She Did What She Could

August 1998. We had gone as missionaries from Chennai to Kolkata with our four month old son, Giftson. There was this timid and poor Santali tribal girl from a small village from the neigbouring state of Assam. She looked tall and pale. Her tribal dress looked worn-out too. Many students like Maduri had come in the same week of our arrival there to the then run down old facility of Calcutta Bible Seminary (CBS). During the first week as I kept building my bonds with the new students, I found Maduri wearing the same dress all through. I wanted to help her. As a family newly shifted to the city of Calcutta, I had only taken few of my best sarees. The rest of our household things were yet to come. I gave Maduri some of my sarees. She accepted my gift with her typical smile. It took some more days for me to understand that she came from a tribal culture where they choose to wear the same dress until it wears out. This incident gave us an opportunity to teach students like Maduri about basic cleanliness and hygiene.

Maduri was an average student at CBS. She was not so good at academics. But I remember during her final year of studies in 2002, when CBS ministry by then had extended its activities in the Sundarban islands, it was she who opted to go as a missionary first there. She and another student named Shenbagavalli started to work in the Namkhana block, a totally unreached area with the gospel, by staying in a rented house. Today churches and worshipping groups have come up not only in that block but in several other blocks in Sundarbans, all because of the pioneering ministry of students of Calcutta Bible Seminary like Maduri.

Maduri after graduation went as a missionary to Gujarat. She was still timid but her missionary zeal was great. She joined VBS ministries which has its headquarters in Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu. She travelled the lengths and breadths of India to places in Gujarat, Jharkhand and West Bengal. She used to come to Bangalore quite often (we by then had moved to this city from Calcutta) bringing candidates from various states for VBS training. She visited our house in Bangalore and saw Giftson, our son grown as a young lad by then. During one visit, I saw her thrust a 500 rupee note in his hand and she said, “Giffy this is for you.” It was a moving scene for me because I could see the way God had transformed Maduri not only spiritually but  also economically. During that visit  sitting near to her, I heard from her stories regarding translating children's materials in various languages and about conducting VBSs ' in remote villages in India. I told her, “Maduri, you are a lady apostle to our nation.” She smiled back.

She used to talk to me quite often over phone to the extent that sometimes I had to say, “Maduri, I am in the middle of this work. Can you call  mea little later?” Now I know that I have to wait for my turn to talk to her in heaven. Her main concern in all those telephone calls centred around one cause. She was deeply concerned for her own tiny village in Assam. She shared about the frequent tribal wars in her place which have left so many as orphans. I also learnt through her that children in her place have no access to good education. She often told me of her willingness to donate a huge piece of land for building a school and was pressing me hard to visit her place in this regard. I regret that I could not plan a trip while she was alive.

1970-2012

Maduri was basically not a healthy girl. Since she traveled widely and frequently her health which was already poor, started to deteriorate. Phone conversations  became less frequent in the last few months. When I enquired through other sources I was told that her health grew worse with repeated attacks of typhoid. I was also told that in spite of her poor health conditions, she did her ministry faithfully in Gujarat and Jharkhand until November. Choosing to remain as a single, she toiled hard like apostle Paul .

20 December, 2012. I was conversing with Rita, a contemporary and friend of Maduri, during our mission trip in the Sundarban islands. I was thinking a lot about Maduri on that day and was desperately wanting to talk to her over phone, only to know later that it was on this very same day she went to be with the Lord forever. Tearfully I went down my memory lane bringing back thoughts of all that Maduri meant to me. In the midst of tears, a wave of happiness overwhelmed me when I began to think about her contribution to our nation as a lady apostle. One thing that is bothering me however is her vision for her village in Assam for “a school.”

One day I want to visit Maduri’s place with a team and then would prayerfully look forward to see a school built in memory of her. And I want my friends and well-wishers to be in that team to see Maduri’s dream come true!

"She did what she could." (Mark 14:8)

Don’t Miss the Bliss!

Have you ever had the experience of missing a train or a flight? I have had both. It’s a mess when we miss. There had been people who have missed blissful situations due to various reasons. I go back to the happenings around the first Christmas event in a time frame of nearly 2000 years back to the land of Palestine. The Jews living during that time of history were waiting for a Messiah who would liberate them from the bondage of the Romans who were ruling their land at that time. We see different attitudes in people who lived during the birth of Jesus because of which they missed the bliss of a historic event in their lives.

Hard-hearted Innkeepers

A liberator appeared for the people in the name of “Jesus.” But who will ever know if he comes knocking at the door step hiding himself inside the womb of a woman? The inn keepers for sure at one look at Mary and Joseph concluded that they were from a poor back ground. They also had a reason: they had no room in the inn. But they could have pitied for a woman who was on the verge of her delivery. They narrowly missed the bliss of having the Savior being born in their inn! The only place that welcomed the Saviour was the manger with the sheep and the cattle in it. Blessed ones!

To people with a cold attitude, Jesus would say on the judgement day: “ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me…” (Matthew 25:43). Our hard heartedness leads us to a state of unblessedness. We receive Jesus, when we receive least persons in our midst and care for their needs because whatever we do for one of the least, we do for Jesus.’ (V.40).

Insecure Herod and Jerusalemites

King Herod was a mighty man of the time. He knew that the baby that was born was a King. Yet he and all Jerusalem were disturbed because of the birth of the baby. Insecurity plagued them. Part of the fearing of the people of Jerusalem was the fulfillment of the prophecy mentioned in Genesis 49:10: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Fear and insecurity made a big chunk of the Jerusalem community miss the bliss of the Christ child.

There can be no fear in a blessed situation. Perfect love drives away fear (1 John 4:18). One common message of the first Christmas event to Mary, Zechariah and the shepherds was: "fear not". They did not fear and became the recipients of the greatest blessing in their lives.

Dumb Religious Leaders

The chief priests and the teachers of the law knew the Scriptures and the exact place where the Redeemer would be born. They quoted Micah 5:2 and pointed out the place as Bethlehem. But they did not bother to walk up few miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. They were not curious enough to see even whether such an event was true. They for sure missed the bliss of the wonder of wonders of their time. In contradiction, the magi from the east were curious enough and traveled miles to see the King of kings.

The religious leaders knew the Scripture which was not of any use for them. Even satan knows the Scriptures. What is more important is that effort to see for ourselves and experience Christ in the closest proximity. The shepherds in contradiction to the chief priests and teachers of the law were not experts in the Scripture but they had the instinct in them to obey the angelic command and walk up to the manger and see for themselves the Saviour of the world. There were also the old Simon and Anna who lived in the temple of Jerusalem, who received the bliss of seeing the Saviour before their deaths.

Christianity is not a dumb religion. We can feel Christ in us. If you have not done that, start right away.  Caste away any sort of hard heartedness, fear, insecurity, and useless knowledge. Invite Jesus and taste and see that the Lord is good. If you have done that already, enjoy Christ living in you every day of your life. Don’t miss this bliss for anything else! A Happy and Blessed Christmas, folks!

Food, Glorious Food!

“I’m right now craving for chicken, coffee, chocolate…” - and what not? Is there something you say you need to eat/drink for the day to be a good day ? Else are you enslaved to being a slim figure or a body builder? The trend in eating food has two extremes. One is an age old problem of being a glutton. The other is a craving for a “size zero” or a “six pack” body. It is culture that has been continuously pumping us with such silly fashion ideas. However we cannot under estimate the power of food in our lives. It is integral to our lives.What does the Bible say about food?

We should know that food was created for both sustenance and pleasure (Deuteronomy 14:26, Acts 14:17). It was God who gave us both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food to eat and enjoy. Therefore we are not people who believe physical world and body as evil. Rather Christian faith elevates body as good. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And God created us with different tastes, a tongue with lots of taste buds (an average of 10,000)! Food therefore is a blessing.

But the Bible also speaks clearly against gluttony and drunkenness (Proverbs 23:20-21, 28:7, Deuteronomy 21:20-21).  Puritans' Westminster catechism interprets the sixth command, “Thou shalt not murder” to the extreme that we should not murder ourselves by not taking care of our bodies. It tells of an appropriate use of food, rest, exercise. Being unwell most of the times is because we are not caring for our bodies. Some genetically are strong. Some are not. Romans 8:28 tells that God causes all things for his good. This includes people with genetic problems too. Any case we need to be stewards of our own bodies. Matthew 22:37 exhorts us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind.

Also God transforms us to his image, not as human models. We don’t have to be outwardly beautiful. What is the difference between moral atheists who care for their body and us? Christ is our identity. We are his bride. He has clothed us with his garment of righteousness. We are beautiful. He says to us, “This is my beloved daughter/son in whom I am well pleased.”

Practical Guidelines:

· You can always enlist the help of a physician or nutritionist.

· Develop a thank list. When you are not tempted to overeat, purge or starve, write out a list of items you are thankful for.

· Do not complain over food. (when you get it late and so on) They gave vinegar to Jesus when he was thirsty.

· Learn godly view of food and eating (1 Timothy 4:3-5). It is easy for us to make lists of food that are bad, not remembering that God created them and that they are good. Receive it with gratitude and prayer. Know that most of the world is starving without food.

· Begin to memorize scripture to use when tempted: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Colossians 3:17

· Develop a contingency plan when you are tempted in the area of food: cry out to God in humble trust. Start reciting the memory verses and start moving away from the source of temptation. Hear some gospel music or go for a walk.

· Even if you have started eating sinfully, remember that your desire to be perfect and your resulting condemnation and further self-indulgence will compound your problem rather than give you peace. We cannot be perfect by ourselves. 

· Read and meditate on Christ’s suffering even for sin related to food. (like Isaiah 53)

· Mediate on Christ’s perfections: He ate perfectly his whole life. He never binged or starve himself for ungodly reasons. He was never vain about how he looked because his identity was solely in who he was as his Father’s son.

A study on food in the Bible has this interesting fact: God frequently tested people in the area of food. Some major tests on food in Scriptures are:

· Adam and Eve were first tested with food (Genesis 3:1-7).

· The Israelites’ wandering for the extra forty years was part of a test. And part of the test was food. The Israelites also went back in their minds wanting the food of Egypt many times. Interestingly, it was God who gave them food tests in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:3).

· Children of Israel failed the test. Jesus was the only one who passed this test. The area which we stumble in was one of the areas he was tested in (Matthew 4).

· This speaks to the difficulty of the test. Jesus is our hope and righteousness even in this regard.

Why are so many fitness and health books being published every year? They work for a little while and then what happens? What we need is not a law from outside, but a transformation from within. Law does not make us better. That is why God sent Jesus. Jesus offered his body for us, our gluttony and for our other bodily cravings. He died on the cross for every such sin of us. He rose again assuring freedom from our guilt of sin and to help us lead a victorious life. Let us apply this gospel and live in freedom and gratitude.

(Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W5HI0TbZ90)

Dead, Yet Speaks!

Rev C.P. Gnanamani (1868-1922) is my forefather through my paternal grandmother, Mrs Ida Immanuel. An interesting incident which happened in his life has a powerful impact on me. One day Rev Gnanamani was returning home in a bullock cart. At about 300 feet from the path there was a Hindu temple in which a special festivity was going on. Rev Gnanamani remaining in the cart prayed to God and drew a symbol of the “cross” facing the temple. Some people noticed this. Almost at the same time, a big fire broke out in the temple and there was utter panic and confusion in the crowd. Someone said that the fire was due to a mantra muttered by a Christian priest who went on that way.

A furious mob thronged the house of Rev Gnanamani, who by then had reached home. They shouted and demanded that he should come out of the house immediately. In spite of requests from members of family not to step out, Rev Gnanamani came out and answered the crowd politely but firmly that he only prayed for them when he crossed the temple, but did not chant a mantra against them. The crowd was not convinced and they threatened to kill him. At this Rev Gnanamani stepped still forward with his head bowed to the crowd. One voice from the crowd said, “Do not lay your hand on this great man. If just because of the mantra, if such a disaster could happen, how much more would happen to us, if we kill him! We will be totally wiped out!” Rev Gnanamani took that time to share the Good News. People apologised to him and this incident paved way for many to accept Christ.

Rev C. P. Gnanamani served in several churches in Tamil Nadu from 1900-22:  St. Johns, Conoor, St Michaels, Mudalur, St Patricks, Tuticorin, Good Shepherd, Mylapore, St Pauls, Vepery, All Saints, Puthur, Trichy. Rev Gnanamani was a great Tamil scholar. He composed some famous Tamil lyrics, to name a few: kalame devanai thedu, anbe piradanam, Yesuvin namame thirunamam. Of this, the song, “Yesuvin namame thirunamam” says all through about the power in the name of Jesus. True to that song was the way in which God demonstrated His power through his humble servant, through which there was an opportunity for many people to accept Jesus as their Lord.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)“…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:10)

(Source: "Vachiramani Christian kudumba iraippani - mummani kavimanigal")

Shoots in Search of the Root – My Ancestral Story

There is an interesting story behind the single Christian tomb in a village called, “Usarathu kudiyirupu” (Brahmanavilai) near Udankudi in Tuticorin District Tamil Nadu. Sadly this village has no Christian residing there today. The only Christian witness there is the tomb of my forefather, Vachiramani Christian Ubathesiar (1835-1910).

Vachiramani Ubathesiar lived in this very village as a landlord owning more than 1000 acres of land, thousands of sheep and cattle. He was a Hindu priest in the temple which still remains in the village. Being proficient in Tamil literature, he was also involved in educating the unlearned, conducting classes in open platforms in his village 130 years ago. However he became a Christian, hearing the story of Joseph from an English missionary. Because of his Christian testimony he was then forced to leave his village and possessions. He settled down in Jaffna (in SriLanka) as a Tamil teacher and gospel worker. In his old age, after he returned to India from his services as a catechist (Ubathesiar) at Jaffna, Ceylon, he made advance arrangements for his burial at his native place, Osarathu kudiyiruppu. Thus, his grave is the only Christian witness in that village now.

Vachiramani Uphadesiar had five boys and four girls. His eldest son Rev. C. P. Gnanamani was also a Tamil scholar and teacher. His epic Tamil grammar book written in 1885 was gazetted as a text book in the schools. Rev. Gnanamani’s eldest son Rev. Canon C. D. Gnanamani was a great scholar in Tamil Literature. Rev. P. S. Peter who was also an excellent Tamil poet became a member of this family, by marrying the daughter of Vachiramani Ubathesiar. All these three poets and lyric writers have contributed over 750 lyrics and other poetic works. They have written in carnatic musical style with specific raagas (tunes) and thaalas. Some of their famous Tamil lyrics are: kaalame devanai thedu, Yesuvin namame thirunamam, Anbe piradanam, aathume thevanai (Mary’s song).

An endowment has been created in the name of Vachiramani Christian at the Madras University, under the Tamil Christian Literature Seat in the year 2010. Thus the name of Vachriamani Christian has been given a place of honour in the field of Tamil christian literature by Madras university. The number of descendants of the nine children of Vachiramani Christian connected so far is about 450. The countries they live include Malaysia, Singapore, Britain, Germany, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, USA and Australia.

The sacrifice Vachiramani Uphadesiar made in leaving his wealthy style of living cannot be compared to the eternal salvation he has gained in God’s mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life (soul)? Or what shall a man give in return for his life (soul)?” (Matt 16:26).

I am proud to be Vajramani Upathesiar's great granddaughter’s granddaughter. To me he is a model like our father Abraham of the Biblical heritage.  Both left their places and followed God’s plan which resulted in future generations turning to that same God in multitudes. There may be similar interesting stories in everyone’s family history. It would turn to be a blessing to future generations when one seeks and finds it. 

Souces: Jebalin John, “Veraithedum Vizhudhugal” in Dinamani Kadir dated 30.5.2010, translated by Mr John Jeyanandam in “ Vachiramani Christian’s Nine Gem Comminuque” and E-mail information from Mr John Jeyanandam in Vachiramani Yahoo Group.

“Her Story” in Church “History”

When we think of the early church, our minds focus on the Church Fathers. Sadly, we sometimes fail to consider the Church Mothers. Let us not forget the godly women who heroically waged spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Their losses and their victories, their pain and their joy, their walk with Christ and their journey with one another are all an inheritance from which we learn lessons for today.

Vibia Perpetua (181-203) heads that company. The early Church preserved her manuscript, The Martyrdom of Perpetua, because it is one of the oldest and most descriptive accounts of death for Christ. It is also the earliest known document written by a Christian woman, Perpetua, coauthored by Saturus, the one who led her to Christ. It is believed that a redactor later supplied the introduction and conclusion to the book.

Perpetua lived in Carthage in North Africa during the persecution of Christians under Septimius Severus. At the time of her arrest in 202 AD, she was a twenty-one-year-old mother of an infant son. Born into a wealthy, prominent, but unbelieving family, she was a recent convert with a father who continually attempted to weaken her faith and a husband who was, for reasons unknown to us, out of the picture. Nothing in Perpetua’s situation or background prepared her for the titanic spiritual struggle God called her to face.

Perpetua, Felicitas, both women, Perputua's brother, and two other new converts were discipled by Saturus. We learn from Perpetua’s writings about the arrest of all these faithful followers of Christ. Perpetua candidly faced her fears and expresses her suffering: “I was terrified because never before had I experienced such darkness. What a terrible day! Because of crowded conditions and rough treatment by the soldiers the heat was unbearable. My condition was aggravated by my anxiety for my baby.”

On the day of Perpetua’s final hearing before being martyred for her faith in 203 AD, the guards rushed Perpetua to the prisoners’ platform. Her father appeared with her infant son, and begged Perpetua to have pity on her son. He caused such an uproar, that the governor Hilarion ordered him to be thrown out, and he was beaten with a rod. Perpetua writes of this horrible incident. “My father’s injury hurt me as much as if I myself had been beaten. And I grieved because of his pathetic old age.”

Felicitas, the other young woman was in her eighth month of pregnancy. As the day of martyrdom approached, two days, united in grief they prayed to the Lord. Immediately after their prayers, her labor pains began and Felicitas gave birth to a girl whom one of her sisters reared as her own.

Eye witnesses record the entire group's witness for Christ to the very end. “The day of their victory dawned, and with joyful countenances they marched from the prison to the arena as though on their way to heaven. If there was any trembling, it was from joy, not fear. Perpetua followed with a quick step as a true spouse of Christ, the darling of God, her brightly flashing eyes quelling the gaze of the crowd.” To the crowd the women were nothing but entertainment. But to Christ they were His brides.

As the group was led through the gates, they were ordered to put on different clothes. The men were to wear those of the priests of Saturn, the women, those of the priestesses of Ceres. But the noble Perpetua stubbornly resisted even to the end. She said, ‘We’ve come this far voluntarily in order to protect our rights, and we’ve pledged our lives not to recapitulate on any such matter as this. We made this agreement with you.’ Injustice bowed to justice and the guard conceded that they could enter the arena in their ordinary dress.

At the demand of the mob they were first scourged; then a boar, a bear, and a leopard, were set at the men, and a wild cow at the women. Wounded by the wild animals, they gave each other the kiss of peace and were then put to the sword.

This is a moving account of true devotion to Jesus in the face of severe suffering, loss and agony. Most of us would give anything to preserve our families, and yet they lost everything - including their family and infant kids - to gain the glory of Jesus. They remind us of Jesus' words in the Gospel of Matthew: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:37-39).

Women mentioned here are found no less to men in shedding their blood which we know became the foundation of the Church. Is there a tendency in us to take Church for granted, today? What is going to be our contribution to the building of His Church and Kingdom?

Sources:

http://www.rpmministries.org/2012/03/womens-history-month-part-1-vibia-perpetua-from-victim-to-victor/

http://aaronmartin.blogspot.in/2007/07/vibia-perpetua.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06029a.html

Paul – a Model for Men

Some of us have understood Paul as a male chauvinist. But how many of us know Paul as one who fought for the justice of a woman? And how many of us know that Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they liberated a woman from her bondage?

Luke tells us about a female slave who earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the team and annoyed them by her remarks, because she was possessed by evil spirits.  We see Paul delivering the woman by using the name of Jesus Christ. So the men who were earning using this woman got angry, dragged the apostles to the market place, stripped them and bet them. Finally the apostles landed in prison with their feet in stocks. We should know that Paul and Silas did not undergo this grueling experience for converting people to Christ. They were in the prison for acting in the interest of a woman. They felt it was worth undergoing such a punishment for liberating a woman. They knew they did the right thing. So they sang songs in the midnight in the prison. God knew that His men were suffering for justice. The prison doors flew open. The chains loosened. (Acts 16:16-26)

But, think about this: why would an important Christian leader like Paul, risk his ministry for a seemingly unimportant person like this young woman? Perhaps he was annoyed with the society that allowed a young woman to be abused this way. He knew that the men in her life exploited her. Therefore, we see this male leader stepping in for a poor woman who was at the bottom of the society.

Some oppression of women is caused by women. But much more is caused by or for men. If men are causing the oppression of women, it needs men to work for the change. Brothers, leaders and pastors, women who are unjustly treated need your help. They need you to teach and train men and women and churches and societies towards justice.

Can we learn from St. Paul?

(Source: Beulah Wood, "Can we learn from St. Paul" in Side by Side: Gender from a Christian Perspective, SAIACS Press, 2007)

The One Command

Do you know the “One Command” which applies for both the human Creation & the Church? It is also the “First” command in the Bible. Of sure, it precedes the famous “Ten Commandments.” This “One Command” even runs through the whole Bible from the beginning to the end. This first and one command was to “be fruitful and to multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Importantly, this command succeeds the verse which says that both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (v.27).  It is therefore clear that the earth has to be filled not merely with humans but humans in the image of God. 

The aspect of God's image in Adam and Eve is evident in the way they were associated with the Creator God in the Garden of Eden in a personal way. But when sin entered into the lives of Adam & Eve, they ran away from God and the image of God in them became marred. God had then agents like Noah, Abraham and many more through whom He gave and acted upon His promises of restoring and blessing the fallen human beings. He then chose the nation “Israel” as His agent and through the ups and down of her history was telling her and the other nations about a God who can restore nations.

In an appropriate time in history, Jesus, the incarnate God Himself came and discipled a handful to whom He gave the “Great Commission” commanding them to make further disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).  After Jesus ascended to heaven, Holy spirit, the third person of the Trinity came upon the believers of the Saviour-God. Again the commission of the Holy Spirit was the same. The primary purpose in the dwelling of Holy Spirit in a person is to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The members of the early church witnessed the God of the Bible to the then ends of the earth.

Now, it is “we” all who have been restored to the image of God, who are commissioned to carry the gospel. There are many people today who never have heard the “Good News” of the Bible even once in their lives. There are people both in our near and far geographical and cultural contexts whose spiritual images are still marred. They do not know their Creator and Saviour God. The commission is on His church, consisting of people who bear His image to plunge into discipling people and communities in the near and farthest corners of the world. The commission in the first page of the Bible to fill this earth with humans restored to His image, still remains the same. By fulfilling His command we can contribute our share to the great multitudes in Heaven (Revelation 7:9). In heaven, we will be “like Him”, all in the image of God. We will be with Him forever.

The question: Am I obeying the “One Command” of the Bible? What changes have to be made in me, my church to follow this over arching command of the Bible?

Who is a Good Teacher?

I have been in many “Teachers Day” celebrations in Bible colleges over the years. I have enjoyed and cherished the greetings of my students. However the question I have to honestly answer is: “Am I a good teacher?” I have attempted here to derive the traits of true teachers from Matthew chapter 23 which I found useful enough for sharing.

1.     Good teachers are models

Jesus starts off with a shocking note asking his followers to obey the teachers who teach authoritatively from the Scriptures, but not to "do" what some teachers “do” because they teach what they themselves do not practice (v.1-3). I have sometimes had struggles to understand the counsel of people in authority who say “good” things, which they themselves do not follow. Such hurts should only lead us not to do the same mistake in our own lives. Did not Ezra devote himself to observe the law of the Lord, before he ventured to teach? (Ezra 7:10) Jesus, the best ever teacher, never taught anything which he did not model.

2.     Good teachers are servants

 Good teachers will not lay heavy loads on students alone. They would rather give a helping hand in carrying the loads of their students/disciples (v. 4) Jesus wants teachers to be servants to students. It sounds silly. But the secular world today has recognized the value of the “servant leadership” style Jesus taught and modeled.  It is worth following it. The early apostles were admonished not to put heavy yoke on their disciples (Acts 15:10). Jesus, a teacher himself offers not to burden his disciples but promises them to give rest (Matthew 11:28).  The greatest in God’s sight is a servant-teacher willing to help (v. 11 ).

3.     Good teachers will not be attention-seeking

The Pharisees and teachers of law of that time were proud and seeking attention from people. They took pleasure in titles (v. 5-7). Even today titles like “Dr.& Rev.” are sold for money for such “seekers of titles.” We should know that even while we live in this world, honor comes to the humble (v.12). Even otherwise, it is sensible and right to seek our recognition from God who offers to call the diligent worker as “a good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) in a life that is everlasting!

4.       Good teachers know their goal

Bible teachers are true guides and they will lead students/disciples to eternal life. They will mould them as sons and daughters of the living God.  Even evangelistic zeal, like how the pharisees had, of some teachers amounts to nothing if they are stumbling blocks to their students by their wrong modelling (v.15). They are blind guides because those who follow them cannot reach their heavenly destination. Jesus says that such teachers cannot escape their sentence to hell (v.33). Jesus spells a lot of words in condemning the legalistic, hypocritic and sinful lives of wrong teachers in verses 16-33.

5.     Good teachers hold to “head” issues

The focus of the Pharisees and teachers of the law was not on the head of the matters like: justice, mercy and faithfulness, but on tail issues like tithes. They preferred gold in place of temple, gift in place of altar. They strained the gnat (the smallest unclean creature) and swallowed camels. Observing any law minus love equals legalism. Giving tithe out of love for God is different from: “If I give tithe, God will bless me!” Jesus also compared the hypocritic teachers to white washed tombs. A hypocrite appears clean only from the outside. No wonder Jesus condemned the false teachers as hypocrites, snakes and a brood of vipers (v. 16-33). Teachers of tail issues therefore need to take time to clean the dirt that is inside of them. Good teachers will hold to head issues and model them in their lives.

A word of caution: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:10). 

The message is not that the Bible discourages “teachers” but it cautions them and encourages them to be “good teachers.” Praying that God would increase the tribe of good teachers. I want to be one of them!

All is Well

Is there anyone who would not like, “All to be Well” in their lives? Media has captured this phrase, “All is Well” too well attributing film songs in popular languages in India. Shakespeare has written a play named, “All’s well that ends well.” The lyrics of the Christian version of “All is Well” has powerful words able to encourage a person who has a troubled heart. Well, what is that I have to do for all to be well in my life?

All was Well

Do you know about a king in the Old Testament about whom it was said, “All was well.” His birth was prophesied about 300 years ago(1 Kings 13:1-2) and he was an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:10). He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Most of us relate this good king to the spiritual reforms he did in the nation of Judah. He did purge the nation from idolatry and all other related spiritual evils of that time. But how many of us know that he defended the cause of the poor and the needy and that he was a right and just king? This was the reason in particular that all was well with Josiah in his life time (Jeremiah 22:15-16). Josiah did what God wants us all to do. This is what we have to do for "All to be Well": “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17). “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Josiah did what was right in God’s sight. But Cain was one who did not do what was right. He did not care for his brother. In stark contrast he killed him. So God said to him, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7). James says that not doing good is a sin. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” (James 4:17).

All may be Well

Ephesians 6:2-3 tells that children need to honour their parents so that all might be well for them. The children of Recab, a story least known to most of us, honoured this command for generations because of which God gave them a blessing which is found in Jeremiah 35:19. “Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Jonadab son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me." Does honouring parents apply only to the singe children? “No.” Whether we are single or married, the command of the Bible is to “honour” our parents. Now think about that for a moment. If only people all over the world follow this command, all people are taken care in this world! And “All may be Well” for all.

All to be Well

Pause again. For “All to be Well” in my life, have I have to take care of myself?  The above examples would help us to say a “No.” If I am concerned about the poor and the needy  like Josiah did, if I honour my parents like the children of Jonadab did, God would cause the blessing, “All is Well” in us. If I do not care for my own family, like how Cain did, our lives would be in a mess like that of Cain.

Being saved is one thing. Working out our salvation is all together different.  Isn’t interesting to know that, for “All to be Well” for me with God, I have to see to that, “All others in my horizon are to be kept well”. Finally, hear what God says to us: “Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may “GO WELL” with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23). Why don’t we heed to his word so that all may go well us? 

Consider Creation…

When was the last time you marvelled at creation and stood in awe of the Creator? John Chrysostom mentions a twofold book of God: the book of the creatures, and the book of the scriptures. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, an abbot said: “You will find something far greater in the woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you cannot learn from the masters.” Did not Solomon ask us to go and learn from the ants? (Proverbs 6:6) However, creation in particular has been a powerful apolegetic to the suffering humans in history.

Job, an early patriarch lost his health, wealth, children (who are a gift of God) and wife though she was alive (who is also described in the Bible as a gift of God). His friends were not his friends at all times (unlike the definition of a friend in Proverbs 17:17). A frail and feeble Job, singled out from all human relationships would have expected a soothing word from God. But God neither soothed him nor reasoned out the cause of his suffering (which was already attempted through rounds of talks from his friends). God rather gave a serious lecture to Job in his time of suffering about His creation in four chapters! (39-41). In and through that, God made Job to realize his sovereignty over his creatures. No wonder wise man Job responded point blank to God: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:2-3) It was only when Job realized that God need not reveal his purposes behind all that is happening around, then God restored and blessed him in a double measure than his old prosperous times.

The Israelites were expecting an answer from God regarding the unjust situation going around them. They complained to a God who they thought could not see and hear. They said that their way is hidden from the LORD and their cause is disregarded by their God (Isaiah 40:27). God did not jump to their deliverance, rather asked them to lift their eyes and look to the heavens and think about this: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing (Isaiah 40:26). God continued, saying, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (v.28-29) We do not have a reference to the the reaction of the Israelites. However, we find prophet Isaiah responding. He sees an analogy of a potter in his creator God. He said: “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”(Isaiah 64:8) History records that this prophet who surrendered to the sovereignty of God was considered worthy to die as a martyr for his creator.

Finally, heed to the words of Jesus Christ: Look at the birds of the air and the grass of the field. Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:26-33)

In times of sufferings and worries, God calls us to consider the creation and our creator. Why don’t we consider taking time to enjoy creation and draw our strength from it?

Little Christs

I have heard people of other faith talk about a reincarnation happening in their lives after death. But I am all the more struck by the word “incarnation” in this life, even before I can be bothered about a reincarnation after my life. The first and foremost person who comes to my mind when I think about incarnation is Jesus Christ. “Incarnation” means “in flesh”. The Bible says in John 1:1 about the Word that became flesh. The Word was God. John 1:14 says that Jesus pitched his tent in this earth to live among us. Divine transcended and became human. There is clearly a paradigm shift from the sacred to the secular in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Paul explains further by using a word called Kenosis, which means that Jesus emptied himself of all his heavenly, divine glory. He became a servant to serve human kind (Philippians 2:6, 7).  A classic example of his servant attitude is seen when Jesus took the initiative of washing the feet of his disciples. It is this incarnational attitude of Christ which Paul asks us to follow when he said: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). In other words we become “little christs” to the world. It was Martin Luther who firstly used the word little christ. He tells that little christs would be responsible not only for themselves but for their neighbours too. C. S. Lewis, years later used the same analogy and goes one step ahead reminding the church to produce little christs.

History of the Old Testament has examples of  such“little christs” foreshadowing the incarnational nature of Jesus Christ. It tells about a man who was raised in a royal household who chose to live among ordinary people. He lived as one among the many slaves who lived in the land of Egypt. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of great value than the treasures of Egypt. He persevered and led the slaves to redemption. The author of Hebrews portrays this man, Moses as one who transitioned from royalty to slavery for a greater glory (Hebrews 11:24-27).

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who made a difference in the history of kings. The Bible tells that he walked among the people from Beersheba to Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers (2 Chronicles 19:4). So his kingdom turned to be a kingdom with a difference. There was no distinction of any profession as “sacred” or “secular” in his kingdom. He gave “similar” instructions to the so called secular judges and the levites, priests and heads of Israelite families. He considered all professions as sacred and asked them to do it for the Lord (vs. 5-11). He exhorted them to live a life free from sin. Jehoshaphat was a king who practiced incarnation, breaking barriers of discrimination leading people to redemption.

To become a servant, slave or an ordinary citizen, needs humility and sacrifice from the part of a person who has power and priveleges. In a world where we see people doing all manipulations to become a powerful person, how many would like to forsake a life of luxury and live among the lowly ones? History today is looking for little christs who would follow the steps of Jesus Christ.

It is the humility of Christ found in his incarnation that led to his exaltation as Lord and Saviour. The whole of the Bible attests to the same fact that any humble human being with a Christ-like attitude would eventually be exalted. So let us be incarnational beings and never give up being incarnational at any point in our life.  Let us try to be the hands and feet of Jesus and serve our fellow human beings by choosing to be little christs in our areas of influence. My desire is that we would be little christs that is people with an incarnational attitude and make a difference during our life time!

Voice for the Voiceless

The saddest story in the Bible to me is one about Tamar, a daughter of David which has been recorded in 2 Samuel chapter13. Tamar became a victim of lust to her own half-brother Amnon. To me, it looks like a film story, because I can never ever imagine such a thing happening in reality to a woman. Amnon cheated and raped his sister in the vilest manner. This poor girl pleaded and protested, but in vain. The cruellest part of the story is the way he treated her after that. He hated her more than the mad love he had for her. He did not hear her final plea, but only pushed her out of the house using his servant. The story to me is an illustration of highest forms of arrogance from a male and vulnerability of a female.

The one thing which I hate to read is the way King David, the children’s father reacted to it. He only gets angry, but did not punish Amnon (v.21).  One translation of the Bible says, he did not punish because he was his first born. In my understanding, David was dysfunctional also because of his own lustful and arrogant act with Bathsheba. That shameful episode had just then been over. The rape incident of Tamar  sparked a series of serious fights within David's family. Absalom, the brother of Tamar murdered Amnon in an act of vengeance. This would not have happened if only David had punished Amnon appropriately.  Absalom then went to the extent of killing his own dad and to capture his kingdom. In that wrong pursuit, he himself was killed by the army of David. David’s sons were priestly leaders earlier (2 Samuel 8:18 NRSV). But after David’s reckless attitude in letting loose the lustful Amnon, his sons turned beastly.

Absalom named his own daughter as Tamar, which was what he could do in honour of his sister whose prospective future was lost (2 Samuel 14:27).  Tamar's sad story is a lesson to parents to be role-models to children. Amnon followed the lustful behavior of his dad. If parents keep failing, they keep losing their children. Priestly children can turn beastly when parents loose respect themselves. It is families that make up our society.

Tamar's is a shameful incident which happened to a woman in a royal cadre. Much more is happening to women of all statuses in life today. When these happen we cannot remain silent. We need to work for justice for such victims to prevent vengeance and further damages that can happen in our society. I want to be a voice to the voiceless. Will you be one too?

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (A mother’s teaching to her son in Proverbs 31:8-9)

Can I Disobey God for a Worthy Goal?

Have you ever faced the risk of disobeying God to achieve a worthy goal? I have gone through such difficult circumstances, but have been saved by the sheer grace of God.

Tamar, a woman in the pages of the book of Genesis in the Bible had some worthy goals (chapter 38). She had married, Er, a son of Judah, one of the sons of Jacob.  The Bible records that the Lord put Er to death because he was wicked. The father, Judah proposed his next son, Onan for furthering the family progeny. But Onan cheated Tamar. He too died as a result of divine justice. Now Judah gets panicked, fearing losing his third son, Shelah. So he gives a false hope to Tamar to wait for some time to get married to his third son. As planned Judah never gave Shelah to Tamar. Judah also becomes a widower by then.

Poor Tamar. The men in her life have all failed her. Being a widow and childless made life miserable for her. She wanted to prolong her family progeny at any cost in the same family she got married to. Now that looks like a worthy goal pertaining to the culture of that time. She also wanted to set right the wrongs the men did to her on her own. She disguised herself as a prostitute and tricked Judah and both slept together. Tamar wanted to teach Judah and the male chauvinistic society, a lesson. So, she took the seal, cord, staff of Judah as a pledge, while she was still in disguise.

When the news came that Tamar was pregnant, Judah was the first one to shout, “Burn her.” What a prejudiced society it was then and even now! Did he not commit adultery? Did not Jesus say in a similar situation, “whoever is sinless let them first stone this sinner woman”? Tamar played comedy here. She brought the pledge items and pointed out, “I became pregnant by the man who is the owner of all these.” The good thing about Judah is that he said, “She is more righteous than I.” They never had any relationship after that. I am not for words, full of praise for Tamar because she schemed and executed an unethical shortcut for a seemingly worthy goal. Later in history we learn about another widow and childless woman named, Ruth who unlike Tamar followed the law and culture of the days ethically and achieved a worthy goal.

Interestingly, Matthew chapter one records Jesus as one born in the genealogy of both Judah and Tamar and Ruth and Boaz. There is good news spelled here. We have a Saviour who whispers to us, “Whatever said and done, all that you have to do is to confess your sins and recognize your unrighteousness and sin no more.” 

"No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Prov 28:13 [NRSV])

Finishing Well

In 2006, Floyd Landis performed one of the greatest cycling performances in history. At stage 17 of the Tour de France, Landis smoked his competition as he traversed five mountain passes over the 105 mile course with frightening power. His strength and endurance led him to victory. But after the race, he was disqualified and disgraced for blood doping. Landis finished strong but he didn’t finish well.

Those who did not finish well

In the stories of the Bible I can name a few here who started well, but did not finish well. Saul was God's first choice to be the king of Israel. But he ended his life as a disobedient child of God. Young Solomon built a temple for Yahweh. Old Solomon built temples for other gods and thereafter his kingdom went down the slide. Uzziah started as a powerful and pious ruler of Judah. He died as a leper punished by God for he did things which he should not do (2 Chronicles 26, 27). Judas was one of those twelve disciples whom Jesus loved dearly as friend. But he betrayed Jesus and died in a miserable manner. John 6:66 says about a great number who turned back and did not follow Jesus. Demas proved to be a shallow rooted Christian because he deserted ministry for the sake of the world (2 Timothy 4:10). 

Those who finished well 

In stark comparison of the above mentioned characters were the lives of men and women of God who finished well. There was Samuel whose farewell address in 1 Samuel 12:2-4 is worth reading. People acknowledged Samuel as a man of integrity. There was Simeon, Anna who waited for the Saviour in the Jerusalem temple and finished their races well and rested in peace (Luke 2). Paul’s farewell address in Acts 20:18-21 tells about his life as a man in ministry well-lived. That’s why he could say almost close to his death these words of victory: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

How can I finish well?

Well, all of us have a common goal for our life’s running race. Whether we like it or not we are going to finish it. But death is not the ultimate in the life of a believer. If only the life’s race is finished well, a believer of Jesus gets the reward of living eternally and joyfully in heaven. What is that, that is diverting us from running the race well? If it’s a life of sin we need to look to Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-3 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Following Jesus will help us finish well. Finishing well each day helps us finishing our years well. So at the end of every passing day it is good to ask myself, “Have I finished well?” If not I would brood about it and work on it until I finish my days well.