vastly different results – the unapparent strength of the wise, and the hidden weakness of the foolish.

Each day, our faults prompt us to dig even deeper into the Rock for potency to conquer all. When the silence of loneliness bothers us in the depths, may the thoughts of the Cross soothe our soul – for there, lay the rejected Saviour who saved many, yet the One whom none would save. Indeed, He is the Rock of Ages, cleft to hide sinners from the violent storm of Divine judgement and the sure foundation of His Church, their eternal hope of glory in a world tottering on the brink of self-destruction.

The Treasury of Solomon : Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Reference Passage:
Proverbs 17:8 (NIV)
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; 
   they think success will come at every turn.

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Gifts open doors. The truth value of the statement is attested by recent events that have dispelled the aura of credibility and integrity long projected by current players in Indian politics. First, it was the gross anomalies in the management of finances for the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010. Close on its heels, came media reports of a massive scam in the allocation of resources for mobile network operators, played by bribes of the order of trillions. The awestruck commoner cannot get carried away with criticism either – the very same modus operandi is at play day to day, everywhere from the railway platform for an illegal seat, to the police station for the verification of bogus records. Most of us are opportunistic, and cannot resist the temptation to jump the queue, given the chance.

 Moreover, these are the days when exceptions of yesteryear, have subtly taken the place of the norm. Thus, we’ve progressed to the 'No gift, no opening' stage in which even justified ends, that are perfectly within the bounds of law, are faced with insurmountable obstacles which subside only at the sight of goodies under the table. Occassionally, the concept morphs into 'Bigger gift, bigger opening' that eventually shuts the door in the face of the needy, who have not the clout to buy their access to opportunity.

Things take an interesting turn, when the world of religion and faith attempt to play games by the same rules. The search for salvation and hope being a nearly global phenomenon, the possibilities of profit are vast, and the enterprising human mind has already stationed itself at Heaven’s door, expecting to way-lay those who come knocking there.

It was in 2008 that our layman vocabulary was enriched by the appearance of the term 'god-man', following the arrest of the notorious Santosh Madhavan a.k.a. Swami Amritananda Chaithanya in the Indian state of Kerala, on a cocktail charge sheet including rape, paedophilia, fraud and possession of illegal arms. Since then, several other high-profile personalities, ranging from different shades of the religious spectrum, have been apprehended and forced to practise their arts within the confines of prison, from time to time. This, by no means, imply that our law-and-order mechanism has successfully aborted the evil child before its birth. In reality, we’ve merely scraped the toe nails of a fully-grown Goliath.

In due recognition of the spiritual poverty of mankind, and God‘s gracious downpour through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, 'freely received, freely give' was among the founding principles of Christian mission work, visibly preached by pioneers who were stirred by a sacrificial spirit. Church history commences with consistent examples of the apostolic founding fathers in the first century, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, it did not take long for attitudes to change and economics to overtake Cross training. The thought that man could avail the fortunes of the Divine by a scheme of skin-deep 'buy-and-sell', was a possible seed for this deviation. True to human nature, the real struggle was to avoid the total surrender that the Cross implies, and comfort oneself with the  knowledge that material sacrifices and certain ‘good deeds‘ would guarantee safe passage to Heaven. Thus motivated, some big pockets pushed their way into the fray, with scant regard for the deeper life that the Gospel calls for. Gradually and gladly, the evangelist would remind of sin or surrender no more, but find his way to drain pockets with assurances of impending showers of blessing. The infamous era of indulgences-for-sale was only a logical conclusion.

Gifts open doors. Bigger gift, bigger opening. No gift, no opening. Along came Martin Luther & Co. to turn the clock back to the first century.

Post reformation, we haven’t done too well either. All the way to the present, the wrestle continues with every revival marking a return to the revelations of the crucified Saviour. We’re stuck again in an age when crowds flock to posters of evangelistic crusades advertising the featured speaker’s success as 'richest in the world' – which raises the question as to how the Gospel message depended on one’s personal wealth, or what such traits had to add to the impact. Aren't we all equally lost, ignorant of the realm of the Eternal, sweating and bargaining in the world of the temporary material?  There may be valid reasons for all things under the Sun, but when lines and boundaries dim, self-examination must assume top priority.

Nobody gets to buy his way in, for the door is manned by the One who fully demonstrated the power of giving His all for love’s sake, despite the horrors of the Cross. He is the tender shoot rooted in dry ground, bringing verdure to our souls that had nothing to offer in return. How then, could our gifts of a lesser quality or intention, not be an insult?   

The Messianic plea continues unchanged, unabated: "Repent for the Kingdom of God has come near." (Mathew 4:17)