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.

Shameful Christianity (Part 2)

Reference Passage:

Hebrews 13:10-14 (NIV)
We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

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We will only look at certain aspects of the Day of Atonement, not forgetting the fact that there are several other rituals we shall disregard for the moment. It was required of the whole nation to accept the realities of sin and the loss it brings, offering sacrifices to secure God's mercy. The High Priest was to kill one of two goats and approach the Most Holy Place, sprinkling the blood on the Mercy Seat (the cover of the Ark of the Covenant).

Wait a minute! How would killing an animal equate to forgiveness from God? I wonder if the Israelites ever asked themselves this. A dead animal appeasing the Lord God, Who is Eternal Spirit? An angry God retreating at the mere sight of animal blood? To my mind, there arises no plausible explanation in a literal sense. However, an understanding is clearly seen in figurative and symbolic language. Those of the Old Testament men of faith, who did ponder this question, soon arrived at a conclusion.

Sick of the vileness within himself after murdering an innocent man, David sang thus in the famous Psalm 51:

“You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17; See also Psalm 40:6)

The singer saw the harsh reality that many a sacrifice had been offered and many a lamb slain, without any true remorse or afterthought on the part of the worshiper. The sinner had repeatedly stifled the grim questions that presented themselves at the gruesome sight – Where did that sin come from? Could this mean that there is evil within me? Do I conveniently kill an animal each time I sin? Is this dead animal, the true price to restore my fellowship with the Lord? If so, then why is the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle with the Shekhinah of God, still veiled from my sight?
If an animal was the true price of his sin, sings the Psalmist, he would gladly give it. He understood that God was looking at the heart of the worshipper, and not merely at his act of worship. The head-banging, heart-rending, feet-thumping 21st century worship, seems to repeat history, as we have clearly failed to learn from the mistakes of the past. David has an implicit question to ask of us, as we claim the salvation through Jesus Christ and stand in God's Presence: What's on your mind when you worship?

I've been amazed at the fact that Sunday is the most vital day of the week, and yet we zoom through with no questions asked. This is probably why God remains a visiting professor who comes to stir our conscience twice a year - at Christmas and Easter. And now, we don't even want Him there because Santa Claus and the gift list, are more important.
As I watched the flurry of activity around me at Christmas time, whether online or in the media, I was surprised that Jesus Christ found little or no mention. After all, if the Lord stood in the way of a 'Merry Christmas', away with Him - we're perfectly joyful without His help, aren't we?

Furthermore, it was the same David who went on to pen the prophetic Psalm 65 wherein he pointed to God's ultimate intentions, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

“Iniquities prevail against me;
As for our transgressions,
You will provide atonement for them.” (Psalm 65:3)

David understood that the prevalent system of sacrifices of that time, was only a pointer to the 'Sacrifice of all sacrifices' that was to happen later in history, by God's epochal intervention in the affairs of man. More importantly, we must understand that such lofty themes did not drop from the sky on a rainy day. These words had so much to do with the daily realities and inner hungers that David faced. David found it so necessary to know God's mind behind the veil - there was a seeking and hence, there was a finding. How different from us!

Probably, the clearest indication of the coming sacrifice was recorded by Isaiah in his prophecy of the Messianic Passion (chapter 53).
“...it was the LORD's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes His life a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring and prolong His days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

After the suffering of His soul,
He will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by His knowledge my Righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great,
and He will divide the spoils with the strong,
because He poured out His life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.

For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:10-12)

Jesus Christ has been the topic of debate around the world. Some claim to have seen Him in Kashmir, having come to learn from the Brahmanas and the Buddhists. Others believe He was a true communist, 'with a religious twist'. Others, such as Dan Brown, declare knowledge of Jesus' progeny carrying on His name in various parts of Europe. Deepak Chopra claims that He came as a spirit guide to lead us into 'God-consciousness' irrespective of our religious background. Still others say that He was an inspirational teacher and politician, who was killed by His jealous enemies.

Whatever the argument may be, it will help us to remember that Jesus did not come to fit into your opinion or mine; rather, He came to validate that unique plan that had already been sketched, years prior to His birth, in the pages of Israelite history by the Old Testament prophets. Again, it was not a blueprint prepared out-of-the-blue, on a spur-of-the-moment decision that conjured up a supporting rationale in the aftermath. Instead, it was the Divine wisdom of Eternal God and the poverty of man that lent a backdrop for the entrance of the greatest individual history has ever seen – the 'God-man' Jesus Christ.

(To be continued...)

Shameful Christianity (Part 1)

Reference Passage:

Hebrews 13:10-14 (NIV)
We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

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In a world that wants to see life only in rainbow colours, the words that serve as our reference text might appear gloomy and depressing. I wonder what effect they had on you as you read them. Isn't it strange that there are passages in the Scriptures that we shy away from? Take a look at Christian homes and you'll understand what I mean. You'll find placards of varying sizes that cite verses of promise, hope and faith adorning the walls. However, I'm yet to see one carrying this beautiful passage from the book of Hebrews.
Personally, to me, these are verses that carry a Christian's statement of purpose and mission in life.

Like a master painter, the author captures the struggle between two essentially different lifestyles, with a few strokes of his pen. To get a clearer picture of the passage, one must first connect to the author's line of thought. For this, we must travel backwards in history, to the time of the Tabernacle – the ancient age of Moses, the Israelites and the Mosaic Law. We must investigate the mysterious rituals of their worship to unravel the threads of meaning that underlie our text. In fact, the study of the Jews, their history and culture is a fascinating adventure in itself. Think of this: did you know that an orthodox Jew would spell “G-O-D” as “G- -D”? You read it right, they omit the 'O' on purpose! I'll leave it to you, to find out why.

Yom Kippur is probably the most sacred holiday of the Jewish people. People who give no regard to any other holiday, are still highly likely to turn up for synagogue services on this day. The Old Testament gives the name 'Day of Atonement' which is what Yom Kippur literally means. The rules for the Day are laid down in the book of Leviticus chapter 16. Though there are traditional variations in specific details, many interesting aspects are consensually held as valid in the observances of this day.
Sin has been mankind's ubiquitous problem all the way from Eden's Garden and the people of Israel were no different.
Have you wondered as to why this nation became so important to the pages of the Bible, like no other? Coming to think of it, there remains a unique aura around its affairs to this day – be it military might, economic capability or intellectual capacity. True or not, there is a widespread feeling that the Israelis possess much more than they tell and the shroud of mystery only adds to the gossip. Before we get carried away in awe and praise, let's look at God's rationale in elevating Israel to prominence. Moses says in Deuteronomy 9:5-6: “It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
In short, it was no merit of their own, that made these people special. Rather it was God's grace and faithfulness to His promises that made all this possible. Even then, this isn't by any means a denial of their uniqueness – no other nation d had the privilege to discover God and receive His revelation directly, as did Israel. However, the bottom line is, even this “peculiar people” had to struggle with the reality of sin in their lives.

It was for this reason that an elaborate system of sacrifices was unveiled. In fact, does not the very existence of a priest, to stand on man's behalf before God, make it obvious that there is something that separates God and man in such a way that direct contact is not easily possible? Think further on this: the very word 'sacrifice' means “The act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform.” Two realities emerge from this: firstly, there is a mistake involved. Secondly, there is a surrender or loss involved.

Did you know that we are reluctant to accept either of these, when we approach God in worship? The classic example of the Pharisee and the Tax-collector (seen in Luke chapter 18 verses 9 to 14) is highly relevant to the modern 'worship circus' age where performers direct worship and applause to themselves. It is so easy to forget, as did the Pharisee, that every mistake, big or small, sits naked before God's eyes (Psalm 90:8). The consequence inevitably follows: ignore sin and we eventually disregard the loss that it brings. This becomes the first step in weaving a web of self-deception that gradually makes it unnecessary for God to certify worship. Hence, many of us return home every Sunday, satisfied that God has heard our prayer, when in reality, we may have actually missed the mark.

(To be continued...)

Ruth - Grace has the final say!

Reference Passage:
Ruth chapter 4 Read it here

Perhaps, the word 'redemption' which is the keynote of Ruth's story, seems a little mysterious to many of my readers. Literally, the word means 'the act of purchasing back something previously sold'. What I've been trying to do, is to draw analogies between the redemption in Ruth's saga, to the redemption of humanity, as accomplished by Jesus Christ according to the Bible. In a way, I'm also suggesting that Ruth's life and legend, as preserved by the Jews, was intended to stand as a shadow of what was to eventually happen in history, through the death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The big day has arrived. The scene of action is the entrance to Bethlehem city where as we learned earlier, the 'Citizen Justice Council', if I may call it so, gather to discuss cases and disputes. This day, the members have gathered at the behest of Boaz, a rich Bethlehemite, to decide the matters concerning the property of the late Elimelech, another of the same family and city. As we are familiar by now, the only surviving members of Elimelech's immediate family are his widow, Naomi and his daughter-in-law, Ruth. Having sold their property in the face of poverty some time ago, they had moved to the neighboring country of Moab. Having lost everything in the process, they stand in home country seeking to return to their inheritance, helpless however as they have nothing to help them buy back their sold out property.
Ruth however, went around seeking food and came upon Boaz's field – and that was where the whole matter turned around. One thing led to another and finally, upon Ruth's request, Boaz decided to shoulder the responsibility and settle the case once and for all.

However, redemption rights belonged first to the closer relative, as Boaz pointed out. On being offered the opportunity, he readily agreed. However, on learning that the deal involved marrying Ruth and having to name her child heir to Mahlon's property, he backed out. Boaz faithfully snapped up the opportunity without wasting another moment – indeed, he was a man of his word.
Do you remember Naomi's gentle words at the end of the previous episode? “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
If you have read the New Testament, one of the most thrilling promises of our Good Boaz, Jesus Christ, is to return and take us away to be with Him (John 14:1 - 3). Right from the early days of the Church, word went around that the same Jesus Christ who had been seen ascending to Heaven, would return in like manner for those who eagerly awaited His coming. In fact, during the periods of intense persecution that racked the first century Church, hope was one of the fundamental elements that sustained the hunted Christian.
It also helps to understand that the Church's interest in the Lord's return is only inversely proportional to its materialistic passions. History bears witness that when either of these desires rise, the other has to bow down and give way. The more attached the Christian to the Lord, the less attached he is to the fading glory of the temporary. The more attached he becomes to the temporary, the eternal loses its meaning and significance in his perspective. Often wondered why we have little interest to kneel down for an hour of prayer when we could spend double the time and effort on the phone? Its important for us that we learn to give 'the things of today' merely their due attention, and nothing more.

Moving further along the lines of thought, man's deliverance from sin has been a major focus of God's plan all through history. As we learned the last time, God's first step towards this was to show man the wickedness of his own heart. The coming of Jesus Christ signaled the next phase of God's salvation plan. His death on the Cross revealed the true price of man's folly in God's eyes. At the same time, that very price, which no man could hope to pay off, was paid once and for all. The Lord Himself said, “...whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37) Hence, we now know that man may surrender his life into God's hands, who promises to shoulder the responsibility of redemption, just as Ruth trusted in Boaz.

But wait a minute! Does that mean our redemption is complete? What is our current position in the salvation story?

Some people claim that trusting in Jesus Christ today means that perfection has been attained. This teaching is otherwise known as 'Perfectionism'. These people believe that the innocence of the Adamic Age in Eden, prior to the fall, is immediately restored. Some among them claim that a Christian cannot fall ill or become poor. A great wave of prosperity-teaching has been spreading across the globe, never lacking popularity due to the obvious fact that materialism is at its very heart. I say this because, most of the Gospel presentations I see today is merely a watered-down soup that says, “Come to God if you want to be blessed. Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins and there's a great life just waiting for you – come on and enjoy the blast!”
If the sinner fails to realize what his fundamental problem is, he will not understand what the doctor's diagnosis and medicine is all about. The result? Churches get flooded with multitudes who have probably never experienced the rebirth into God's family – you never see the need for it, if you never understand what sin is.
I remember raising the issue with an 'enlightened' soul recently, who felt that it was I who needed a 'fuller' revelation of the New Testament. He said that there was no point in telling a poor man his sin because he's already in the dirt, its better to tell him that God will take care of his financial problem. This is strange because if wealth was the issue, Christ need not necessarily be the answer. You have the lottery, self-management gurus, pilgrimage to Miracle Centers and a horde of other options, which have nothing to do with Jesus Christ or His message. Besides, what then about the rich man? Since he's rich already, does he not need God anymore?
The best was yet to come – this man claimed that since he came to believe in the Lord, he has not had to use medicine for the past 2 years. He believes that all true believers have a total 'exemption' from sickness of all kinds. I barely refrained from popping the question that came to my mind – what about the toothpaste we use every morning?

Sometimes we get so carried away with our feeble interpretations of Scripture that we try to twist truth to fit our perceptions. I remember the words of Dr. Ravi Zacharias who said, “Either your Christianity will carry you. Else, you will carry your Christianity. After a while, it becomes a tiresome exercise because its impossible to carry the Infinite.”

The New Testament points to the fact that we're in a position similar to Ruth, somewhere between the end of chapter 3 and the middle of chapter 4. Having believed in Christ, we have placed our hope upon Him and we await the completion of the good work that has been set in motion by His Divine Grace.
When writing to the believers in Ephesus, Apostle Paul writes thus: “In Him(referring to Jesus Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)
Those of us who are already familiar with Ruth's background will be in a position to grasp the meaning of the above text. Paul is obviously referring to a transaction that is to be completed in the future. He notes that the purchase has been made by paying the necessary price and sealed to make evident its destination in God's plan. When Ruth placed herself into the redeeming power of Boaz, he kept his word and completed the formalities of paying off the debt. Now comes the union of Boaz and Ruth in matrimony that will finally end Ruth's journey in search of a new identity.
Similar sentiments echo with regard to the Christian's spiritual experience in the following passages of the New Testament: Romans 3:23-25, Romans 8:23, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, Colossians 1:13-14 and Hebrews 9:11-15. One thing is certain: coming to Christ is just the beginning of a journey, and not the end of it!

All of this sounds like great theory – but there is a problem. We find Christians all over the world, still awaiting the return of the Lord who promised, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3) The wait, in itself, is a severe test of faith, that has now lasted almost 2 millennia. Through the centuries, Christians have been no strangers to persecution and suffering. After all, doesn't the whole thing sound a little silly, now that so many years have gone by and there seems to be no sign that these extraordinary claims would come to fruition? Humanly thinking, I can understand the enthusiasm of the early first century Christians who had had the opportunity to walk with the Lord personally or at least be taught by close eyewitnesses. The great miracles, the fiery preaching, the love of fellow brethren and much more besides, may have contributed a sense of reality to the believers of that time. But what now? Could it have been merely a passing illusion like the many fallen ideologies of our day?

As the Christian wrestles his own gnawing doubt within, he finds solace in the pages of the New Testament that resound with hope of a different kind. Read the much-persecuted Paul's second letter to the Corinthians as he explains his unwavering faith in the midst of difficulty - “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) These are the words of a man who had been repeatedly beaten, imprisoned and chased from city to city, for his faith. Yet, he chose to label his difficulties 'momentary'. Why? He says that he's experiencing a renewed strength in his 'inner man'. Sounds strange and self-contradictory, doesn't it? Why should one search for something that can't be seen? Read further Paul's words to the Romans - “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:23-24) He explains in his letter that redemption through Christ, has given him a taste of the wonderful things yet to come - “the firstfruits of the Spirit” - and that foretaste keeps him going.

As Christians, we may have thought that the whole 'funda' is in the 'Christian' label and the weekly pilgrimage to the local shrine. The truth is God desires that we move on from the realm of 'facts and figures' and come to a daily 'tasting' and definite experiences of His good gifts in our lives – particularly spiritual. We may not know or recognize our own spiritual needs and that's part of our problem. There's definitely more to life than what meets the eye. A life void of such rich personal experience in relating to Jesus Christ, soon finds itself tossed about and broken in the waves of doubt and despair.
In his famous hymn 'Come Thou Fount of every blessing', Robert Robinson penned his own internal struggle in the following stanza:

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Back to Ruth. The ending of the fourth chapter comes on the wings of a beautiful blessing pronounced by the elders and all the others at the gate, recalling God's amazing grace in their own history. The history of Judah is testimony of the fact that in spite of man's vested interests, God in His mercy, turns things around and causes light to shine in our darkness.
The author of the book ends the recorded genealogy with King David. Interestingly, Mathew, tells us better details of this unique family tree in his Gospel writings. Mathew chapter 1 tells us that Ruth's second mother-in-law was none other than Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, who aided the Israeli spies (Mathew 1:5)! Rahab is another prime example of how someone with a regretful past found forgiveness and healing, in the quest for the true God. Whats more, the greatest man ever to walk the face of the earth, comes later in the lineage - “...and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” (Mathew 1:16)

Behold the great things God has wrought! The story began with a backsliding family that soon tottered on the brink of extinction. Then began the search of a strange woman for God and a desire to break with convenient worship, that culminated with redemption in a foreign land and a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. All of this stands as a gentle lesson of God's Love and Grace that still shines for those who would make it a point to sacrifice status quo for the Truth.

I close with the following words of Jesus Christ:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
(Mathew 7:13-14)