Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Judas Kiss!
As we approach GOOD Friday, I cannot help thinking of all
the events that happened 2000 years ago in its minute details.
Especially the emotion of our LORD Jesus Christ who was wholly
GOD and MAN, it must have been a toughest job on earth. To have the power, yet
not use it with all his might and mind.
Mostly , I cannot stop thinking of that person, the people,
the roman soldiers and his dire devotees during the crucifixion. What was their
thought process, state of mind, their hope etc.
One person who stood apart from all is Judas Iscariot. LORD
Jesus had many disciples and followers active in ministry, yet he hand-picked
and chose only 12 to be in his inner circle. Judas held the most important post –
the treasurer. Imagine the kind of trust the group and Jesus had on him. (He
was a miser and greedy which made him do his job well is a different story)
There could be many reasons to betray Jesus, but there is
only reason NOT to that - JESUS.
Gospel explains in depth and length of Jesus’s GREAT LOVE.
Still, he chose to betray him. Seriously, Betraying JESUS ???
Very thought of that sounds Ridiculous,..Impossible,...Terrible.
Today, things had not changed. It is the same. The Satan who
tricked Judas is very much active and want to do the same to every believer and
non-believer. Thank GOD, we have precious blood of Christ to safe guard us from
every evil force.
Now to the topic
Why did Judas choose Kiss to betray Jesus?
Judas could have chosen many different things to betray
Jesus. He could have just pointing him out from the distance or given the Jesus
dress as his identification or described his looks or just come closer to hold his hand. He could have chosen a day time during their ministry travel.
He chose night time and most importantly he chose Kiss coz in those days Kiss was considered an act of submission, adoration, respect and surrender. Judas to cover the sinful thoughts, he chose the exaggerated act of love to betray.
He chose night time and most importantly he chose Kiss coz in those days Kiss was considered an act of submission, adoration, respect and surrender. Judas to cover the sinful thoughts, he chose the exaggerated act of love to betray.
Even today, any exaggeration of love comes with a price. A
price of betrayal hurt. Victims of that hurt are countless in the world. Anything
that is not right or abnormal or out of ordinary is from Satan.
Judas chose to Kiss the face not his hand or feet. Face has
the most vital sensory organs. FACE is the index of a human body. A body
without a face is considered null. Yes, Satan can come that close to that
important aspect of our life the FACE and give us the most intriguing
affection, a KISS may be.
Let us not take that KISS literally, yet it can be
explained.
Eyes are the windows of our heart. It is also Door to our
knowledge, mind and spirit. If you do not watch what you see and read, Satan
has an easy access to your soul thru it. Porn, Violence, Gory movies or book, Don’t
do it the first time. Mind is a crafty photo developer. It can develop,
reprint, Photoshop and enhance in ways that you cant imagine.
Ears are the second eyes to our body. Watch what you hear.
Gossips, stories, slander and lies have an impact in our life and in action. A
Child that lacks hearing ability cant speak well. What you hear is what you
will tell one day. If you want to safe guard your mouth. Watch what you hear.
Mouth – the most important sensory organ of human body. It
can deliver the most powerful weapon. WORDS. WORDS can bring peace or war.
Every leader is a great Orator. E.g. Jesus spoke in parables. Without words, a
path or life is lost. Watch what you speak. Hurtful words spoken recklessly
cannot be undone.
Nose – the sensory organ which can take you up to the place
in past, in an invisible time machine. Yes, the smell of flower, a place, a person
gets recorded in your mind with the happenings of that moment. The same smell at the later age
would transport you to that memory lane. So be careful about your whereabouts
and what you smell. We don’t want bad old tapes playing at wrong times of our
life taking us for a guilt trip.
Most importantly what we understand here is that, even Jesus who
is filled and lead by GOD can encounter Satan at a closer proximity. Who are we then? If we are
wiser about our 6 senses like Bible says we can save ourselves from Satan Kiss.
How can we tackle that kiss?
Jesus teaches us something here:
Obedience: Jesus knew it is Judas who is going to betray. He
also knew that is the plan of GOD. He decide to rely on GOD than his power of his
wisdom or might. He decide to heed to the LORD. He surrender to the LORD. It is
not too late, when things go out of our hands. When you get kissed, give it up
to GOD and wait. Watch him deliver you.
Patience: He showed love and patience even at the critical
juncture. When Peter rebuked him 3 times, all he wanted to do was to turn and
look at Peter. Not Condemn him with a frown or a "I told You" mock.When the Soldier ears were cut by his disciple all he did was
healing and restoring it. While he was accused and beaten for preaching love
and grace, all he did was to endure it
Forgiveness: While he hung on the cross, when one of the
robber mocked him and other asked for forgiveness. He immediately rendered
forgiveness and eternal life to the repenting robber and to the other, he said
nothing. No condemnation, nothing. At the cross, he prayed to the father and
asked for the forgiveness for all of the people who ignorantly nailed him to
the cross. He gave freedom to our sins, but he also went to heaven free of
grudge showing a exemplary life a human can live in this world.
What a role model to rely on! Hallelujah, Glad we have Jesus
in our life!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Ten Virgins awaiting the Bridegroom - The Parable
Jesus Christ is the ALL TIME favorite and an
interesting teacher of Kingdom Of GOD without a dispute. Is n’t why we praise
him Our Head Preacher, Rabbi, Our Good Shepherd!
His methodology of teaching using Parable is the
most admired the effective, efficient and preferable method of teaching even
after 2000 years. Case studies concept used by Business Management schools
definitely gets the root from here. As we rave about his method of teaching, His
parables themselves are treasures of wisdom for us to draw from. Each parable has this great potential to make
us to ponder and pray for days.
In one of such attempts by ASK prayer team, comes my
contribution of Holy Spirit inspired understanding of “The Parable of 10
Virgins”. (Watch out this space for other ASK Sister’s pondering on different
parables)
Mathew
25:1-13
Parable of Ten Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to
ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the
bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil
with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their
lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got
drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the
bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their
lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be
enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for
yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the
bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding
feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord,
open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know
you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the
hour
Let us go line by line (or word by word) and
decipher the meaning or Should I say read between lines of the parable. J
Then the
kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten
virgins
1.
Lord picks up the example of Virgins for a reason.
Who are Virgins?
Virgins are Pure, Kept aside for a
specific Bridegroom. They are analyzed and handpicked. They are “THE CHOSEN”. Here Lord by meaning
Virgins is talking about the GOD’s people, His Church, His Chosen Ones. They are not the wicked world he is referring
to.
Then the
kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten
virgins
2.
Notice the number 10 called out. This quoting of
the number has significance which we will learn later part of the parable.
who
took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
3.
Goal and Purpose – They took their lamps and went
out to meet the Bridegroom.
a. What Lamp mean
here? Verses can help us understand that.
i. Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
ii. Luke 11:34: The eye is the lamp of your
body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when
it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
iii. 2 Samuel 22:29
:“For You are my lamp, O Lord; And the Lord illumines my darkness.
That is right, these Godly people –
the chosen ones is very well aware of GOD’s word. The LAMP
b. Purpose – To
meet the Bridegroom. i.e To meet Jesus face to face
2 Five of them
were foolish, and five were prudent.
4.
Characteristic of the Chosen ones.
GOD chooses people of all kinds, all races and
all back grounds for his Kingdom. Yet in his eyes there are only 2 major divisions,
Foolish and Prudent.
Prudent:
a. Dictionary meaning
of Prudent is Wise, Sensible, Cautious and Careful. That falls in 50% of them.
Foolish:
b. The other 50%
is NOT prudent, the antonym of Prudent is Reckless, Careless etc. This means
that they are not Fools or Ignorant or Illiterate. They know absolutely know
what is right and wrong, They know the word of GOD. They are just too lazy to
apply and have too many things in life to mind than the word of GOD.
c. Notice that it is 50% of them. That is quite
scary.
For when the foolish took their lamps,
they took no oil with them
5.
Foolish Virgin took NO OIL
a. Oil represents "Anointing of HOLY SPIRIT". We read in multiple places in THE HOLY BIBLE where Oil has
been called out
i. Exodus 40:9
ESV :“Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all
that is in it, and consecrate
it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy.
Consecration meaning - sanctification of something by setting it
apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God.
ii. Psalm 23: You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows. ...
iii. And you shall make of these sacred anointing oil blended as
by the perfumer; it shall be holy anointing oil.
iv. The Lord said
to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of
sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane,
and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hint of olive
oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the
perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.
b. Hence NO OIL says that 50% of the GOD chosen ones fails to
live a HOLY SPIRIT filled life
i. 9 Fruit of Holy spirit is not their attribute of life
ii. Holy Spirit filled prayer is missing
iii. Holy Spirit Counsel and Lead is not sought.
but
the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
6. 50% of the GODLY people live a Holy Spirit filled
life for HIS glory.
Now
while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to
sleep
7.
Two Points are to be
noted His coming is getting delayed. There is a response to that delay from the
GOD’s people
HIS
Delay:
a. His coming is near but many people need to hear his good news.
So it will look as if his coming is delayed ( 2 Peter 3: 3-10)
Our Response
b. Our response
to his delay is to be to Prep us more not to get relaxed and back slide for his
coming is for Sure to happen.
In winter the nights are long. We can sleep a bit more in the bed, fooling ourselves it is not morning yet. But the clock is ticking. Unless you are up on time, your chores and your work life is going to be stressful that day. We are not teenager in Christ to not know this.
In winter the nights are long. We can sleep a bit more in the bed, fooling ourselves it is not morning yet. But the clock is ticking. Unless you are up on time, your chores and your work life is going to be stressful that day. We are not teenager in Christ to not know this.
But at midnight there was a shout,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
8.
Rapture Call
i. Remember what Jesus says about his coming.(I come as a thief
in verse)
ii. Rapture call (Pre tribulations, Mid Tribulation and Post
Tribulation)
Then
all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
9.
ALL THE
VIRGINS arose and trimmed their lamps
a. This tells
that the secret coming of Jesus is made to known ALL Virgins i.e. ALL GODLY
people be it they are Prudent or not, they are prepared or not.
b. Trimming their
lamps – And all of them started to get prepared to meet the LORD.
The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give
us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But
the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too;
go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.
10.What happened
when 5 foolish virgins trimmed their lamp – There was no much sanctification
and anointing in them that they cant get to the presence of the GOD
a. But they saw the
Prudent Virgins being fine. So they “FOOLISHLY” asked for their oil.
b. Many times we
get content and satisfaction just by being part of a body that leads a
righteous and god fearing life like your family, your friend’s circle, your
church or even your Nation. That can only help you with your spiritual growth
and sustainability. But we are responsible for our soul, for our faith and for our
sanctification. Other’s anointing can be a blessing to you but cannot be
manifested in your life without your anointing. That’s why the Wise asked to
get the Foolish Virgins their own oil.
And while they were going away to make
the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him
to the wedding feast; and the door was shut
11.Those who went
for the wedding feast
a. Those who were
ready went in with him - Interesting Point to note: Count of the virgins is not
given. It simply says “those who were ready went in with him”. We do not know if
all of the 5 wise virgins went with the Bridegroom. It is subtle and left for
us to understand.
b. Wedding Feast –
Celebration is the essence of wedding. When we meet our LORD the bride groom of
our faith. There is much celebration. There is laughter. There is abundance.
There is bounty. There is rejoicing.
But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you,
I do not know you.’
12.answers I
do not know you –
a. LORD is not
giving a rude answer to those folks who were foolish. Read that sentence you
will know that the Compassionate and merciful lord is actually explaining to
them. “I am sorry. You must be mistaken. I do not know you”. He says You are
not related to me. Thanks to Pastor Michele whom I shared this post before
getting this online and she pointed out. Greek version of it say “I do not
know” in the meaning of “ I do not know you intimately”. Bride and Bride groom
know each other intimately. They know their inside out of their heart, their
thoughts and feelings. LORD brings that out here.
b. LORD is
looking for constant communication, a communion of love and worship, a holy
spirit directed fellowship. He would not remember others because he truly DO
NOT know them to invite them to his house. Ask yourself, will you invite a
stranger to your home?
Be on the alert then, for you do not
know the day nor the hour
13.Be on alert ,
for you do not know the day nor the hour – (granularity of his coming time)
a. His coming
could be any moment, a nick of second. We have to be prepared as if you are
awaiting your wedding.
This Parable fits so well for ladies as it brings
back the memories of that waiting time before the marriage. We spend the time
before our wedding grooming our self, watching our diet, changing our daily
schedule to talk and spend time with our sweet heart. We are in so much love
that we would anything for him. We would do anything to appease, please and be
in his good books.
Well, now for most us the Honey moon is over and
reality would have hit us hard. But Jesus tells here, if we can make that kind
of life for the LORD. Sanctifying our self, watch what we speak and we act,
constantly have him in our thoughts, set aside time for him and be his
Bride…The Bridegroom is ours! It is not all that hard, if we give our heart he
will make it his.
My prayer is that every soul who reads this post
give their heart to Christ and he will make them their bride and so he will take
them to the banquet awaiting in LORD’s mansion! Amen! Amen! Amen!
Monday, March 4, 2013
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