Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Category: Christian Page 23 of 169

Easter Eggstra Special

By

On April 6, 2015

In Christian

This past, Thursday, when our 3 year old beloved son, Ittai, came home from school, he had with him a beautifully painted egg and I asked him what it was. He said it was an Easter egg. So I asked him, do you know the meaning of Easter? His response was “Eggs and Baskets.” Well, I tried explaining to Ittai, what Easter truly meant – that it was a celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death and how he rose from the grave – but I felt extremely inadequate in explaining resurrection to a three year old. I was also a little disappointed and mad at the world system that tries to take out the true meaning of a celebration, replacing it with something that is politically correct (case in point, Happy holidays for Merry Christmas, XMas for Christmas and Easter eggs/bunnies for the Resurrection).

Then on Easter morning after the service at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India, in which Pastor Samuel Madhavaraj preached about how the tomb of Christ was not only open but empty as well, one of the church members pointed Ittai to an Easter egg that was under his chair. Excitedly Ittai ran and picked up the egg, but when he opened it, it was empty. It was probably the remnant of an Easter egg hunt that may have taken place earlier that weekend. I saw the look of disappointment on Ittai’s face and as a father, I melted. Then it struck me. I took the empty egg, picked Ittai up, sat him on my lap and explained – “Ittai, you know how I asked you what Easter is all about?”. He nodded. “See, Easter is like this empty egg. The candy that was within is not there anymore. It has probably been taken out and eaten by someone who must have tasted and experienced how good it was. They must have enjoyed it. As long as the candy was in the egg, nobody could enjoy it. Now that the egg shell is empty and the candy is out, it can be enjoyed.” I continued, “in the same manner, Easter is like an empty egg. The tomb when Jesus was buried is empty. If he remained in the tomb, no one could have enjoyed his sweetness. The Bible says, O taste and see that the Lord is good. We must take Jesus (like candy) and accept him and take him into our lives so that he comes into us and becomes one with us. We can then truly enjoy his presence as a child would enjoy candy. Infact, Easter eggs that are empty is a poignant picture of the empty tomb. This is what Easter is.” I couldn’t tell if he fully understood what I was trying to say, but atleast, I hope that he recognizes, Easter is not about eggs and basket … but about an empty tomb, because Jesus, who was placed in the tomb, is risen – He is risen indeed. Death could not hold him; the grave could not keep him – He is alive.

Points to ponder:
Have you tasted the sweetness of the grace of God? In other words, have you received and believed in Christ Jesus, taking him into your lives so that you can truly relish and enjoy his presence, or, are you leaving Christ in the tomb as a child would leave candy within and Easter egg.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (KJV)
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

The ‘good’ in Good Friday

By

On April 3, 2015

In Christian

It is Good Friday and I wondered as to, how could a day in which the perfect sinless Son of God was murdered, with excruciating cruelty, be deemed “Good” Friday?

To answer this, we ought not to resort to the speculations of men, but instead we ought to go to the Holy Bible and seek the answer that is divine.

The first chapter of the book of Genesis starts out with the creation account in which the word “good” is mentioned at the end of each day, except that of the day when man was created, for God said it was not good for man to be alone. Man, who was created imago deo (in the image of God) to be a “relationship” being, just as the Triune God  (God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit) is One – One in relationship. But with the disobedience of man, this relationship between God and man was severed and the state of affairs was dire, for sin came in to the world and by sin, death (Romans 5:8). Man who was made as a living soul (Genesis 2:7) was now corrupted and it took the incorruptible Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5) to save man. This is the good news – that while we were yet sinners, God demonstrated his love for us, as Christ died for us (Romans 5:12).

In the last chapter of the book of Genesis, we see that Joseph, the dreamer, now prince of Egypt, responded with love and kindness to his very own brothers, who had schemed to kill him, and who had sold him as a slave. Joseph is even put in prison for false allegations made against him by his master’s wife, forgotten in the prison, till God raises him to become the second in command to the Pharaoh and rule from the palace. Joseph uses the God given wisdom to store food during the time of plenty for the time of need (famine) thereby becoming a means to the salvation of many. When Joseph confides with his brothers, who had failed to recognize him, after his rise to reign, he expresses “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).

Points to ponder: 
God means all things for good (to those who love him and are called according to his purpose). Though man may mean evil against us, God means it for good.

Men meant evil against Jesus and crucified him, being blinded by the evil one (the devil) as Jesus expressed that they (the men, his executioners) did not know what they were doing. But what man intended as evil against Jesus, God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people (who believe in him) and give them life. Since God meant the murder of Jesus, his only begotten Son, unto good, we call this day, wherein we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, as “Good” Friday. This is the good in Good Friday.

Are you one who has believed in this good news? The good news is that God meant good for all of mankind by sending Jesus to save much people alive. Happy Good Friday!

Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit

By

On April 2, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ seventh and final saying on the Cross before he gave up the ghost was “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” which was addressed to God, his Holy Father. In this saying, we see Jesus’ total surrender to God culminating in his final submission and entrusting of his spirit into God’s own hands – the hands from which, no man can pluck (John 10:29). I have exposited in the past on this saying, but today, let us take note that the submission of Jesus’ spirit into the Father’s hands was voluntary and self-initiated.

Jesus willingly submitted his body (broken) and blood (shed) to save mankind, according to the will of God the Father, and now we see that Jesus willing submits his spirit to God. The operative words in this saying is “I commend” meaning “(Willingly) I commit”.

Points to ponder:
Although no man can snatch those who are entrusted into God’s hands, God himself does not snatch anyone as much as he desires to snatch all from perishing (2 Peter 3:9). He does not force anyone to believe in him leaving the choice to man to receive and accept Jesus, out of their own free will (and choice). In other words, just as Jesus cried with a loud voice, he expects us to say “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit (my being – my all)” Can you say that? In other words, are you in God’s hands?

Luke 23:46 (KJV)
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

It is Finished

By

On April 1, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ sixth saying on the Cross was “It is finished.” which is not particularly directed to anyone specifically, but was a profound declaration of the all of creation, the new state of affairs – the world forever changed – as the devil, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and his power over man, which is death (Hebrews 2:14), was finished.

The words, “It is finished” comes from the Greek word “Tetelastai” which means paid in full. When you owe a payment on something, (say a car or a house), until that debt is paid, the lien holder has a claim on that property. Because the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-48), sinned against God (Genesis 3:6), sin came into the world, and by sin, death (Romans 5:12), which was the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14), and with the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23), the devil became the lien holder over man (Hebrews 2:15). Jesus redeemed mankind with his precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), paying the price of the wages of man’s sin, fully. The devil has no claim over man now, for those who believe in Jesus are under new management as the old management is finished.

Points to ponder:
Jesus declared, It is finished! The question that remains is not whether it is finished, but is it finished for you? In other words, have you received and believed in Jesus? Are you no longer under the bondage of the evil one (the devil)? Are you under new management, the management of God (Jesus Christ), as the devil and his schemes are finished.

John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

I thirst

By

On March 31, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ fifth saying on the Cross was an expression of his need (not want). To thirst is to yearn for a drink. Imagine you are in a desert and you are parched… You would give anything to have a drop of water.

In this fifth saying, Jesus’ thirst could have been a mere expression of his physical thirst after enduring the scourging, stripping and crucifixion. Servants of God, including I (the least of the servants), have exposited on this saying and attempted to explain what Jesus could have meant by this curt expression. One explanation is the yearning of Christ for the souls of men, which is substantiated by the verse that God desires (longs for) all men to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

As I meditated on this and pondered, I wondered, Jesus had drunk the cup of God’s wrath (Matthew 26:39), so what did he thirst for? Jesus had told the woman at the well, that the Holy Spirit of God was the living water (John 7:39), whom he could pour into her life so that she would never thirst again (John 4:13-14). Now he himself was thirsty. Was it because his own Holy Spirit could not be with him in his earthly form for he had become sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)? He expressed that he was forsaken by God, and he cried out My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Was the first address of My God, to God the Father and the second address of my God, to God the Holy Spirit – both the personas of God who were not with Christ Jesus (God the Son). I can only imagine. The more I pondered, the more I realized that Jesus’ thirst is likely for his own Holy Spirit – so that he would never have to thirst again. We know that his Holy Spirit responded to his yearning cry, for Jesus’ last act on the Cross was to commend his Holy Spirit into the Holy hands of God the Father.

Points to ponder:
Do we yearn for the Holy Spirit of God to indwell in us, so that we may never thirst again? Does our soul long for God as a deer pants for water, yearning and crying out to God, “I thirst for God” as he thirsted for us on the Cross. Jesus said, “I thirst” and expects you and me to do the same for him.

John 19:28 (KJV)
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

John 4:13-14 (KJV)
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

By

On March 30, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ fourth saying from the Cross was a question, a question addressed to God (his Father), wherein, he cried with a loud voice saying “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Notice, how Jesus, who addressed God as Father, when he asked him to forgive his murderers and who addressed God as Father, when he commended his Spirit into his Father’s hand, is now addressing God as God and not Father, implying that his sonship was severed due to the sin that he had become (2 Corinthians 5:21), for God the Holy Father could have nothing to do with sin, just as light can have no communion with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14).

The question posed was “Why?”
The answer is “Love” and the object of that Love is “You and me”.

Why did God the Father forsake Jesus?
God so loved the world (you and me) that he forsook his only begotten Son, so that we would not have to cry out “Why have you forsaken me?” Instead, Jesus, the Only begotten Son of God cried out, being God forsaken, so that we who are deserve to be God forsaken because of our sinfulness, can be called the sons and daughters of God.

Points to ponder: 
God’s “Love” for you and me is so great that he demonstrated his love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), being forsaken by God. Behold, what manner of “Love” the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1) because his very own Son, Jesus Christ, had been forsaken and could not address him as Abba, Father.

Matthew 27:45-47 (KJV)
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

Woman, behold thy son! … Behold thy mother!

By

On March 26, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ third saying from the Cross was directed to his mother and to his beloved disciple who was standing by her. To her, he said, “Woman, behold thy son!” and to him, he said, “Behold thy mother!” The action verb in both these statements is “Behold”. This word is a word that is a call to attention and literally has it roots from combining the words “be” and “to hold”. It is more than just a glance or a look – it means to keep the gaze on and to hold on to that sight.

As part of dispensing his duties (as any Son should), in this saying, Jesus was profoundly establishing a truth – the truth of holding on in sight to relationships – never losing focus on familial relationship.

Points to ponder:
To all those who have believed in Jesus, and who have received and accepted him, God has given them the power to be called the sons (children) of God (John 1:12). In other words, we are part of God’s family, if we believe and receive Jesus Christ, to be our Lord and Savior. God is reminding us to look at and hold on to that familial relationship, we have with God.

The Bible makes it amply clear that this is what we are counseled and commanded to do – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame (Hebrews 12:2a). Notice how this rendition is “looking” and not just “look”, implying that this is a constant action – to behold – to keep the gaze – to hold on in view.

To the Church, the Woman (bride of Christ), God, the Father is saying, Behold his Son, Jesus Christ – looking on to him perpetually. What are you beholding?

John 19:26-27 (KJV)
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Today shalt thou be with me in paradise

By

On March 25, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ second saying from the Cross was “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” It was said to a criminal who hung next to him. This criminal recognized the innocence of Jesus for he said that “this man has not done anything amiss” and then quickly recognized that Jesus was not just the son of man, but the Son of God for he recognized him as Lord and King for he said “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” I have expanded on this saying a few times in the past. This was the criminal’s salvation experience. It also expresses that man is saved by faith (believing in the Lordship and Kingship of Christ) and not be works, for the criminal did not have anytime to go do any good works or even publicly profess his faith by baptism, yet Jesus assures him with words of blessed assurance that he shall be with him. What powerful words? “Be with Christ”.

Points to ponder:
In the book of Acts 4:12-13 we read that when the disciples (Peter and John) boldly proclaimed that there was no other name, except Jesus, by which man can be saved, the people took notice of this and marveled that such unlearned men spoke with such boldness and realized that these men had been with Christ. What a testament? These men had been with Christ. Can that be said of you and me?

Jesus said, “You shall be with me” to a criminal (wrongdoer) and those words are words that ring true even today to each one of us, who are sinners (wrongdoers), if we believe in his Lordship and Kingship. He will be with us when we believe in Him. And to all those who have believed, if Christ is with us, do we boldly proclaim his salvation to others, so that they take notice of us and marvel saying that “We have been with Jesus.” Think about it.

Luke 23:38-43 (KJV)
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Acts 4:12-13 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

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

By

On March 24, 2015

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ first words from the Cross was one of forgiveness and it was addressed to God, his Father. Jesus basically asked God to forgive those who had hurt him. While I have studied the meaning of these words a few times in the past, I did not understand the extent of this Father Son interaction until recently, because of a life experience.

Reuben, our 9 year son was verbally libeled and attacked by someone, whom I feel is blinded by the god of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4). This was an unprovoked attack. As a father, my initial reaction was to lash back. After prayer and Godly counsel from my wife, I chose not to, conflicting in the battle between the flesh (wanting to fight for my son) and my Spirit (which was convincing me that God will fight the battles for us), which God beautifully did.

Yet, to be honest, I still find it incredibly difficult to forgive, something that I have realized that I must personally work on. Then I realized that if my son, Reuben, asks me to forgive this person, it would be relatively a lot easier, as the love for my son would trump any hurt or offense caused by anyone.

In fact, it also dawned on me that though the people lied and murdered Jesus, they were acting under the influence of the evil one, who had blinded their minds – they did not know what they were doing! which Jesus recognized and stopped God’s wrath from falling on man. He knew what was in man (John 2:25) and stopped God’s anger. Imagine for a moment, if Jesus had not stepped in and asked God to forgive his persecutors – I can only speculate that the result would have been catastrophic. God would have been completely justified even if he had undone all of creation for its fallen state.

If I, as an earthly imperfect father, can pent up so much anger in defense of our son, how many manifold times more would have been God’s, the Holy Father’s (John 17:11), anger on man, when the people attacked and crucified his only begotten perfect Son, Jesus Christ. Now I understand the implication and the impact of the first words of Jesus from the Cross of Calvary. On one hand, while it show Jesus’ omniscience of mankind and his love for the people, on the other hand, it implicitly it reveals to us the Love of God, the Father, for his Son, Jesus.

Points to ponder:
Being under the influence of the evil one, people may hurt us, without knowing (realizing) what they are doing and Jesus said, pray for those who persecute you and bless those who curse you. Yeah, it is undoubtedly hard to forgive, but as a Christ follower, we must (especially I must) follow Jesus’ example and call on him “Abba, Forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” and that is something that I ought not to merely ponder upon, but act on as well. (Coveting your prayers.)

Luke 23:34 (KJV)
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Offer of the Only Son

By

On March 23, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:2 records the test of Abraham in which God told Abraham to take his son, his only son (Isaac), whom he loved to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a sacrifice (burnt offering) upon one of the mountains that God was going to tell him. Now cursorily it may seem unkind of God to even make such a request but closer scrutiny reveals something that is very profound.

This was a revelation of God’s plan of Salvation for all of mankind. If I can take the liberty to suggest, for a moment, imagine God to be in introspection speaking with himself the same words he told Abraham, instead of speaking with Abraham. In this situation, this is God telling himself – I have to take my son, my only Son Jesus, whom I love (for Jesus is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased) and take him to the land chosen by me (Jehovah), a land of bitterness (for the two common meanings of the word Moriah are: chosen by Jehovah or land of bitterness) and offer him there upon one of the mountains (the mount of Golgotha, aka Calvary).

Now God’s test of Abraham seems a lot less unkind, doesn’t it?

Points to ponder:
God’s test of Abraham to offer his only son was a test God had to take of himself. God so loved the world that he took his son, his only Son Jesus, who was the begotten and beloved Son and brought him to the world of bitterness (Ephesians 4:30-32) in which we live and offered him as an offering (a perfect sacrifice) on a Cross on the mount of Golgotha (or Country). God’s offer of his only Son was for you and me. Have you accepted his offer?

Genesis 22:2 (KJV)
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Page 23 of 169

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén