The halfbaked Bard

I have come to save this world and not to judge it. Jn:12:47 When Jesus came the first time, He came with an arm of salvation. Anyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life. But when He comes the second time, He is coming with an arm of judgement.  All who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgement by the truth I have spoken. Jn:12:48 If you receive His arm of salvation, you wouldn't have to receive His arm of judgement.  Rom:8:1. Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The equation is very simple. Either you are for Him, or you're against Him. And those who are with Him will stand with Him in glory; redeemed. Those who are against Him will be pushed into eternal separation; condemned. Your eternity is determined by your brief time in this earth. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/time-watch-clock-hours-9352/

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Jn:12:25 A selfless living. To leave everything and follow Jesus. You can also be a disciple clinging on to your own life. But that wouldn't be the abundant life He promised. Letting go of the very things which gives priority to you - that is the key to all the struggles you face. Then there would be no ego. Then there would be no pressure to perform. Then there would be no hurts. A carefree living concentrated fully on bringing glory to God. It sounds impossible. But you say O Lord, that nothing is impossible for you. I pray O Lord that I would leave everything that entangles me and follow you. Image courtesy: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=disentangle

Jn:11:33. When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled. Why was Jesus angry? Out of all emotions, in a grieving family, why was He angry?  He was angry at the plight of man. At the fallenness of man. He was angry with the consequence of sinfulness. His anger comes out of His love to him. Seeing his helplessness. But because of what happened on the cross, now this helpless man can ask - Where O death is your sting? Where O hell is your victory? We have come out victorious. Yes we are more than conquerors. If through our big brother, we have overcome the greatest consequence, how much more the petty hurdles that come our way, if the same Jesus is with us. Image credit: https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/how-dangerous-is-the-steeplechase/

I am the resurrection and the life. Jn:12:25 Who can claim this? I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me will live even after they die. I am the life. Everyone who believes in me will never die. Through Me alone, Jesus claims, you will resurrect one day. But more importantly, the new, eternal, abundant life in you will continue in you even if you physically die. Right on the cross, we have Jesus echoing this to the sinner who just believed. You will be with me in paradise today. If you believe. Just believe. Not evidentially. Not circumstantially. But just believe, then this life that is promised is yours forever. Eternal life is not something you will get once you die and reach the other shore. Eternal life is now, as you believe in Jesus. Physical death is just a stepping over to a fullness that Jesus promised. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=baby+shadow+dark

Jn:11:5. So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days. What kind of love is this? Though He loved them, He did not answer their request. Why because a greater glory was awaiting. Martha would make a statement of confession later, which would save her soul. Martha who was focussed on many things, now knew the one thing that is required. Mary would know the real purpose of Jesus and anoint His body for burial later. Many people who were with Mary would believe in Him. Lazarus would be called out from death. And through these all, the Father will be glorified. Why delays? Why so called unanswered prayers? Why God seems so far away? Why is He not seemingly hear my prayers? All for the glory of God alone. Delays are not denials. Wait doesn't mean No. Why don't we then wait patiently? It is difficult to wait during that waiting period. But let us wait expectantly. Sure of the truth that we are in the center of God's pa...

I and the Father are one. Jn:10:30 What a reassuring claim of the diety of Jesus. People say Jesus never claimed to be God. But is this not enough? By claiming to be one with God the Father, He claims to be God. Through the I am statements He made, He claims to be equal with the Yahweh God. But He did not consider this equality as something to be grabbed and kept for Himself. But He humbled Himself to obedience unto death on the cross, so that we would also be seated there with Him. It is this what we need to believe. That Jesus is God. But He became like us because He loved us so much. Loved me so much. So that I would benefit from His glory. So that I would be with Him for eternity. He paid the penalty of the sin that I was to suffer, so that I could be redeemed. It is true for me. I believe. Do you?  Believing Him to be a good person, or a good teacher is not enough. Believing Jesus is God Himself who is the only way to the Father is what makes the difference. If thi...