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?