Tuesday, February 26, 2008

JESUS & THE CROSS

How did Jesus die? Do you think he died because of physical injury during crucifiction? If that is your answer, I want you to rethink again…Jesus did not die of the physical injury or the mental & emotional trauma that he went through. He died because he chose to give his life for you and for me, so that we can be saved and experience new life and eternal salvation. He lived to do the father’s will and execute it to the last word. He operated on a different timetable all together when he was alive…when Mary wanted him to do a miracle at the marriage of cannan, he refused and said that his time had not come….when he got the message that Lazarus was sick…he stayed back 2 more days in the same place…we can find throughout the Gospel that Jesus operated on a Heavenly timetable…

The Old Testament tells us that God appeared as a human being on several occasions. If Jesus wanted only to heal and teach, he could have simply appeared. But he did more: he became a human. Why? So he could die. To understand Jesus, we need to understand his death. His death is a crucial part of the gospel and something all Christians should know.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). He came to give his life, to die, and his death would purchase salvation for others. This was the primary reason he came to earth. His blood was poured out for others (Matthew 26:28).

At the ninth hour (the time at which a sacrificial lamb was killed everyday in the Jewish temple), Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated,” My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” and soon died, after saying “It is finished.” At about this moment is probably the time when the temple’s priestly ram’s horn would have been blown that day, announcing that the priests had completed the sacrifice of the lamb for the sins of Israel. Also at that moment, the great, thick curtain that closed the Holy of Holies room from view, ripped open from top to bottom. - -Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:46

Jesus said there is no greater love than someone giving his life for his friend. YES we have a great friend in Jesus, who gave his life for us. Have you not experienced it yet!

Monday, February 25, 2008

THE HOLY BIBLE - Series 1

Issac Newton , once remarked “ If the bible is true, the time is coming when men shall travel at fifty miles an hour.” We all know that Newton believed in Bible and in God. But Voltaire the french skeptic sarcastically commented not acknowledging the fulfillment of Netwon’s words, commented “ Poor issac he was in his dotage when he made this prophecy. It only shows what Bible study will do to an otherwise scientific mind”.

You know today we have trains that travel half the speed of sound thereby fulfilling the foresight of Newton. Only months back the French have tested their tgv high speed train with a world record of 574.8 kmph. It takes 5 minutes and 30 km for the train to run down and come to a hault. Voltaire also remarked “In 100 years this book will be forgotten and eliminated…”, and here we are 300 years after that and this living book of the living God remains the same and will be same through out our existence.

Jesus when he walked the earth said “Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away - Mark 13:31. What a blessing we have this Word of God, The book of life! that is forever the truth!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Salvation is God's Gift to Mankind

I was particularly praying for a change in perspective, in the way the Gospel is preached and I got the answer from the word of God.

There is a strong opinion in this world that sin, Morality, Heaven & Hell are imposed on humanity by the Christians and it is not necessary for everyone to believe it. Most of the time our preachers have aggregated unbelivers by going that extra mile in projecting that God is going to punish you, if you don’t accept him. But what we need to propogate is that; God is love and in his immense care for the pinnacle of his creation, God knowing that Man can do nothing to gain his reedemtion from his sin, came down to this earth that He created, walked as one among us, was crucified for our Sins on the cross of calvary, was resurrected from the dead on the third day and is now seated on the right hand of the father, showing us a way and being the first fruit of this great salvation.

All we need is to present the people of this world with this perspective. No matter how good or bad we are, no matter how we try to clease and purify ourself, no matter how we try to justify ourself with human self righteousness, we are all destined for Hell. And the merciful God out of love and grace has sent his son to be sacrificed for us on the cross, whereby we can escape this eternal destruction and be with Him in Heaven.

Salvation cannot and doesn’t need anything extra be done than to believe in the provision of redemption done through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. When i say this, it is inclusive of the fact that we obey God and his commandments to run our course on this earth not because of the fear of hell but because of the Love towards Him.