Initiative

How much would you pay me? Matt:26:15

That was what Judas Iscariot went and asked the leading priests, to betray Jesus. The leaders did not come seeking him. But the initiative to sin was his. He did not fall into the trap. It was his intentional choice to betray his loving Master.

Money was a temptation for him. But the choice to sin was his. Dear one - you would be able to give Him no excuse for your sin. It is always your choice to rebel against Him or not. You can never escape that.

You wouldn't be able to stand before Him and blame circumstances on that day. Joseph didn't budget. He had all the reasons to sin. He was in his master's house. Still he chose to run away. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah too had the circumstances against them. Still they didn't. The apostles had. But they chose to be martyred for the sake of the gospel.

What is your excuse to sin.

Image credit: https://allenbrowne.blog/2021/05/31/thirty-pieces-of-silver/

Comments

For you

They began to spit ------ Beat him with their fists ----- Some slapped him, jeering Matt:26:67-68 It would be humiliating to be spat upon the face. His face would have been fully red out of bruise. A racoon eye probably. It is menial to be made fun off - more menial when people make fun of you disbelieving what you claim or what you really are. Matt:27:26 Jesus was flogged with a lead tipped whip Skin might have shredded to pieces, pieces of muscles torn away, splurting blood everywhere. Pain unable to be described in words. Psalm:129:3 The plowers plowed upon my back. Hematomas everywhere. Anaemic because of the blood loss. Internal organs lacerated. Excruciating pain from the tip of the hair to the toe. Dehydrated. Stinking. Stripped naked and made to walk through the streets in front of the ones you loved, the ones who loved you. Thorns on His brow. Nails driven through the median nerve. Struggling to breath hanging on the cross. He has to pull Himself up to expand ...

Not my will, but yours - a poem

Yes, Jesus was distressed and anguished too He was also grieved to the point of death So it is okay, dear one to be frustrated It might not be as grievous as that of Jesus, but it's fine. But how Jesus handled, that is a lesson for us He did not over react. He did not brood over. He did not vent it over. He did not blame Himself He just prayed - not my will, but yours. How you handle your stress makes you stronger and bolder Either you succumb and grow weaker But face it in faith, and you will grow stronger. Equipping you to face the next one. Ultimate purpose is to be transformed into His likeness Live as Jesus lived. Do as Jesus did. Here how did He handle stress and anguish? Not my will, but yours He prayed. Image credit: https://www.artisor.com/artwork/morgan-weistling/thy-will-be-done/

Plain and true

Mark:1:1-8 John the Baptist preached the gospel - plain and true. v4: He proclaims about repentance and turning to God to be forgiven. v7: He proclaims that Jesus is the only way. Acknowledging my sinfulness is the first step to salvation. By nature I am sinful. By my choices I am sinful. Realisation that I need forgiveness is the next step. And only God can give that. I need to turn to God to be forgiven. And finally Jesus is the only way to reach to God. He is the only way that this forgiveness is practicalised. Once I can approach God, through the forgiveness granted on the cross, of the sinfulness of mine, then the beautiful amazing journey starts. Have you taken this first step? If not, all other efforts are wasted Image credit: https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/what-does-gospel-mean/

Joseph of Arimethea

Joseph of Arimethea had chosen Jesus but was secretly following Him. We never come across him elsewhere in the gospels apart from the time of burial of Jesus. But at that point, he decided to go public. This is the time I should stand up for Jesus to give Him a decent burial- and that is how the prophecies came true. Being a silent follower of Jesus is good. Yes it is between you and God. But openly proclaiming that you belong to Jesus is a different level. It is a higher way of obedience. In your workplace do people know that they cannot mess around you? In your college / school, do people approach you to pray for them? Do people fool around you? Do they hush their conversation when you enter the room? Would your presence make no difference? Do people want to gossip about others to you? The basic question is - Do others know you are a Christian? Do others know you are a child of God? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinf...

Silence

I am often amazed by Jesus' silence on the cross. For all the accusations and false testimonies, how could he keep quiet. There was no " I never said that" or " "for whom am I doing this, why should I go through this for them" or "why don't you understand". Why can't I keep quiet when falsely accused or pointed fingers at? Why should I justify? Will that bring about a change in the situation? Will they stop accusing? Why do you want to defend? More or less because of the pride. To protect our own self. By defending ourself we think our tarnished image would be protected. Learning from Jesus' example is a difficult thing to do. Let the accusers say whatever. As long as you are a child of God. As long as you are loved by Him. As long as you are His beloved. Be secure in His love. Image credit: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/pictures-of-jesus-nails-feet-6723253?lang=eng

The Parable of the ten Bridesmaids

Matt:25:1-13 The foolish ones were not ready with the oil. The wise ones also slept off, but they had the oil. What has been told about Him, beforehand has been proved right. The same book says He is coming back. And when He comes back, will He see you waiting and ready with the oil of Holy Spirit; the oil of faith. Shouldn't the wise ones have shared their oil with the others? Isn't that what Christianity teaches to selflessly share. It doesn't work that way at the last hour when He comes. You have to have your own oil. The wise ones job is to tell the others about the need of the oil when the bridegroom will some day come, in an unexpected time, the need for faith in Jesus before it is too late. The choice is yours. Whether to be on the wise side or the foolish side. Would you keep oil for yourselves before He comes. If not, you would be called foolish, you would be labelled not ready, the door will be closed to you. Do not be foolish. Do not be on the unread...

Not me! Yes me! - A prose

Matt:26:31-35 Do not be overconfident of yourself. Pride tells you that. But humble yourself. Tell yourself that you are prone to fall. Tell that you are not indispensable. Tell that the show will go on even without you. Do not tell yourself that you will not fall that low. Let anyone who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall. 1 Cor:10:12 Peter had full confidence. That night was his fall. All other disciples vowed the same (v:35). But they all fell. Oh! I am strong in that area. The moment you think thus, there begins your downfall. For pride goes before a fall. Why? For God resists the proud. He gives grace to the humble. Oh! I am good at this. I will do it well. The moment you think thus, the roots are nibbled. What can you do without His Spirit. What can you do without His power. Image credit: https://www.bhmpics.com/wallpaper-super-heroes.html

The halfbaked Bard

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