Easter or "Resurrection Sunday" - 40th day in the lent

Our Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead on the third day. 'for death could not keep Him in its grip.' Acts 2:24. Even though Jesus has foretold about His death and resurrection many times to the disciples, they have not remembered those words and hopeless when they found the missing of His body in the tomb. After the resurrection Jesus has been appearing to women and disciples in many occasions.The very risen day, He appeared to two of the disciples who were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. Let us see how Jesus has revealedHimself to them

Jesus Christ is walking with us in all our situation
        These two disciples were sad and they were talking together of all the things that had happened for Jesus.While they conversed and reasoned,Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.Luke 24:15,16

• We also experience loneliness during our troubles due to our spiritual blindness and grief. But our Lord is always with us.
• Men can leave us, but our Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us.He is walking with us in all our situations.
• In Matthew 14:24-27, '..the boat was now in the middle of the sea,tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea...Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.'when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
• 'I have set the Lord always before me;Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.' Psalm 16:8 

Jesus Christ is talking with us with his word and leads us

         And Jesus said to the two disciples , “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”And He said to them, “What things?”So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him....the women went to the tomb.When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive...'Then He said to them, “....Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. '

• This shows Jesus is not quite while He is walking with us.
• He also wants us to share our concerns and anxieties with Him.
• Meanwhile He is revealing the truth fromHis Word (Scriptures) in order to increase our faith and strengthen in Him. He corrects our mistakes and teaches us what to do.
• while reading His word, let us ask the Lord 'Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.' Then the Lord reveals us the depth of the word.
• 'You are my hiding place;You shall preserve me from trouble;You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.' Psalm 32:7
• “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”Luke 24:32
• 'Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.'Psalm 119:49,50

 Jesus Christ is dwelling within us in order to bless us
Then the disciples drew near to the village where they were going... they constrained Jesus, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and  the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and
broke it, and gave it to them.Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

• Whosoever is willing to accept Jesus as His savior, He stays with them.
• 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me'Rev 3:20
• Jesus looked up and said to Zacchaeus," Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully...Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;.."
• When Jesus comes into our hearts, our eyes are opened and we understand Him and His word right way.
• 'For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the  finest wheat.' Psalm 147:13,14

May our Lord help us to experience of walking with Him, talking with Him and dwelling with Him in our every aspects of life through out the rest of this year 2015. The promise the Lord giving us in Zephaniah 3:17 is so true if we abide in Him. Let this be our experience in the coming days.

Memory Verse
Zephaniah 3:17
'The Lord your God in your midst,The Mighty One, will save ;He will rejoice over you with gladness,He will quiet you with His love,He will rejoice over you with singing.'

Shared by Sis.Grace  Augustine, Palayamcottai, Tinnelveli

                                                                                                                                              4-4-2015

Good Friday - 39th day in the lent

Normally the words of a person said during the death time impact the surrounding people. Our Lord Jesus Christ , hanging on the Cross ,has spoken few words before His death. Those words show us His nature, His heart , His thirst,His accomplishment and His Glory. When Jesus had
received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,”(John 19:30).Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.(Luke 23:46)

"It is finished" 
Our Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished everything for our circumcision. The Circumcision plays the first part to become the children of God.

The first circumcision in the Bible:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” He immediately fell on the face and the Lord changed his name to Abraham and his wife to Sarah.Gen 17:10-14 ' This is my covenant, which you shall keep,between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
This shows us that the Lord pleased on those who obey His covenant of circumcision and living blamelessly.They are His own Children.
The privilege of circumcision:

In Abraham's life
         When Abraham saw three men, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and asked them humbly to come and washed their feet, and took rest under the tree until he brought the food. They accepted his hospitality. After they ate, the Lord informed him about
Sarah having a son next year at that time.Abraham went with them to set them on their way.The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” But Abraham still stood before the Lord.Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?Far be
that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” He started pleading to the Lord from fifty righteous until ten righteous not to destroy them and the Lord answered him, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."
After Abraham's obedience to the circumcision, He pleaded gently with the Lord for the sake of Lot.

In Moses' life
The Lord had chosen Moses as a leader to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. When Moses obeyed the Lord , He left  Midian and went back to Egypt with his wife and his children. But in Exod 4:24-26 'On the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death.Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” So he let him alone. It was then that she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.
This incident show us the Lord's expectation of the chosen leader to obey His covenant.

While  Moses was leading the Israel people, they sinned against God by making golden calf as god when he was talking to the Lord in mount Sinai.Moses returned to the Lord and said, “the
people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold.But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. " And Moses said to the Lord, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Thus Moses' covenant with God gave him privilege to talk for His presence to lead them.

In Peter's life
After Jesus' resurrection, Peter was doing Lord's ministry powerfully. One day Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance  and saw the heavens opened and something
like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. Acts 10:9-16
Here the Lord gave explanation for the vision to His disciple Peter  who said "no" to respond for the vision.

In Saul's life
Saul was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.He approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you,Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Here the Lord revealed to the covenant keeper as Jesus Christ for His question.

The Lord's expectation about circumcision:

• Romans 2:28,29 ' For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.'
• He(Jesus Christ) is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.as come to save the whole world. 1 John 2:2
• He expects from us to covenant with Him through the circumcision in our heart which means salvation.
• When we accept Jesus as our Lord with faith and ask forgiveness for our sins to Him, we will be His Children.Then the Holy Spirit will guide us into all the truth (John 16:13) and lead us to eternal life. As like in olden period,those who obeyed to have covenant of circumcision and blameless,they are pleased by God and chosen as his own people and blessed by God.
• 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.' 2Corin 5:17

Our duty:
We have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior through His grace and have become His Children.We have been celebrating the Good Friday since He has accomplished everything in order to have a covenant with Him. Let us share the same Gospel which is the power of God to those who have not made the covenant of circumcision with Jesus. This is the challenge the Lord is giving us today, on this Good Friday.

Memory Verse
Acts 20:24
'But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.' - St.Paul's  statement
                                                                                                                   Shared by Sis. Jaisy Rekha
                                                                                                                                            4-3-2015

Maundy Thursday (கட்டளை வியாழன்) - 38th day in the lent

Today we observe Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday , which commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Maundy is derived from the Latin word for "command," and refers to Jesus' commandment to the disciples to "Love one another as I have loved you." Let us see what the Lord has commanded us on this Maundy Thursday(கட்டளை வியாழன்).

• A Life as a role model:

 The Son of God commands the children of God to do, what He has followed in His life. John 13:14 "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. "
   1 Pet 1:15,16 'But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”'
   John 13:34  'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'
   Luke 6:36  'Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'
   Matth 5:48 'Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'
   Ephe 4:32 'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.'

• A Life of humblity:

John 13:4,5 '..He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him...'
Though Jesus was a leader and a teacher, He washed the feet of the disciples in order to teach them servant hood.
He foreknew the abandoning acts of His disciples yet He humbled before them. Phil 2:5-8 'Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.'
Mark 9:35 He said to them, “If anyone would be first, He must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus preached this verse and He showed it in His life.  

• A Life which counts others more significant:

Jesus through the act of washing the feet, taught us to count others more significant than us.
Phil 2:3 ' Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.'
Our Jesus Christ was great in everything ,but still He loved the prior known forsaking disciples ,more significance in His life.

• A Life of love including loving the enemies: 

Jesus has taught us in Matth 5:44,45 ' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.'
In the same way, He loved  betraying Judas Iscariot, denying Peter, abandoning disciples and washed their feet.
'......having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.' John 13:1 His love is same all the time.
Let us analyse whether our love is pure and real all the time. Are we showing the love to those who hate us?
 
Our Lord wants us to live according to His word rather than living in our own ways.He expects our life to be a role model for His glory that will impact others to know and follow Jesus Christ. In the Bible, When Lot called his son-in-laws to get out of Sodom for the Lord is about to destroy the city,they didn't accept Lot's word(Gen 19:14). But Ruth followed Naomi and said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God...'(Ruth 1:16)
Let us search our hearts to see, how is our life before others, is it showing God?
May our Father lead our life with humbleness, fill our hearts with love, help us to count others more significant and shine us to be a role model for His glory.

Memory Verse
Ruth 2:12
The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
                                                                                                         Shared by Sis. Hepzibah Ravindran
                                                                                                                                                4-2-2015

7th Word on the Cross by Jesus - 37th day in the lent

 "Father into your hands I commit My spirit”

Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, 

                                        "Father into your hands I commit My spirit”.

Seven is the number of completion. After creation, God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it , because in it He rested from all His work Gen 2:3. Jesus spoke the seventh word after finishing the work which was given to him “I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given me to do." John 17:4

Jesus spoke the last word before he entered his glory. He came to this world leaving his glory to die for us. Phil 4: 6-8  ‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!’

Jesus gave his life by himself. No one has the authority to take his life." John 10:17 - 18 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

The first and the last word of Jesus on the cross are prayers to his Father. In the first word Jesus is interceding for our sins and in the last word He commended himself, his spirit into his father’s hand.

Jesus set us an example to follow. 1 Peter 2:21 ‘To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.’

Like Jesus we ought to pray. We need to stand in the gap and intercede for others and also we need to commit our life, our spirit, soul, and body into his hand.

Exposition of the word "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”.
Lessons learnt:

1.Calling our Lord as Father :
      Jesus called the Father when he prayed.  Jesus taught us how to pray Math 6:9 this, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
We have the spirit of son ship to call the father " Abba father "  Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son ship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Because of Jesus we have the boldness to enter to the throne of Grace to find mercy and help Heb 4: 16 ‘Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’

When Jesus prayed, he prayed with fervent cries and tears Heb 5:7 ‘During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.’

We need to pray with fervent cries and tears like Jesus.

2.About the hands of our Almighty God:
        Jesus lived fully obeying God and now he dies fully trusting God. We need to commit our lives completely in to the hands of the Lord.

There is a protection in Lord's hand. The Lord's hand alone can protect us and deliver us from the satan's hand. Satan's hand is always against us to destroy. If we commit ourselves into Lord's hand, satan's hand can't touch us.

The Lord's hand is mighty and powerful 1 chronicles 29:12 ‘In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.’

David committed his life into the Lords hand Psalm 31:5 ‘Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.’ Psalm 31: 15 ‘My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.’
 
3. Committing ourselves completely to our Lord: 
          There is contentment after we commend ourselves. Jesus committed his spirit back to God teaches us, the eternal fate of our soul. If we commit our life to the Lord, He is able to preserve us till the end.
Paul says in II Timothy 1:12 “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”

Jesus obeyed God's will, finished his work, and committed his spirit before he entered his glory. Let us also follow Jesus’ foot step by committing our life and do the work which we are called.

Heb 4:9 -11 ‘There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;  for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.’


MEMORY VERSE
I தீமோத்தேயு 1:12.
அதினிமித்தம் நான் இந்தப் பாடுகளையும் அனுபவிக்கிறேன்; ஆயினும், நான் வெட்கப்படுகிறதில்லை; ஏனென்றால், நான் விசுவாசித்திருக்கிறவர் இன்னாரென்று அறிவேன், நான் அவரிடத்தில் ஒப்புக்கொடுத்ததை அவர் அந்நாள் வரைக்கும் காத்துக்கொள்ள வல்லவராயிருக்கிறாரென்று நிச்சயித்துமிருக்கிறேன்.

I Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Shared by: Sister Lizzie Ignatius

                                                                                                                                             4-1-2015

6th Word on the Cross by Jesus - 36th day in the lent

 “It is finished”

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

The Lord Jesus Christ knowing that all was finished said this Word, “It is finished.” What are the things He finished on earth? He fulfilled His Father’s will in everything.
I. Jesus finished fulfilling His Father’s will:

• Jesus fulfilled his father’s will in birth:

‘  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when; Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;…Then I said, “Behold I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”  Hebrews 10:4-7 God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son to this World.

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his youth:

When he was 12 years old he went with his parents to Jerusalem and stayed there and was sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions in the Temple. After 3 days they found him in the temple. When asked he said, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” Luke 2:49

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in the ministry:

 Jesus met a lady in Samaria near Jacob’s well and was talking and revealing himself to her. She accepted the Messiah and led the village to Jesus. During the time disciples were urging him to eat, Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” John 4:34 Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will throughout his life on earth.

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his prayer life:

Jesus had a very close relationship with his Father. He spent many hours in the early mornings, throughout the night in the mountains and deserts. He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed for his Father’s will. And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Luke 26:39

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his death:

‘He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.’ Hebrews 7:27 Jesus gave himself as an offering to save the whole world and thus fulfilled the will of his Father.
Let us search our hearts to see if we are fulfilling the will of our Lord and savior in our lives? How to find the will of God in our lives? a) Wait on the Lord: spend more time with Him in prayer and meditating His Word. Wait patiently to know His will. Do not run before Him, try to follow Him. ‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;’ Psalm 37:7 b) Renew your mind: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ Hebrews 12:2 His will is always good, acceptable and perfect. To know God’s will for us, our mind should be renewed.
II .Jesus revealed (showed) the Father in his life:

            Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? John 14:8 &9 Jesus showed his Father in his life on earth. The characteristic of God was seen in Jesus’ life when he was on earth. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love .He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.’ Psalms 103:8,9 Jesus revealed all these qualities and set an example for us to follow. ‘Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.’ I John2:6 We must have a close relationship with our Lord. Our relationship must be right, living and continuous one. Can the world see JESUS in us?
III Jesus glorified the Father in his life:

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4 Jesus glorified the father in everything and finished the work that He gave him to do. The paralyzed man who was healed in Luke 5, rose up before all the people, picked up his bed and went home glorifying God. Those who saw this miracle were amazed and glorified God. When the people saw the miracle of Jesus raising the dead man, Bible says that fear seized them all and they glorified God. We have to glorify the Lord in everything and by seeing our life others have to glorify God. ‘I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 4:10 We have to be filled with the power of His resurrection. The Holy Spirit will lead us. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’ Psalm 32:8

‘…for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.’ I Corinthians 6:20 Jesus Christ has bought us with His own blood and so we have to glorify God. ‘Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.’ Philippians 2:14-16 we have to shine for Jesus. When we do God’s will, show Jesus in our lives and glorify Him in whatever we do, we can say along with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Tim 4:7

MEMORY VERSE:
மத்தேயு 5:16.
இவ்விதமாய், மனுஷர் உங்கள் நற்கிரியைகளைக்கண்டு, பரலோகத்திலிருக்கிற உங்கள் பிதாவை மகிமைப்படுத்தும்படி, உங்கள் வெளிச்சம் அவர்கள் முன்பாகப் பிரகாசிக்கக்கடவது.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

 Shared by: Sister Sheila Bose

                                                                                                                                            3-31-2015

5th Word on the Cross by Jesus - 35th day in the lent

”தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்”

யோவான் 19:28 – அதன்பின்பு, எல்லாம் முடிந்தது என்று இயேசு அறிந்து, வேதவாக்கியம்  நிறைவேறத்தக்கதாக, ”தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்” என்றார்.

          நமக்காக ஐங்காயம் ஏற்ற இயேசு, தமது சிலுவைபாடுகளின் மத்தியில்  ஐந்தாவது வார்த்தையாக ”தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்” என்றார். ''தாகம்'' என்ற வார்த்தை நா வறண்ட தாகத்தை குறிக்கலாம். மற்றும் ஏக்கம், தவிப்பு, எதிர்பார்ப்பு, ஆர்வம், குறிக்கோளை  போன்ற பல வார்த்தைகளில் சொல்லலாம். மேலும் தாகம் என்றால் ஒருவன் தன்னிடம் இல்லாத ஒன்றை அடைவதற்காக அவனுடைய மனம் மற்றும் சரீர கொள்ளுகிற ஏக்கத்தை குறிக்கும். இங்கு நம் இயேசு எதற்காக தாகங்கொண்டார்? என்று சிந்திப்போம்.

  இயேசு தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்று சொன்னதை (1) உலகத்தின் பார்வை மற்றும் (2) ஆவிக்குரிய பார்வை  என்று இரண்டு விதமான கோணங்களில் பார்க்கலாம்.

உலகப் பார்வை –  இயேசு இராபோஜனத்திற்கு பிறகு தொடர்ந்து சிலுவை வரை அவர் எதையும் குடித்ததாக வேதத்தில் காணப்படவில்லை. பொதுவாக அதிகமாக இரத்தம் இழக்கும் போது தாகம் உண்டாகும். அப்படிப்பட்ட தாகத்தை தான் அவர் தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்று சொல்லுகிறாரோ என்று பார்த்தால், இல்லை. ஏனெனில், தண்ணீரை திராட்ச ரசமாக மாற்றியவரும், ஜீவதண்ணீரின் ஊற்றாக கன்மலையைப் பிளந்து அநேகருடைய தாகத்தை தீர்த்தவராகிய இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்று சொன்னது நா வறண்டு போன தாகத்தினால் அல்ல

ஆவிக்குரிய பார்வை -  "என்னிடத்தில் விசுவாசமாயிருக்கிறவன், ஒருக்காலும் தாகமடையான்" என்று சொன்னவரும், ஒருவன் தாகமாயிருந்தால் என்னிடத்தில் வந்து பானம் பண்ணக்கடவன். என்னிடத்தில் விசுவாசிக்கிறவன் உள்ளத்திலிருந்து ஜீவதண்ணீருள்ள நதிகள் ஓடும் என்றவரும், ”நான் கொடுக்கும் நித்திய ஜீவகாலமாய் ஊறுகிற நீரூற்றான ஜீவதண்ணீரை குடிக்கிறவனுக்கோ ஒருக்காலும் தாகமுண்டாகாது” என்று சொன்னவர் தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்று சொன்னது தன்னுடைய ஆவிக்குரிய ஆத்தும தாகங்களை குறித்த பாரம்.

இயேசுவிடம் காணப்பட்ட உண்மையான தாகங்கள் சிலவற்றை பார்ப்போம்.

1. இயேசு இந்த உலகம் பிசாசின் படியிலிருந்து மீட்படைய வேண்டுமென்ற மீட்பின் தாகங் கொண்டார் 
2. பிதாவின் நீதியையும், சித்தத்தையும் பூமியில் நிறைவேற்றும்படி நீதியின் தாகங்கொண்டார்
3. மனுக்குலத்தை பாவத்தினின்று இரட்சிக்கும்படி இரட்சிப்பின் தாகங் கொண்டார்.
4. மனுக்குலம் இரட்சிப்படைவதற்கு மீட்பின் விலையாக தம் கடைசி சொட்டு இரத்தத்தையும் சிந்தும்படி பாடுகளின் மேல் தாகங் கொண்டார்
5. பரலோக மகிமையில் தம் பிள்ளைகள் பங்கடைய வேண்டுமென்ற மகிமையின் தாகங் கொண்டார்.
6.  தேசம் பரிசுத்தமடைய வேண்டுமேயென்ற பரிசுத்தத்தின் தாகங் கொண்டார்
7. அழிந்துபோகிற ஆத்துமாக்கள் அழியாமையை தரித்துகொள்ள வேண்டுமென்ற ஜீவ தாகங் கொண்டார். 
8. தேவனுடைய நீதி தன்னிடமிருந்து புறப்பட்டு அநேகருடைய நன்மையாக மாற வேண்டுமென்று நன்மையின் தாகங் கொண்டார்.
9. தேசத்து ஜனங்கள் தம்மிடத்திலும் பிதாவிடத்திலும் அன்போடிருந்து, பிறரிடத்திலும் அன்பாயிருக்க வேண்டுமென்று அன்பின் தாகங் கொண்டார்

சிலுவையின் மத்தியில் பேசிய இந்த வசனத்தை இரண்டுவிதமாக பிரித்து தியானிக்கலாம்.          

• அதன்பின்பு, எல்லாம் முடிந்தது என்று இயேசு அறிந்து, 
• வேதவாக்கியம் நிறைவேறத்தக்கதாக, ”தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்”  என்றார்.

முதலாவது “அதன் பின்பு எல்லாம் முடிந்தது என்று இயேசு அறிந்து“

எதன் பின்பு?  இயேசு சிலுவை சுமந்த அந்நேரத்திலும், பரலோகத்தின் படிக்கட்டுகளாக இருக்கிறதும், ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் கண்டிப்பாக கடைபிடிக்க வேண்டியதுமான சில சத்தியங்களை செயல் விளக்கமாக சொல்லிக் கொடுத்தபின்பு “எல்லாம் முடிந்தது என்று அறிந்து தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்” என்று சொல்லுகிறார்.
பிதாவே இவர்களுக்கு மன்னியும் தாங்கள் செய்கிறது இன்னதென்று அறியாதிருக்கிறார்களே என்று  சொல்லியதின் மூலம், மன்னிப்பின் அவசியத்தை சொல்லிக் கொடுக்கிறார்
இன்றைக்கு நீ என்னுடனே கூட பரதீசியிலிருப்பாய் என்று மனந்திரும்பிய கள்ளனைப் பார்த்து சொன்னதினிமித்தம், மனந்திரும்புதலின் அவசியத்தை சொல்லிக் கொடுக்கிறார்
ஸ்திரீயே இதோ உன் மகன் என்றும், யோவானிடம் அதோ உன் தாய் என்றும் சொன்னதினிமித்தம், தாய் தந்தையரை கனப்படுத்தி பாதுகாப்பதின் அவசியத்தை சொல்லிக் கொடுக்கிறார்.
என் தேவனே என் தேவனே ஏன் என்னை கைவிட்டீர் என்று கதறியதின் முலம், பிதாவின் பார்வை ஒரு நிமிடம் கூட நம்மை விட்டு மறைக்கப்படாமலிருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதன் அவசியத்தை சொல்லிக் கொடுக்கிறார்.  இந்த நான்கையும் சொல்லிக்கொடுத்த பிறகு,

(2) வேதவாக்கியம் நிறைவேறத்தக்கதாக ”தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன்” என்கிறார்.
    உலகம் தோன்றியது முதல் உண்டான பிதாவின் உக்கிரத்தின் பாத்திரத்தை வாங்கி தம்மேல் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டு பிதாவின் சித்தத்தை நிறைவேற்றும்படி தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்று சொல்லுகிறார்.
பிதாவாகிய தேவனுடைய உக்கிரத்தின் பாத்திரத்தை அவர் கையில் வாங்கிக் குடித்தவர்களாக, தத்தளிக்கச் செய்யும் பாத்திரத்தின் வண்டல்களை உறிஞ்சிக் குடித்தவர்களாக, கர்த்தருடைய உக்கிரத்தினாலும் தேவனுடைய கண்டிதத்தினாலும் நிறைந்தவர்களாக, சிறைபட்டிருக்கிற நம்மை, இரட்சித்து, விடுவித்து பாழ்கடிப்பும் சங்காரமும் பஞ்சமும் பட்டயமும் வரும்போது ஆறுதல் செய்யும் பொருட்டு, கர்த்தராகிய ஆண்டவரும், தம்முடைய ஜனத்துக்காக வழக்காடப் போகிறவருமாகிய நம்முடைய இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, தத்தளிப்பின் பாத்திரத்தை நம் கையிலிருந்து நீக்கிப் போட்டு, தேவனுடைய உக்கிரத்தின் பாத்திரத்தின் வண்டல்களை நாம் குடியாதபடிக்கும் அதை தாம் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டு நம்மை விடுவித்திருக்கிறார்.
இதை பற்றி தான் மத்-26-39 - "என் பிதாவே, இந்த பாத்திரம் நான் பானம் பண்ணினாலொழிய, இது என்னை
விட்டு நீங்க கூடாதாகில் உம்முடைய சித்தத்தின்படி ஆகக்கடவது" என்றார்.

நாம் தேவனால் இவ்விதம் இரட்சிக்கப்பட்டவர்களாக இருக்கிறோம் என்பதை விசுவாசித்தால், இயேசுவின் சிலுவை தாகங்களை தீர்க்கிறவர்களாக இருக்கிறோம்.  அவையாவன.

1. இயேசு பிதாவோடு உறவாடி ஜெபிப்பதின் மேல் தாகமாயிருந்தார். இயேசு நேரத்தை ஒதுக்கி, நம்மை தனிமைபடுத்திக் கொண்டு பிதாவிடம் உறவாடிக் கொண்டிருந்ததால் தான் தம்முடைய பணியை உத்தமமாக செவ்வனே நிறைவேற்ற முடிந்தது. தம்முடைய பிள்ளைகளும் அப்படியிருக்கும்படி தாகமாயிருக்கிறார்.
2.  இயேசு நீதியை மார்கவசமாக அணிந்து, நீதியின் மேல் தாகமாயிருந்தார். நாமும் நீதியை செய்து இயேசுவின் தாகத்தை தீர்த்து வைப்போம்.
3. இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, பிதாவின் சித்தத்தை நிறைவேற்றுவதில் அதிக தாகமுள்ளவராக இருந்தார். நாமும் பிதாவின் சித்தத்தை நிறைவேற்றி இயேசுவின் தாகத்தை தீர்த்து வைப்போம்.
4. தம்முடையவர்கள் பிதாவோடும் தம்மோடும் நிலைத்திருக்க வேண்டுமென்பதில் தாகமாயிருந்தார். நாமும் பிதாவுக்குள் நிலைத்திருந்து, நற்கிரியைகளை நடப்பித்து, நற்கனிகளை கொடுத்து இயேசுவின் தாகத்தை தீர்த்து வைப்போம்.
5. இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, சமாதானத்தின் மேல் தாகமாயிருந்தார். நம்மால் கூடுமானவரை எல்லோரிடமும் சமாதானத்துடன் இருந்து இயேசுவின் தாகத்தை தீர்க்கிறவர்களாக இருப்போம். 
6. இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, தம்முடையவர்களை இரட்சித்து மீட்டெடுக்கும்படி தாகமாயிருந்தார். முடிவுபரியந்தம் கிறிஸ்துவுக்குள் நிலைத்திருந்து, இரட்சிக்கப் படுகிறவர்களாகவும், அநேகரை இரட்சிப்பிற்குள் நடத்துகிறவர்களாகவும் கிறிஸ்துவின் இரட்சிப்பின் தாகத்தை தீர்க்கிறவர்களாக இருப்போம்.
7. இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, தம்மை ஏற்றுக்கொள்பவர்களுக்கு நித்தியஜீவனை கொடுக்கும்படி தாகமாயிருந்தார்.
8. இயேசுகிறிஸ்து தம்முடையவர்களை தீமையினின்று காக்கும்படி தாகமாயிருந்தார். எனவே ஜீவனை விரும்பி, பொல்லாப்புக்கு நாவையும், கபடத்துக்கு உதடுகளையும் விலக்கிக்காத்து, நன்மை செய்து, சமாதானத்தை தேடி, அதை பின்தொடர்ந்து இயேசுவின் தாகத்தை தீர்க்கிறவர்களாக இருக்கவேண்டும்
9. ஒருவராகிலும் கைவிடப்படாமல் தமது வருகையில் சேர்க்கப்பட வேண்டுமென்று தாகமாயிருந்தார்

      இப்படி இயேசுவின் தாகத்திற்கு அளவேயில்லை. தகப்பன் தன்னுடைய நிறைவேறாத ஆசைகளை, பிள்ளைகளின் மூலம் நிறைவேற்றிக் கொள்ளுவதுபோல, இயேசுகிறிஸ்து, எந்த காரணத்திற்காக இந்த பூமிக்கு வந்தாரோ, எவைகளை முழுமையாக நிறைவேற்ற முடியாமல் மனிதர்களால் தடுக்கப்பட்டாரோ, அந்த தம்முடைய தாகங்களை, அவருடைய பிள்ளைகளாகிய நம்மைக் கொண்டு நிறைவேற்ற வேண்டுமென்று எதிர்பார்க்கிறார். நம்மை தேடி வந்து இரட்சித்து, தன் ஜீவனையே நமக்காக தத்தம் தந்தவரின் தாகங்களை நாம் தீர்க்கும்படியாக நம்மை அவரிடத்தில் ஒப்புக்கொடுப்போமா?
   
தாகமாயிருக்கிறேன் என்ற இயேசுவின் தாகம், அழிந்து போய் கொண்டிருக்கும் ஆத்துமாக்கள் அவரண்டை வந்து சேரும்வரை, அவர் தாகம் தீராது. அவருடைய தாகத்தை தீர்ப்பது நம் ஒவ்வொருவருடைய கடமை அல்லவா? இன்று இந்த ஐந்தாவது வார்த்தையை தியானிக்கும் நாமும், இயேசுவைப்போல தேசத்தின் மீட்புக்காக தாகமுற்று, இயேசுவின் மகிமையில் பங்காளிகளாவோம். ஆமென்.

மனப்பாட வசனம் - யோ-4-14 - ”நான் கொடுக்கும் தண்ணீரைக் குடிக்கிறவனுக்கோ ஒருக்காலும் தாகமுண்டாகாது. நான் அவனுக்குக் கொடுக்கும் தண்ணீர் அவனுக்குள்ளே  நித்திய ஜீவகாலமாய் ஊறுகிற நீரூற்றாயிருக்கும் என்றார்”.

                                                                                            Shared by Sis.Shanthi Ashok, Pondicherry.
                                                                                                                                               3-30-2015

4th Word on the Cross by Jesus - 34th day in the lent

 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46

Jesus hung on the cross for about 6 hours. He bore the sufferings, afflictions and shame very patiently. 'He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth;He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,so he did not open his mouth.'Isa 53:7 Jacob blessed his children in his last days. Moses blessed and gave instructions to the tribes of Israelites during the end of his days. Jesus' words with His agony on the cross teches us so much.

The earth was covered with darkness for the last three hours of his death.The sins of the whole world fell upon Him.That made Him not to feel His Father's closeness at that moment. Usually He says 'Father is in me, and I in the Father'. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46 This was the only time Jesus called the 'Father' as 'My God'.

The Power of sin:

• 1. It brings a sense of separation from the Lord:

When the disciples of Jesus left Him and ran away during the crucifixion, He didn't feel lonely. When Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, He didn't panic.When Jesus was denied by Peter, He was not hurt much.
But when Jesus was not able to feel the embrace of His Father due to our sin, He felt the separation from the Father.
'But your iniquities have separated you from your God;your sins have hidden his face from you,so that he will not hear.' Isa 59:2
Many times we miss His presence in our life when weget involved in the things that displeases the Lord.

• 2. It brings the condemnation and a feeling of guilt:

    The younger son in the parable telling the father, 'I am no longer worthy to be called your son'         because of his mistakes (Luke 15:19) . Similarly because of the heaviness of our sins, Jesus was     calling His Father as 'MY God'.

• 3. It makes us to lose the Glory of God from us:

Adam and Eve lost the glory and felt ashamed when they disobeyed God.
When the God commit any sins, they are not bringing glory to God through their life due to their disobedience.
Are we honoring and giving glory to our Father in our daily life?

• 4. It brings death:

' For the wages of sin is death' Romans 6:23
'The one who sins, is the one who will die.The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor the parent share the guilt of the child.The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.'     Ezekiel 18:20
   

• 5. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8

• 6. It makes us blind

    'The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of     the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.' 2 Cor 4:4

• 7. It finally deceives us  to loosethe Eternal Kingdom

Life through our Faith in Jesus Christ:

• God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corin 5:21
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us Gal 3:13
• Let us always remember that we are not forsaken by God. When we confess our sins, He forgives our sins with compassion.'Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'Isaiah 1:18 
• 'But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”' 1 Peter 1:15,16
• Let us stay near the throne of His grace at all times. 'He will never leave you nor forsake you'  Deuter 31:6
• '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.' Isai 53:12 
• '...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Romans 6:23

Memory verse
Matthew 27:46
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

                                                                                                                      Shared by Sis . Selvamani
                                                                                                                                            3-28-2015

3rd Word on the Cross By Jesus - 33rd day in Lent

"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son."Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."

யோவான்19:26,27அப்பொழுது இயேசு தம்முடைய தாயையும் அருகே நின்ற தமக்கு அன்பாயிருந்த சீஷனையும் கண்டு, தம்முடைய தாயை நோக்கி: ஸ்திரீயே, அதோ, உன் மகன் என்றார்.பின்பு அந்தச் சீஷனை நோக்கி: அதோ, உன் தாய் என்றார். அந்நேரமுதல் அந்தச் சீஷன் அவளைத் தன்னிடமாய் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டான்.

ஆண்டவராகிய இயேசு கல்வாரி சிலுவையில் பேசிய மூன்றாவது வார்த்தை
         தாகம் தாகமென்றீர் எனக்காய் ஏங்கி நின்றீர் என்ற பாடல் படி.ஆண்டவரின் கண்கள் அந்தப் பாடுகளின் மத்தியில் அந்தகேடு அடைந்து;உடலெல்லாம் காயங்கள்;சிரசிலே முள்முடியின்  வேதனை மூன்று ஆணிகளில் தொங்கியவர் தேடுகின்றார்.
        கண்டதோ அன்னை மரியாளின் பரிதவித்த நிலையில் சிலுவையண்டை, அருகே தன்மேல் மார்பில் சாய்ந்து உறவாடிய யோவனைத் தவிர தன் சீடர்கள் ஒருவரும் இல்லை.உடனே  யோவான்19:26,27 லுள்ள படி கூறினார்.

• ஆண்டவர் பேதிருவுக்கு கூறியவை:

 மற்கு 14:27-31
 லூக்கா22:31,32,38

• ஆண்டவராகிய இயேசு தன் மரணத்தைப்பற்றி 3முறைகள் சீடருக்குக் கூறித்தேற்றுதல்

மத்தேயு20:17- 19,மாற்கு10:32,34,லூக்கா18:32- 34

• சீடர்களைப் பற்றி கூறுதல்:

           மற்கு 14:27,யோவான்16:32,ரோமர் 1:22

• மரணத்துக்குப் பின் அவர்கள் தேற்றப்படல்:

            யோவான்14:16 - 31

• வாக்குத் தத்தமுள்ள முதலாங் கர்பனை நிறைவேறுதல்:

            எபேசியர்6:3 உன் தகப்பனையும் உன் தாயையும் கனம்பண்ணுவாயாக என்பதே வாக்குத்தத்தமுள்ள முதலாங் கற்பனையாயிருக்கிறது.
                   நம் வாழ்வில் நம் பேற்றோரை நடத்துதல் ,பிதாவின் சித்தத்தையே நிறைவேற்ற வந்தேன் என்ற ஆண்டவர்
                   இயேசு மரணப்பரியந்தம்     தன்னை தழ்த்தினார்.

• பெத்தானியாவிலுள்ள ஒரு வீட்டிற்கு உணவு அருந்த இயேசு போயிருந்தார்.லாசரு,மார்த்தாள்,மரியாள்.

               லூக்கா10: 39 - 42,யோவான்14:23
நம்மை நாமே சோதனை செய்வோம்
               நாம் மேற்கண்ட மூவரில் யாரைப் போலிருக்கிறோம் 
  தேவையானது ஒன்றே, மரியாள் தன்னை விட்டெடுபடாத நல்ல பங்கைத் தெரிந்துகொண்டாள் என்றார். லூக்கா10:42

2 தீமோத்தேயு3:12
              அன்றியும் கிறிஸ்து இயேசுவுக்குள் தேவபக்தியாய் நடக்க மனதாயிருக்கிற யாவரும் துன்பப்படுவார்கள்.
நமக்கு ஆவியிலும்,ஆத்துமாவிலும் ,சரீரத்திலும் பிசாசானவன் போராட்டத்தையும்,பலவீனத்தையும் கொண்டு வருவான்.விசுவாசத்தை கெடுப்பதுவே அவன் வேலை.ஆனால் இந்த உலகிலிருப்பவனை விட  எங்களுக்குளிருக்கும் தேவன் பெரியவர் என்று கர்த்தரை மகிமைப் படுத்துவோம்.விசுவாசத்தில் நிலைத்திருப்போம்

எபிரெயர்2:18:
         அவர்தாமே சோதிக்கப்பட்டுப் பாடுபட்டதினாலே, அவர் சோதிக்கப்படுகிறவர்களுக்கு உதவிசெய்ய வல்லவராயிருக்கிறார்.

1பேதுரு5:10
       கிறிஸ்து இயேசுவுக்குள் நம்மைத் தமது நித்திய மகிமைக்கு அழைத்தவராயிருக்கிற சகல கிருபையும் பொருந்திய தேவன்தாமே கொஞ்சக்காலம் பாடநுபவிக்கிற உங்களைச் சீர்ப்படுத்தி, ஸ்திரப்படுத்தி, பலப்படுத்தி, நிலைநிறுத்துவாராக;

மனப்பாட வசனம்:
யோவான்14:23
ஒருவன் என்னில் அன்பாயிருந்தால், அவன் என் வசனத்தைக் கைக்கொள்ளுவான், அவனில் என் பிதா அன்பாயிருப்பார்; நாங்கள் அவனிடத்தில் வந்து அவனோடே வாசம்பண்ணுவோம்.

Shared by Sis.Annal

3-27-2015 

2nd Word on the Cross by Jesus - 32nd day in Lent

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise"

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus was crucified between the two criminals on the cross at Golgotha. He was to be worshiped by the Angels saying ' HOLY, HOLY, HOLY..' in heaven. 'but He was numbered with the transgressors..' Luke 22:37
Jesus humbled and gave himself as a living sacrifice and sin offering because of His love for us.

A criminal who insulted Jesus:

• The criminals who hung along with Jesus,watched all the events.
• They saw the rulers sneering at Jesus by saying, “He saved others; let Him save himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One."
• They saw the soldiers mocking at Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above Him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.
• One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:39
• Even though this criminal heard Jesus as Savior, Messiah,King and good person , he didn't feel for Jesus hanging along with them who rebelled.
• He looked for Jesus only to save them from the punishment of death. His words were hard without the real love and humility.
• Let us analyse ourselves with this criminal. Why do we seek Jesus- only for world things ?
• Are we realizing His true love  for us?  Do we have our attitude with humility? Do we realize and confess our sins?
• Are we really interested to know Him and share His burden?

A criminal who received grace because of his belief:

• This criminal also watched all the events hanging on the cross along with Jesus.
• He rebuked the other criminal who insulted Jesus saying “Don’t you fear God,”  “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
• Even though this criminal also suffered with pain, he was feeling for Jesus who was punished for being good.
• Also this criminal  realized his own mistakes and accepted the earthly punishment.
• Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Luke 23:42
• He believed Jesus as God.
• He heard when Jesus was asking the Father to forgive those who hurt Him.So he asked Jesus humbly to remember him in the Eternal Kingdom instead of saving from the punishment and death.
• Are we talking about God's glory? Are we honoring Jesus before someone who misunderstood Him? 'Whoever acknowledges me before others,I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.' Matth10:32
• Then Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 This criminal received grace to enter paradise with Jesus.

The Lord's acceptance of anybody:

• The parable of the last son - Even though the younger son did mistakes.When he realized and returned to his father, his father kissed and accepted him with compassion.
• David did bad against his soldier Uriah in order to take his wife Bathsheba. This was a sin against the Lord. But when he realized his mistake through Nathan, he cried and pleaded God to forgive him.Later God testified David as 'a man after my own heart'.
• In the life of samson , he didn't obey God's word. The philistines shaved his hair and gouge out his eyes. But when he prayed, he was strengthened and  killed many more when he died than while he lived.
• God forgives any mistakes if we realize and confess it to him. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Truths to believe from this Word of Jesus:

1. God lives for ever and ever.
2. There is a punishment for the unconfessed mistakes.
3. Our Holy God Jesus Christ became a sin offering for our sins and curses.He overcame death.
4. After death, there is an eternal life with Jesus in heaven.
5. Those whose sins are forgiven by Jesus will enter into His kingdom.
6. The kingdom of God is true. Jesus Christ is the King.
7. When we seek His Kingdom as a treasure, we are receiving it in our life.Let us seek His           kingdom first.(Matt 6:33)
8. Whoever confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John1:9) and lead us to His eternal Kingdom.

Jesus would have been very glad if both the criminals accepted Him.Even now, we see  two groups of people  in this world,some are accepting Jesus as their savior and some are insulting Him without realizing His love for them. Let us pray earnestly for the unrepented lives.Jesus has sent usthe Holy spirit to be within us.' But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He talks with us through His living Word, the Bible.
Let us pray, meditate His word and humbly do His will with the help of the Holy Sprirt.

Memory verse
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

Shared by Sis.Mariammal Rathinaraj
3-26-2015

1st Word on the Cross by Jesus - 31st day in the lent

      "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Luke 23:34
                Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

This is the first verse spoken by our Lord Jesus on the cross. We always give more importance to the last words or thoughts shared by the persons who are at the death bed. We would like to fulfill their last desires in our lives. Our Lord Jesus’ first word is a prayer to His Father. He is pleading to the Father to forgive those who hurt, spat, crushed, and nailed him on the cross. What a LOVE! Jesus had set an example for us follow. Whatever he preached, he practiced. His love never changed even after going through all this agony. He loved and He still loves the whole world. He came down to the earth taking the form of a man (servant, slave) and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil2:6-8 Thus was his love shown.

• Praying for forgiveness:

Even when he was on earth, Jesus forgave the sins of the people and then healed them. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. Luke 5:20, 24-25 The Lord loves the sinners but hates sin. By shedding His blood on the cross, he has redeemed us. His blood cleanses us, from all unrighteousness. He has set an example for us to follow. Jesus said, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. “ Matthew 5:44 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35 Stephen when he was stoned he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60 ‘Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”Romans 12:14, 17-19 ‘Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.’ Proverbs 24:17 “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him, Job considers this as sin. Job 31:29
How are we in our daily life? Are we forgiving others? We have to forgive and forget about. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.’ Romans 12:18 Jesus forgives our sins and he remembers it no more.

• Praying for those who do not know Him:

Jesus is pleading for those people as they do not know him and do not realize his love. There are people who do not know Him live in our family and around us, are we praying for them? Jesus prayed for His enemies? ‘… but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.’ Romans 5:8-10
We can see people all around us looking for love. There is no love in the family, in the society… Jesus gives us love, joy, peace and protection. Do we share this love with those around us? The Lord Jesus’ last command is, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew28:19 The Lord has a purpose to keep us in different places. Let us fulfill the purpose with the help of the Holy Spirit. Pray much for the lost souls.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, search our hearts. Give us a heart filled with your love so that we can forgive and forget those who are not nice with us. Help us to pray for those who do not know You and show Your love to them in Your name we pray, AMEN.

MEMORY VERSE:
ரோமர் 5:8
நாம் பாவிகளாயிருக்கையில் கிறிஸ்து நமக்காக மரித்ததினாலே, தேவன் நம்மேல் வைத்த தமது அன்பை விளங்கப்பண்ணுகிறார்.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 Shared by Sis.Sussanal Nelson, Arizona

3-25-2015

INNER HEALING & Forgiveness - 30th day in the lent

Key Verse: Isaiah 53:4, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."

STEP 1: God wants to take your wounds, pain, hurts, and sorrow!
I want you to know that God desires to heal our wounds and take our pain and hurt from us. You know how you can love somebody so much, that you wish you could take their pain or suffering from them? That's how Jesus feels about us... He loves us so much that He paid the price for our emotional healing in the work on the cross!
Isaiah 53:4, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
He carried our sorrows in His work on the cross. The NT Greek tells us that the word sorrows here literally refer to anguish, affliction, grief, pain, and sorrow. Jesus took these things and paid the price with His own blood for us! You need to know that God desires to heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds. This is what the Bible tells us:
Psalms 147:3, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
It is vital that we take advantage of what Christ has done for us, and learn to cast our cares upon the Lord. Not some of them, but ALL of them; knowing that He cares for you and wants to take those things from you.
1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

STEP 2: Release those hurt, painful and fearful emotions into the hands of Jesus
Hanging onto fear, hurt and pain can actually block the healing power of the Holy Spirit in your soul. It is vital to open up and allow the Lord to heal your wounds.
 Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."
Jesus paid the price for the healing of our souls and to set us free from the bondage that we have come under from the bruises that we've received. It is important to God that we receive this inner healing... His Son paid a costly price for it!
 Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Allow your painful emotions to be released as you give them to the Lord. It's okay to cry, sob and let the damaged emotions come out as they are given to the hands of the Lord. Holding on to the pain and hurt will only prevent you from be healed.
James 5:16, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

STEP 3: Realize the love of God for you; this will help you open up and receive inner healing
Knowing the true nature of our heavenly Father will help us to trust Him and open ourselves up so that we can receive the healing that only the Holy Spirit can provide for us.
Romans 8:32, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
You are loved by God, not because of what you've done, but because of who you are.
Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 17:23, "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
It is absolutely essential that we learn of and realize the love that our heavenly Father has for us. Without knowing the love of God for us, we cannot be filled with His fullness:
Ephesians 3:17-19, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."

STEP 4: Realize God's will for your mind and receive it!
2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Abuse, trauma, hurt and pain are all works of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and restore His children to the fullness to which He created them to fulfill. When Jesus was here on earth, He went about doing the will of the Father in heaven, and this included healing all who were oppressed of the devil:
Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
Psalms 23:3, "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Extend forgiveness towards those who have hurt you
Unforgiveness will hinder or block the healing power of the Holy Spirit. It will bind you up and separate you from God's forgiving and healing power. It is vital to release those feelings that you have against others, so that the Holy Spirit's healing and forgiving power can heal and restore your soul.
Unforgiveness is a deadly poison that separates us from God's forgiveness in our own lives and gives us over to tormenting spirits. It is hard to receive healing when one is in such a position. Consider these passages in scripture concerning the deadliness of unforgiveness and bitterness in our lives:
Mark 11:25-26, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Unforgiveness will put us into the hands of tormenting spirits. This is the last thing we need when we're seeking healing for our souls! As if that isn't enough, unforgiveness also puts a person in spiritual darkness and separation from God, and defiles us spiritually:
Stop feeding on lies of insecurity, guilt, and pain (Jesus took your pain!)

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Shared by Sis. Monisha Ranjith

3-24-2015

Repentance -29th day in the lent

In this Lenten Season the Lord wants us to turn to Him, in true repentance. What is true repentance? 
Return to the Lord
 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12, 13
We have to feel sorry for the wrong doing and turn to our Lord, who loves us so much and gave Himself for us.
Jonah:
The Word of the Lord came to Jonah to go to Nineveh but he rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He boarded a ship and there was a great wind upon the sea. They picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging. The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. He was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. He prayed to the Lord from the belly of the fish. The Lord made the fish to vomit Jonah out upon the dry land. The word o the Lord came to Jonah the second time to go back to Nineveh. He was asked to tell them to them to turn to the Lord as Nineveh shall be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh believed in God. They fasted, put on sack cloth, from the greatest to the least. The king too joined the fast, wearing the sack cloth and sat in ashes. They all humbled themselves and called unto the Lord. The Bible says in Jonah 3:10, ‘God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.’ WHY? God is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Prodigal son:
A father had two sons. The younger one wanted his share of property, left home and went to a far country. He squandered his property in reckless living. After he spent everything he was hired by a man who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He did not get even the pods that the pigs ate. BUT when he came to himself he returned to his father and confessed his wrong doings. He really felt sorry for what he did. The father who was eagerly waiting for his return accepted him and made a great feast.
Jesus Christ who shed His blood on Calvary is longingly waiting for our return. His blood washes us clean.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

King David:
When King David sinned with Bathsheba, the Lord sent the Prophet Nathan to him. He felt sorry for his sin and turned to the Lord. In Psalm 51, he is crying to the Lord to wash, to cleanse and to purge him. He is asking the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation.
Peter:
One of the closest disciples of Jesus, denied Him three times even after Jesus warned him. The Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the sayings of the Lord Jesus and he went out and wept bitterly. Thus Peter turned to his Master again. Luke 22:61, 62
When the Lord speaks to us, we have to feel sorry for our sins and short comings. We have to confess and turn back to our Lord. ‘Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.’  Proverbs 28:13  ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ I John 1:9 Jesus is waiting for us. Let us turn to Him who loves us so much. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

MEMORY VERSE:
‘Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.’ Proverbs 28:13
நீதிமொழிகள் 28:13
‘தன் பாவங்களை மறைக்கிறவன் வாழ்வடையமாட்டான்; அவைகளை அறிக்கை செய்து விட்டுவிடுகிறவனோ இரக்கம் பெறுவான்.’

Shared by Sis. Anitha Arun

3-23-2015

Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane - 28th day in the lent

We are learning few lessons from Jesus’ prayer in the Garden. He took all the 11 with him to the garden, but to the inner circle of his prayer life.Jesus took Peter, James and John. ,No prayer no success. No pain, no gain. We have to follow in His steps to be like him. A very close relationship with the Lord helps us to grow in Him.
Let us imagine the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane...

'And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he
said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,
saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”  And there appeared to him an angel
from heaven, strengthening him.' Luke 22:39-43

1.Place of prayer:
Learning from Jesus 

a)  Alone with the Lord
    Jesus had the custom to pray alone with the Lord.
    Let us prepare ourselves to spend time with our Lord at early morning before getting disturbed with other activities.
b) Humbleness
     'And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed..' Matth 26:39
     Let us kneel before our Lord if possible. Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.
c) Calling the Lord with confidence
    Jesus in his prayer saying ," My Father....." 
    Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Gal 4:6
    Let us pray to the Lord with faith and confidence.
d) Real expressions
    '..his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground' Luke 22:44
    Let us share our feelings, agony, tears, joy to our listening Father, Jesus in our prayer..
 d) Full surrender
    Jesus submitted to do His Father's will saying,"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matth 26:39
    Let us also surrender and obey to His will in our life. 
 
 2.Persistent in prayer:
   Jesus said that we ought to pray and not to lose heart. Luke 18:1
   Paul says, “Be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
   Peter says , “Be sober minded for the sake of prayers.” I Peter 4:7

Learning these from the disciples:
'.. And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?' Matth 26:40
Hindrances for our prayer:

• sleepy during prayer time - We must give up these to gain the relationship with our Lord
• worries, anxieties - These exaggerates the problem. We end with fear and sadness instead of  talking with our Father.
• unwanted thoughts - We have to focus only on Jesus. 
• outside disturbances (phone ringing, smart phones and the sound it makes) - Let us avoid these disturbances during our prayer times.

3.Purpose of prayer:
a) First the Lord wanted His inner circle disciples to share His burden.
   Are we in that inner circle having relationship with God?
   Are we praying with a real burden for those who shared their burdens with us?
b)After seeing those sleeping even after the third time of warning, Jesus asked them to pray that they may not enter into temptation.
   'But the one who endures to the end will be saved' Matth 24:13

Memory Verses:
      Matthew 26:40, 41
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Shared by: Sis. Lalitha Samraj
3-21-2015

People touched by Jesus while He was in agony - 27th day in the lent

1. The man touched by Jesus at the garden - Malchus
       'Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”  ' John 18:10
    ' And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.' Luke 22:50,51

• Since Malchus was the servant of the high priest, He might have heard only the blames on Jesus through the high priest.
• Even if he had chance to know about Jesus' miracles, he might not come near Jesus due to the fear of his master.
• Malchus might come now along with the crowd to the garden for the sake of Priest's command.
• When Peter cut off Malchus' ear, Jesus asked Peter not to do that any more. Then He touched his ear and healed him.
• This was the last miracle happened before His crucifixion.
• As Malchus felt the compassion touch of Jesus, he might have understood Jesus' love and His deeds on the earth.Surely his life also would been touched by this incident.
• 'You did not choose me, but I chose you..' John 15:16

 2. The man released from condemnation - Barabbas
     'Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.  And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.' Mark 15:6,7
     'And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.  And he              answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” ... But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead...So Pilate,wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.'     

• 'when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands,...but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.' Heb 9:11,12
• 'He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.' 1 John 2:2
• Barabbas had freed from the condemnation that time.Thus Barabbas got a chance to live a repented life. His soul might have crushed at the moment of crucifixion of Jesus thinking that innocent blood had shed on behalf of him.
• Any unforgiven sins of a person has  been forgiven, when he comes near the cross, the grace will be given.

  3.The man carried cross with Jesus- Simon
     'And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.' Mark 15:21

• Simon might have heard the news about the crucifixion of Jesus when he came along that way.
• He might have seen the crowd  crying for Him. He might have known the good deeds of Jesus through the people.
• He might not be expected to carry His cross.
• 'Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.' Acts 19:33  'Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. ' Romans 16:13
• These verses are showing us that Simon and the whole family had lived for the Lord.
• Let our family also testify our Lord through our words and deeds.
• '..But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' Jos 24:15

 4.The man changed at the cross- the Centurion
      'When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the                   earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of  God!” Matt 27:54

• 'Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man   was innocent!”' Luke 23:47
• Centurion had watched Jesus' sufferings and His words from the mouth on the cross.
• Thus the centurion testified about Jesus. He was not afraid of the authorities.
• Let us share the gospel of Jesus boldly.
• Let us carry His love to others, who has not tasted His love.

Memory verse
2 corinthians 5:17
'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.'

Shared by Sis. Inbam Sivakumar

3-20-2015

Drink offering - 26th day in the lent

Various types of offerings were offered in the Old Testament period. These included burnt offering, grain offering, meat offering and drink offering.

What is a drink offering? It is a final topping over the sacrifice. At the end of the burnt offering, oil or wine was poured which vaporized and was an aroma pleasing to God.

• Numbers 15: 3-5, 6-7. “With each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering….Offer it as an aroma pleasing to the LORD”.
• Genesis 35:14 – God speaks to Jacob and blesses him saying that kings will come out of him.  Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it.
• Mark 14-3-9. Mary “broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head”. When people rebuked her, Jesus said “She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial”. The two step action was (i) breaking of the jar (ii) pouring of the perfume

How did her action signify the death of Jesus? When His body was broken and He shed 5-7 litres of blood. Jesus foretold about His blood being shed in the last supper as well.

Paul’s life as a drink offering.
 2 Timothy 4: 6, 7:  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

Again in Philippians 2:17 Paul says: Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith. He was pouring out his life for God’s service.  Although Paul was educated under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee highly respected by people (Acts 22:3), He considers everything as rubbish, that to gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8). 

Philippians church was the first church Paul planted in Macedonia. They were persecuted and their faith was tried. Instead of boasting about his establishment of the church, Paul says that he was being poured out as a drink offering.

The greatest drink offering poured was by Jesus. Jesus gave even his last drop of blood for us. 
An average human being has 5-7 liters of blood. Jesus said in Luke 22:20 “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”. The sacrifice of Jesus fulfilled the need of a drink offering. His blood literally poured out when the soldier pierced His side with a spear (John 19:33). So great was His love.

Ephesians 5:2 “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.   The divine encounter with the Lord changed Paul inside out.  He did not stay in the same place after being saved. He wanted both Jews and the Gentiles to know the power of the risen Lord. Galatians 5:24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

To ponder: Let us examine ourselves today. Can we say like Paul that we have offered ourselves as a drink offering? We all have experienced his divine love but have we done anything beyond that? Have we crucified ourselves – fleshly desires on the cross? Are we pouring ourselves for others? Can we say like that we have offered ourselves as a drink offering?

In Romans 12:1 Paul asks us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice saying “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” When Paul says that He was poured as a drink offering to the Lord, it shows his intensity, commitment and determination to use all his time and energy for the Lord. It is a consecration and a sacrifice that is poured out willingly. 

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus for pouring out your blood as a drink offering. Help us to die for our carnal desires and pour out our lives for others, that we may also say like Paul that we are poured out as a drink offering. Amen

MEMORY VERSE:
 Romans 12:1
 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”
ரோமர் 12:1.
‘அப்படியிருக்க, சகோதரரே, நீங்கள் உங்கள் சரீரங்களைப் பரிசுத்தமும் தேவனுக்குப் பிரியமுமான ஜீவபலியாக ஒப்புக்கொடுக்கவேண்டுமென்று, தேவனுடைய இரக்கங்களை முன்னிட்டு உங்களை வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுகிறேன்; இதுவே நீங்கள் செய்யத்தக்க புத்தியுள்ள ஆராதனை.’

Shared by: Viji John

                                                                                                                                                  3-19-2015