Focus on Jesus

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41-52, NIV)


The gospel of Luke never ceases to thrill or amaze me. This book, written by a Gentile-Christian, narrates the only account of the child Jesus. The account is that of Jesus and His parents' visit to the temple in Jerusalem. On the return trip from Jerusalem, Jesus' parents lose track of Him and that itself is an incident to ponder upon. Joseph and Mary knew that their child, born out of the miraculous conception of the Holy Spirit, was the Son of God. They knew that Jesus was the Messiah and the Salvation of God, and yet they lost track of Him! Note that they were only fulfilling the ordinances of God. Do we lose track of the Lord at times in our lives, especially when we follow God's commands? Food for thought!

Vance Havner once wrote, “Jesus’ parents lost Jesus at church, and they were not the last ones to do so.”

The President

When you enter the assembly places of many denominations and churches of Christ you will see a person occasionally 'calling' people up to the pulpit to pray, sing and preach. This person is often seated away from the assembly or near the pulpit. He is the 'director' or the 'presider'. He is equivalent to the 'master of ceremonies' of the secular world. He is the president, when you look at him you can read the words on his face that says: "I call the shots around here so don't get in my way or you suffer the consequences... my consequences."

My Dorling Kindersley dictionary says that the president is: head of the republic, society, college, public corporation etc. Strange, first of all I thought the church was a kingdom under the kingship of Lord Jesus Christ. The church isn't a republic, it certainly isn't a democracy, where the members have power to elect or appoint substitute 'heads' over them. The headship of Christ over the church is absolute. Looking at these things, I am amazed at how the simplest inventions of man can radically alter organic structure of Christ's body.

In the Old Testament God did appoint priests over the assembly of Israel, but sadly this doesn't justify the inclusion of presidents in the New Testament assembly.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light... (1 Peter 2:9, New American Standard Bible)


When Peter said these words, he didn't address them to any appointed official but towards entire congregations (1 Peter 1.1). It is imperative that we "the called out" maintain the headship of Christ, even in our assemblies. I think Christ has enough power to preside over his congregations than any mere mortal. All we need to do is to trust him. Are you willing to trust Christ as your Presider?

DO GOOD TO ALL

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10, NASB)

What exactly did Christ meant when He said "We should be like the shining light"? The early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith, but that did not stop them from doing good to others. They didn't just care for the fellow believers... they cared for the nonbelievers as well. Here is an excerpt from an article.

Not a few times a plague would sweep through a city, and all the pagans left town immediately, leaving their loved ones to die. That included the physicians. But it was the Christians who stayed behind and tended to their needs, sometimes even dying in the process. (The Missio Dei by Frank Viola)

And here is a quote from an historical source to clear your doubts. In 362 the last pagan emperor, Julian “the Apostate,” wrote to a pagan priest, “For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans [the Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.”

What motivated these Christians to support and care for their pagan neighbors? Perhaps they took the words of Jesus Christ to heart.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you... (Matthew 7:12, NIV)

Ekklesia - part two

A long time ago a girl was found locked up in a bathroom. When she was rescued she was almost a retard. She couldn't speak properly, eat properly, or even walk up straight. All this because her parents had locked her up ever since she was born. Whenever she wanted to step out she would shout, and end up being beaten within an inch of her life. Eventually doctors, examining her, had learnt that her DNA had been altered.

This is the state of the church in our times. Does that statement shock you? Let me explain why I’m writing this.

When Jesus walked the earth two thousand years ago His opponents were men of religion and tradition. These people, the Pharisees, locked up God’s word in a cage – the cage of tradition. Man-made traditions dominated the time in which Jesus lived. The Pharisees had even turned God’s name into a business. They twisted God’s laws and prophecies to keep the people’s attention away from the Christ in scriptures. Jesus became furious at these things and remarked.

… why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? (Matthew 15:3, NIV)

Again and again Jesus, the ultimate Revolutionary, confronted the Pharisees.

‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:7-8, New American Standard Bible)

Little do we realize that these man-made traditions are the very things tearing up the church today. These traditions prohibit Jesus from taking control and encourage men to ‘lord it over the flock'. These traditions create a barrier between believers and labels them ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’. These traditions destroys the beautiful bride of Christ and turns her into a retarded little girl.

Ekklesia - part one

What is the cause of so many divisions in the church today? Is it because of doctrinal issues? You bet! But what if I told you that the real cause is to withhold the supremacy of Christ? Does it surprise you that “not allowing Jesus to dominate” is the real cause of division?

A Christ-centered church is the solution to the problem of divisiveness. A majority of the church believe that unity is not possible. But a minority, including me, believe that it’s possible. Why? The solution is simple!

RESTORE JESUS AS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH

A man-centered church is good for nothing. A Christ-centered church – The Ekklesia – “THE CALLED OUT” – is just what we need. The church is a body- a living being- able to function naturally under the Brain. The Brain is Christ – only He alone has the capability to direct all the members of the body. The left hand cannot make the right hand work and the right leg cannot make the left leg work. Cut off the head and you have a lifeless body. Cut off Jesus and you have a spiritually dead body – A dead church – A moving decapitated ghoul!

Read these words of Jesus to the Ephesian church:

"I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out.
"But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!
"Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.

- (REVELATION 2:2-5, MSG)

Putting Jesus aside is a sin of the gravest nature. The Ephesian church was found guilty of this and Christ commanded them to repent or suffer the consequences.

THE AWESOME LORD JESUS

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
(Matthew 17:1-9, New American Standard Bible)

Someone told me recently that a movie without special effects is not worth watching at all. The epic "Lord of the Rings" was written sometime during the 1950s, and interestingly it took Hollywood more than fifty years to come up with a movie that truly visualizes the book's splendor.

Let us rewind more than three thousand years to the time of ancient civilizations. Egypt was one of the most powerful empires of the entire world. The Hebrews - God's chosen people - fleeing from the wrath of the Egyptian Pharaoh and the enormous Red Sea stood in their way. Picture this in your mind, the prophet Moses, with God's indescribable power, dividing the waters of the Red Sea. Just imagine the Hebrews walking between the seas, the children looking at the colorful creatures of water like excited children looking at aquariums. It boggles the mind, doesn't it?

Let me tell you that the glorious riches in our Lord Jesus Christ exceed even the miracle at the Red Sea. Our Lord Jesus is glory personified. Jesus reigns in heaven at the side of the Father. He is the ‘King of Kings’ and Lord of all. The Prophet Isaiah prophecies about the birth of Jesus and in that prophecy he tells us who exactly Jesus is.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6, New American Standard Bible)

When Jesus was transfigured the apostles were ‘terrified’ (Mark 9:6). Such was the glory of the eternal King, and His powers are still the same today. It is humbling to know from the Bible that this King became meekness personified and lived as the Son of Man – a servant on earth. It is humbling to know that this King talked and ate with people, who like us, were not even worthy to enter into the presence of the Lord. It is humbling to know that this King suffered the most gruesome death any mortal could just so that you and I may be reconciled to God like a lost son to a happy father (Luke 5). It is humbling to know that this King came back from the dead so that He may impart His Spirit into you and me. It is a humbling experience to be used by the King for the greater glory of His kingdom – which is the image of the Triune God on earth.

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
(Revelation 1:12-18, New American Standard Bible)

One day we too, like John, will see the Lord’s blazing countenance and we will all fall at His feet like ‘dead people’. But out Lord is a loving and compassionate Lord. He says, “Do not be afraid.” What a Savior! In this time of church politics and power struggles, don’t you think that we should restore Jesus as the one true King of His Kingdom and as the only Head of His body? Remember that He will be victorious on the final day. Amen.

Why can't we see God?

The question arises to many skeptics - 'Why can't we see God?' True, if God does exists then why can't we see Him? With this is mind, let us think about some things. For example, If we do see God there wouldn't be any reason to worship Him by choice. We wouldn't worship Him by our own will knowing that He's right there, above us, watching our every step. Faith would not be necessary.
We do know that God created each person with an individual will - the power of choice. It's more like - God wants us to worship Him by choice. God didn't create us like robots or mindless slaves. He created us and gave us all wonderful minds - logic, ethics, reason - by which we can figure out His very existence. Above all things, He gave His Word - The Bible. And He gave His only begotten Son for our sins.
Remember Jesus once said: "Blessed are those who have not seen but yet believe."