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Friday, April 18, 2025

When Power is measured by Love!

Narratives of power, conquest, victory, accomplishmens, achievements, ownerships are celebrated. The unmatching event of Good Friday is widely observed and commemorated all over the world different from these narratives. Religion rarely points to god, because it limits to rituals and customized religious practices. The atonement of sin in religious settings underscores certain practices like holy dip in a river, giving to charity, visiting shrines etc.

Here the story of Christ Jesus is stunning yet exudes humility and extravagant demonstration of love. Jesus showed immense power by the act of love. He was compassionate enough to touch and heal the lepers, reached out to social outcast, healed the sick, lame, blind and every kind of stubborn illnesses. All of this is measured by His act of Love. Even today, prayers are changing lives and bringing extraordinary miracles. Atonement for sin is made easy because of his sacrifice on the cross of calvary. Anyone who believes in Him and confesses His sin, receives forgiveness, freedom from all guilt and a hope to live with freedom.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, typically observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. In 2025, it falls on April 18. The day is marked by solemn rituals, fasting, and prayer in churches worldwide, reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice, which Christians believe atoned for humanity’s sins.

The term “Good” might seem paradoxical given the event’s gravity, but it has historical and theological roots. One explanation traces it to an older English usage of “good” meaning holy or pious, as in “Good Tide” for Christmas. Thus, Good Friday signifies a holy day. Theologically, many Christians view it as “good” because Jesus’ death is believed to have fulfilled a divine plan for salvation, paving the way for resurrection and eternal life—celebrated on Easter. For example, John 3:16 in the Bible, underscores this sacrifice as an act of divine love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Not all traditions use the term “Good.” In German, it’s Karfreitag (Sorrowful Friday), and in some Eastern Orthodox churches, it’s called Great and Holy Friday, emphasizing mourning over triumph. Regardless, the day’s significance lies in its role within the Easter narrative, balancing sorrow with the anticipation of redemption.

The truth is that Jesus is not only documented in the eye-witness testimony compiled in the New Testament, but He is mentioned as a historical person by several non-Christian sources within 150 years of His life. From those sources, we can learn 10 things about Jesus without even opening a Bible out of which few I brought it for your reference. I am referring this from an article written by Alisa Childers on “The Historical Facts About Jesus From Non-Christian Sources”:

He was known to be wise and virtuous.

This fact was reported by Jewish Historian Josephus, who was born around AD 37. In his Antiquities of the Jews, he reports: “At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good, and [he] was known to be virtuous.”

He was known to perform miracles.

Celsus was a 2nd-century Greek philosopher and a fierce opponent of Christianity. In what is known to be the first comprehensive intellectual attack on Christianity, he tried to resolve why Jesus was able to perform miracles. The story is wild—but the main point is that by trying to explain away the miracles of Jesus, he is inadvertently affirming that they happened:

“Jesus, on account of his poverty, was hired out to go to Egypt. While there he acquired certain powers which Egyptians pride themselves on possessing. He returned home highly elated at possessing these powers, and on the strength of them gave himself out to be a god.”

He was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

This fact comes to us from one of the most trusted historians of the ancient world. Cornelius Tacitus was born in AD56 and served as a respected senator and proconsul of Asia under Emperor Vespasian. He wrote a history of the first century Roman Empire, which many historians consider to be the “pinnacle of Roman historical writing.” He notes:

“Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus.”

Josephus confirmed: Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die.

He had many Jewish and Gentile disciples.

Josephus wrote: “And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon discipleship.”

He lived during the time of Tiberius Caesar. Julius Africanus also reported that another ancient historian, Phlegon, confirmed the darkness at the time of Jesus’s death and that Jesus was alive “in the time of” Tiberius Caesar:

“Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth.”

His disciples believed that He rose from the dead.

In his commentary regarding the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ death, Josephus recorded: “[Jesus’ disciples] reported that He had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion; and that he was alive….”. Bible records He appeared to more than 500 people in different occasion.

His disciples believed He was God, and they met regularly to worship Him.

Pliny the Younger lived from AD 61-113 and was an influential lawyer and magistrate of ancient Rome. In a letter to Emperor Trajan he wrote: “They [Christians] were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.”

His disciples were willing to suffer and die for their beliefs.

The persecution and suffering of early Christians was recorded by Suetonius, the official secretary of the Roman Emperor Hadrian around AD 121. He documented that they were expelled from Rome in AD 49 by Claudius: “Because the Jews at Rome caused constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (Christ), he expelled them from Rome.”

Today, you have the greatest opportunity to find the truth and life and most importantly the remission of sins. All that it needs is an open mind to read the Bible and find the truth and compare with history this greatest event that has the power to transform your life and usher in a life of hope and confidence.

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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Sunday, April 13, 2025

Don’t Play It Safe!

‘Play it safe’ ideology is used to assess the risk and protect oneself from danger or undesired circumstances. However, the decisions based on this ideology can point more towards self-centered decisions. We often forget we are interdependent and exist in a community which is divided by ethnicity, race, religion, status, power, color, etc. Those factors that concerns us becomes our priority and the ‘us’ usually includes, self, family, relatives and to some extent friends. Unfortunately, today, even the “us” has been affected because of selfishness and greed for money.

There is an incident in the Bible where a lawyer meets Jesus with a question about eternal life and its qualifier. We notice in the conversation that Jesus summarizes all the laws into two greatest commandments which said, to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and then to love his neighbor as himself. Immediately the lawyer shoots another question asking, “who is my neighbor”? In response to this lawyerly attempt at self-justification. Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, I want you to follow the parable: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite ( A Levite is a person who is a descendant of the Tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Bible, meaning they are considered to have a special religious role within Judaism, primarily serving as assistants to the priests in the Temple), when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan (the Samaritans are a religious group of people who practice Samaritanism, a faith similar to Judaism. They are primarily based in Israel), as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’”

After Jesus narrated the parable to the Lawyer Jesus asked, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” to which the lawyer said, “He who showed mercy on him.”. Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.’. When it comes to the matter of compassion, kindness and showing mercy, playing it safe is detestable to God. This Samaritan went out of the way to help someone who is battling for life. He spent his money, time and energy to take care of someone suffering. He did not play safe. In the book of Proverbs written by king Solomon found in the Bible he points out a moral and ethical standard about an important issue. He says, ‘Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? Well, I am not referring to always look to do something serious. There are many who are suffering and battling with issues of life that are leading to frustration and despondency. In many cases though we know it, we want to walk like strangers forgetting God is noticing our heart and the intent of it. The. Bible says, ‘He weighs our heart’. We may play it safe, but it is displeasing to the Lord God. The love and kindness is a matter of heart that needs the Savior to transform our heart and make someone who is not just a good person but one who is not playing it safe.

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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Sunday, April 6, 2025

Missing a Strange Connection!

Missing someone is usually associated with having some kind of connection with that person. The connection can be close or distant, living or dead. The emotion associated with missing someone comes from a longing for their presence in your life, not necessarily from the familiarity of a voice or touch. From a spiritual perspective, missing someone you’ve never met can be seen as an expression of the soul’s longing for connection and love. This longing is not limited to physical connection or interaction, but is rooted in a deeper, spiritual dimension of our being.

The heart longs always, including for non-living things. Emotions are powerful and yearns to establish a connection. But most of the time the human connections are limited and wears off soon. However, people continue to miss whom their heart chooses to reciprocate love. Children for example, after reading the fairy tales or watching a cartoon movie wish to meet their favorite character, in person. But then, while they grow, they realize the absurdity of imagining fictional characters as a true person. What we miss can truly matter if whom we miss happens to be a truly important and integral part of human life.

When it comes to religion, we often don’t miss gods, because we have carved idols or an image in our homes to worship. People like to use religious stories and character to celebrate festivals. Rituals and religious practices are in abundance. Most of the god characters are pompous, which people flaunt about. When it comes to power, we like to celebrate but when it comes to love we long to surrender.

Augustine writes in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” This is perhaps one of Augustine's most often quoted phrase which captures something that resonates deep within the human person. Restlessness is that desire to be filled and fulfilled. For this to happen we need a true, living God with whom we can have a relationship. Allow me to introduce Jesus to you.

An incident from the Bible refers to the disciples of Jesus who were witnessing His amazing miracles, healing people from chronic illness and raising people from dead. Philip, one of Jesus' disciples, asked, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus responded by saying, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father". The disciples were longing to see God and to establish a relationship with God the father. Probably because Jesus claimed “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”. Only after Jesus died and resurrected exactly the way He said, people truly believed taking the good news around the world. They were martyred for their faith. Whether you know Jesus or yet to know Him, this longing and desire to know something which is transcendental will leave you restless until you know the God who is full of love and compassion assuring hope for your life here and for eternity. You cannot replace the longing with anything else. You will continue to miss Him because Jesus is the Lord of your heart and life.

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

That One Thought!!

We are inundated with powerful suggestions through the day that our mind tends to cling on to one or more. The more we cling on to the thought it becomes a powerful force overtime. Its bends our will to surrender to it. These powerful thoughts can be triggered by a movie, relationships, money earned by wicked means and so on. How are we dealing with them?

It just takes that one thought which can occupy our empty mind. We try to distract ourselves but once the mind is free, it floods our mind more powerfully that before. It hides in our sub-conscious and keeps nagging us. Our idle mind nourishes it and cherishes it to the point that it becomes a full-grown monster that reveals itself as murder, rape, embezzlement, scam, etc.

The Bible gives a good narration of the state of an idle mind, “woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.”. It all boils down to the power of that person. Usually, the decision to execute plays out, unless the person makes a firm, conscious decision to avoid acting on his/her thought. Thoughts are powerful and can ruin a person if unattended. Replacing with positive good thoughts or religious chanting does get rid of them, though in the initial period it may look so.

If you are a person who is captive to that one or more of such thoughts and needs to break free, then you would need to address the source of the thought. You cannot avoid circumstances. But you can train you heart to filter and keep you free from any evil ensnaring thought. Jesus diagnosed the problem and stated this, “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man…”. If you read further Jesus confirmed the daily rituals has no impact on such issue. Today, people practice anything as part of the traditional rituals and use many mental therapies to free from such captivity. It looks promising in the beginning but fails overtime. When you see your heart as a temple where God can live in it then you get an entirely different perspective. The Bible states, that we are the temple of the living God, Christ Jesus who lived, died and was resurrected. The spirit of God wants to abide in our hearts if we keep it holy which is possible when we surrender our thoughts, the battle of our mind and the cry of the heart. He will deliver us from the ensnaring thoughts and help us to live a life of freedom.

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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Sunday, March 23, 2025

When Both Ends Rarely Meet!

The rich and the poor equally struggle to keep the balance and maintain the equilibrium of satisfaction. Any person, on planet earth, if given various options, would choose wealth, and that too in excess. The poor assume about rich and vice versa. Unfortunately, both are wrong in their perception of each other because both are comparing satisfaction based on money and material things. Thus, our thought processes never meet. Usually, all are desperate to make it big and find satisfaction with the money they dream about. I like what actor Jim Carey talks about all who dream to be rich. “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”. Jim was honest enough to experience and state that there isn’t an answer in making big money and reaching the top.

Rich and poor are struggling to find solution and satisfaction out of money. While the poor struggle to make ends meet, the rich struggle with excessive money and that its the end solution to all the challenges faced. The rich soon finds that he has multiple options to replace and quickly changes anything which doesn’t fit his expectations. He assumes he has the power to try all that his heart desires and eyes want. Everything looks for him as a commodity and since he has the purchasing power the rich assumes he will ultimately make it. The poor on the other hand compares himself with the rich and desperately tries to reach there. The daily struggle of life poses several challenges and threats for which he assumes money to be the only answer to all of life’s problem. Rarely one comprehends that it is not the answer. In this process God and parents are blamed, opportunities are missed and feeling of being lost sets in overtime. The common commodity - money is chased but the most important common factor - God is ultimately ignored.

Too often, when answering questions on people’s life problems, we give them something other than their finances, we give them the best budgeting plans we know of. If they are working through relational discord, we teach them communication techniques. If they are struggling with doubt, we challenge them to just believe promising that all will get better if they do. But we fail to give them Jesus.

What do you think rich, and poor have in common? King Solomon in his observation recorded in the book of proverbs in the Bible states, “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all” (Prov. 22:2). The gist of the proverb is both rich and poor live side by side in this life and are part of the order of God’s creation. The sovereign God of the universe providentially superintends all creation, and nothing escapes His eye. “The earth belongs to the Lord and all that is in it”(Bible). We are tenants on this earth, and stewards of all that God has given us. The maker and creator of this universe knows all our challenges and wants His people to depend on Him. Jesus is the answer to all problems. He is not a mythological figure but a living God who lived among mankind and rose from dead. He promises to come back again that those who believe in Him and accept Him will find all answers here and in the eternity to come.

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

When it Hurts!

Prosperity, richness, wealth, luxuries may be far-fetched for some of us, but pain is common to all shattering the boundaries of social status, wealth status, caste status, etc. The problem with pain is that its never ending. The solutions to solve it may differ and increases our ability to customize it to our situation when it gets prolonged. All of us are not fully equipped to handle pain perfectly or have the resources to overcome it. Blessings to mitigate pain can come in different ways like having sufficient financial resources, a caring family and friends or having great connections.

Pain is not exclusively physical but also mental and emotional. C S Lewis in his book “The problem of pain” states, “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken.”. Personally, I have gone through a situation which was beyond human help and needed divine intervention. I sought the almighty Jesus Christ to help eliminate this pain that was hurting me a lot. By His grace, He helped me. Right now, the crisis that your facing may be unmanageable. It’s a call that you find your identity in your Creator.

Usually there are three aspects of control in a painful situation. They are a. Direct control, b. Indirect control, and c. No control. We are familiar with the first two but having “No control” is what takes its toll on us. However, we fail to understand that this is the most blessed state where we can learn to totally depend on God and trust Him wholly. I trust on God who has dealt with the greatest problem of human life, i.e. death. I am referring to Jesus who is the only one who conquered death by His resurrection from the grave and known to be the resurrected Savior. My relationship with Him is beyond a religious identity. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is a risen, living God who lives in our hearts making us His temple. This God who adorns this temple has answers to solve the problem of our pain. All He expects is to look to Him for help. Apostle Paul in one of His books in the Bible states confidently, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”. It is this glorious hope that assures us that we are not abandoned in any painful situation, that Jesus is actively helping us through the pain. King David in the Bible acknowledges God in his situation and this is what he had to say which is so relevant. “Lord when you showed your favor, you made me stand like a strong mountain…”

Whatever may be the painful mountain of problem you are facing, my friend, don’t lose heart. Jesus is not an imaginary God or a God of mythical characters but a God of history and redemption for mankind. All you need to do is call upon Him and express your pain. Apostle Paul once again states, “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”. The secret lies in the persistent calling upon God which is called prayer. He is not a God on a photo or statue to be worshipped but a living God as described in the Bible. Would you like to know more about Him?

Click to read the previous blog HERE

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