The halfbaked Bard

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...

I am the good shepherd Jn:10:11 The only characteristic of the good shepherd is that He lays down His life for the sheep. He loves the sheep so much. That He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on the cross. He willingly lays down His life so that those whom He loves can be with Him for eternity. He calls them His children. Rebels as they were He made them His children, made them seated on the right hand side of the Father. And He is concerned of other sheep, who are not in His pen. He longs to bring them also in.  Undeserving as we are, He gave us the privilege. In this context read further;  The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Eventhough I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepar...

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. Jn:10:9 'The' is definitive - which means the only. For salvation, Jesus is the only way. Anyone who enters through Jesus shall be saved from eternal bondage and slavery that they are stuck in. And only though Jesus. All others are like thieves and robbers who have come to steal kill and destroy. But in Jesus there is fullness of life - abundant life. All others give priority to rituals. But Jesus says only believe. All others say to do certain things. But Jesus says I have already done. Listen to His voice and follow. Knowing your beloved's voice. There is fullness of life in Him. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=sheep+gate

One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see. Jn:9:25 No matter what explanations stand against the historical evidence, whether Jesus existed or not!  No matter what explanations hold against Jesus' claim of His diety and His manhood! Born of a virgin. Did so many miracles. Died and rose again on the third day. Only one thing matters. I was blind. Now I see.  Personally the bard's experience with the living Jesus, sustains his faith and hope in Him. Though the bard knows, historically all His claims are prophesies come true and whatever has been testified about Him in the Bible is true and authentic, more important is the fact that, the bard has personally experienced Jesus on a daily basis. That is enough. Not to be logically and scientifically be convinced. But to personally believe. That is the strongest testifier. That Jesus is alive. Seated on the right hand side of the Father. Continually working in you and through you and for you. To be honest Jesus is w...

It was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Jn:9:3 Who do you reflect? Whose work do you display? Bitterness, hatred, lack of love, unforgiveness, lack of joy, displays the work of the enemy. Selfcenteredness, motive of self gain shows the character of devil. God's character do you display? Unconditional love, love those who hate you, loving your enemies, considering others better than yourself. These are far from us. Why?  We are still influenced by the world than the Word. We spend more time with the futile than the eternal. The Eternal God is still a distant destiny to be achieved, not a present reality to be indulged. There is no intimacy with the Father who longs to fellowship with you. Image credit: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lunar-orbiter-1/

Jn:8:32. You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Anyone who sins is a slave to sin. No amount of determination or will power can pull him out of that slavery. Man can only do sin and acts of rebellion because of his inherent mutation and fallenness. It is from this slavery that Jesus has come to set us free. Jn:8:24 Unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins. Believing Jesus to be God Himself is the first step to freedom. Otherwise we will die in our slavery.  Freedom promises desire and ability to come out of that slavery. This freedom promises true deliverance both in the heart and in deeds. A fruitful relationship with the Son enables and equips you to elude from the sin that easily ensnares. There is true freedom if you believe. Image credit: https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/the-false-god-of-absolute-freedom/

I am the light of the world Jn:8:12 The world is in darkness. And Jesus is the light. He is the solution to the brokenness of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you have the light that leads to life. You being in this dark world, are walking in darkness. To come out of this, is to follow Him. To listen to Him, who is the light. If you follow Him, there won't be any need for you to continue to gropple in darkness, because you have the light. Your path is clear. Your decisions will be sure. Your choices will be obvious. All directed towards one thing - the Father God. Not your self satisfying, self gratifying rat race that the world is after. Image credit: https://centeredonchrist.substack.com/p/what-did-jesus-mean-by-you-are-the-b88

Go and sin no more. Jn:8:11 Jesus came not to condemn you of sin; but to forgive. The woman caught in adultery did not deny her sin. She admitted. Therefore she went forgiven. What about the man involved? Where is he in the picture? He has never admitted that he wronged. Therefore he went unforgiven. He thinks he has escaped; he has fooled everyone. But the truth is - she remains forgiven; and he unforgiven. The instruction that Jesus gives after the forgiveness is to go and lead a life without sin. To lead a pure life. To take sin seriously and evade from it. How do you approach sin? Conceal it and you will remain unforgiven. Admit it and confess it, you will be forgiven. Once forgiven, avoid it and lead a pure life. Image credit: https://christourhope.blog/2020/01/31/lust-1-corinthians-618/amp/

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. Jn:7:38 This promise is about those who are thirsty, and they come to Jesus. They can come to Him only as a result of two realisations. 1. That they are thirsty. 2. That (only) He can quench their thirst. And as a result, not only would they be satisfied, but they would be a channel of quenching for others, who desire to come to Him. Rivers of living water will flow from him. The Holy Spirit will overflow though him. Out of the filling that he has received Do I desire the quenching only Jesus can offer?  Do I desire the filling and overflowing of the Holy Spirit?  Do I become a channel of peace for others? Do I point to Jesus, the source? Whether you realise it or not, whether you desire it or not, rivers of living water will flow from your heart. This is a definitive, affirmative promise of Jesus. The old has gone, the new has come. You are a new creation. You are a channel of blessing. God doesn't do mistakes. He w...

Jn:7:1-36 Jesus was teaching with authority about the Father. Because He came from the Father. But others didn't believe Him. Because they couldn't look and see beyond the surface. They saw Him as the carpenter's son. Even His brothers did not believe Him. They were biased, pre occupied and judgemental. That is why some called Him a good man; some a fraud (because they knew where He came from, and He claimed to come from somewhere else), some called Him demon possessed; some asked - could He be the Messiah. Jesus invites you to a deeper relation with Him, to know Him deeper. Not a superficial smattery way of relation. A lively, lovely ongoing heart to heart relation. Then you will understand Him more. A superfluous, shallow relation will take you nowhere. Image credit: https://www.shopify.com/stock-photos/photos/rocks-in-the-shallow-waters

Jn:6:63 Human effort accomplished nothing. It echoes with the very thing that Jesus is about to say in Jn:15:5- Apart from me, you can do nothing. No matter however hard you try, you cannot stop hating someone and start loving. No matter however hard you try, you cannot exercise faith on your own. No matter however hard you try, you cannot start a good habit. Unless the Lord accomplishes. Even having a desire for Godliness is not something which you can fashion in your heart on your own. The Lord has to do it. Yes. Every good and perfect gift is from God the Father. He who began a good work in you shall carry it on to completion until the day of the coming of Christ. We just have to align ourselves with His heart. Tune yourself to the symphony that He is playing. Then you will know what is the direction of the flow of His heart. And you just place yourself in it. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/thoughtful-man-doing-paperwork-at-table-in-dark-room-7063743/

Jn:6:35. I am the Bread of Life. The first of the I am statements of Jesus. "I am" reflects the name of God. Bread is something to be eaten, to be internalised. So, unless you internalised the very nature of God, eternal life is far from you, says the Son. His very nature is to be consumed and internalised, so much so that it becomes your very nature. His love, His patience, His kindness, so that He would be reflected perfectly. Any other things that you try to do, would not satisfy you, would not quench your longing. This gives abundant life, life to the fullest, as He promised. Image courtesy: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/perfect-sandwich-bread

John:6:29 This is the only work God wants from you; Believe in the One He has sent. Do not think that God expects that you do great things for Him. Not miracles, not healing, not preaching, not even bringing more people to Him, pleases Him concerning you. In the overall realm, heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. But concerning you, the only work that God wants from you is just to believe in Jesus, the Son. Not a once in a lifetime belief - but on a day to day basis, during your crisis. Just trust. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus expected the disciples to trust in Him, when He was about to feed the five thousand and He assures them - I am here, when they were terrified as they see Him walking on water. For all I should trust Him, no matter what comes my way. That pleases Him. He is enough. He is there. Image credit: https://in.nec.com/en_IN/career/jobs-at-NEC.html

Jn:5:31-47 Jesus says there are five things that can testify to Him. 1. He Himself - not valid. Though He was sure of who He is - it is not relevant. But He has said N number of times, He is the Son of God. 2. Someone else - John the Baptist. Though He says He doesn't need human witness, John was like a burning and shining lamp. 3. His teachings and miracles - testify that these are the works that the Father sent Him to do. 4. The Father Himself has testified. If you do not hear His message in your hearts, it is because you do not believe. Have you hardened your heart?  5. Scriptures point to Jesus. Prophesies have come true. These are all there. Still if you don't believe, it is your fault. May be you have put your trust in Him, once and for all. [ If you have not; then now is the time]. But have you trusted in Him on a daily basis?  Image credit: https://www.rmkfirm.com/what-is-role-of-witness-in-court

I can do nothing on my own. Jn:5:30 This is not a statement of a helpless man. But of Jesus Himself. The Son of God. God Himself. This doesn't reflect His helpless state. But that, His will was so aligned with the will of the Father, that made Him say - I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my will (later in the last part of the same verse). In the garden of Gethsamene, He echoes the same thought - not my will but Yours. Jesus knew that He had come to do the Father's will. Not His own. As I said, it was not out of helplessness. Infact He was so focussed that He did not want any other will. Anything apart from the will of the Father, He did not want. How tuned are you, to God's will in your life? Whether you eat or drink, do it for the glory of God. Anything apart from this is hamartos. Am I sensitive to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit? So much that I will do only what the Father desires. How foolish of me to bring God to the center of my will...

Jn:5:24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have passed from death into life. Once you believe in God through the Son, it is promised that you will have eternal life, you will never be condemned and you have passed from the death to the life. These are definitive, affirmative statements. Have. Will never be. Have passed. There is no possibility that you might not when Jesus says this. There is one hundred percent surity. Are we living with this assurance? We would never lose our salvation, we would never dwindle between death and life, provided we have been saved truly. When Christ died for us on the cross, He died for all our sins, which were done in the past, in the present and in the future. All our sins are covered by His blood. Does that mean, that I have the license to sin? No matter what I do, my sins are all covered? Can we sin, so that grace may ...

My Father is always working; so am I. Jn:5:18 Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Jn:5:19 Infact the Father will show Him, how to do even greater works. Jn:5:20 The Father has life in Himself and He has granted the same life giving power to His Son. Jn:5:26 Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. Jn:14:12 The Father and I are one. Jn:10:30 And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads you into all truth. Jn:14:16-17 You see the sequence of events? The Father has a will and He is executing it. The Son does the Father's will. And because He rose up from the dead and is living even now and because He has sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit to His beloved children, we are called to do the Father's will. See, we are called to do a greater purpose. A greater life. Not a mediocre one.  Are you just pushing...

Do you want to get well? Jn:5:6 To the specific question that Jesus asked, the invalid is beating around the bush. When He is willing to do a supernatural miracle, the man expresses logicality. Let God do what He is good at. Expect unexpected things from God. Those are not unnatural for Him. That is faith. Believing that God can do anything. Nothing is impossible for Him. He need not walk in human's pathway. He is not limited to man's perspective. He is beyond that. Being His child it is our privilege to wait to expect Him to work that way. Image courtesy: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-man-in-a-field-of-bushes-with-a-stick--YhAwRDPjoc

Jn:4:43-54 The government official wanted Jesus to come and heal his son and he wanted Him to come then itself for the boy was very sick. But Jesus said - Go back home, your son will live. And he just believed and went back home. The moment Jesus said that, fever left him. The man simply believed. No traditional background. No previous experiences. Not according to his own plan. But his faith made his son well. The son had a believing father. The paralysed man had four believing friends.  Whose faith- aide are you? They wouldn't be able to believe, because they are in the midst of suffering. But will you have faith? Not that your faith will save them. But you be steadfast in faith. You continue to intercede for them. You tell words of faith to them. You bring them to Christ. You pray with them. You be instrumental in instilling faith in them. I believe. Image credit: https://blog.businessglu.com/reaching-out-with-a-p-u-s-h/

My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing His work. Jn:4:34 What is your driving force?  What gives you a dopamine rush?  What gives you energy to move on? For Jesus it was doing the will of the Father, who sent Him and finishing the work He was sent to do. Be it convincing an outcast woman to tell her own city, that she has found the Messiah. Be it healing fever, or blindness, or lameness. Be it sleeping in the open. Do you grade your work for God? Oh! Just because I could only wash the dishes and not give a message today doesn't mean I am not useful for the Kingdom. God doesn't categorise people by the work they do. But He sees the heart with which they do the task given to them. Am I doing it cheerfully? Or is there a list of complaints? Image credit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-hypnosis/202402/3-activities-to-beneficially-release-dopamine/amp

John:3:27 No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. This dictum if we inscribed in our hearts would ease up our lives. John was losing on his followers. His disciples were complaining. But John was sure - I am only here to prepare the way for Him. He is the bridegroom, and the joy of the bride is to join the bridegroom. The bestman is simply glad to stand with him. This is the solution for all forms of jealousy. There is no need to compare your walk with his/hers. No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. Which means no one can have something which God has taken away from him. Closed doors always lead to paths which are not destined for you. Do not force it open. Open doors lead to paths which God has planned for you. Walk in it. May God open our eyes and equip us to see God's hands in our lives. To see closed doors as God given opportunities to say no as well. Above all has He not promised that He will be with you till the very end...

No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. Jn:3:3 Born again as told by Jesus to Nicodemus means being born of the baptism of repentance and being born of the Spirit. A new life. A new creation. The old has passed. The new has come.(v5) Born again means believing that the Son of Man, a term Jesus uses for Himself, quoting the prophet Daniel, as for the Messiah, is the only way to eternal life (v15) Born again is believing that the Father God, loved me so much, that He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for my sin, that I may have eternal life (v16) Born again is loving the light more than the darkness. The darkness is normally loved by others. But light I love. It is an about turn. And as I walk, I am willing to be cleansed by the light, as my sins are more exposed and desire to walk continually in the light. (v21) Image credit: https://stockcake.com/i/sprout-in-desert_1239350_943191

Jesus' very being was to reveal the glory of God the Father. The miracle at the wedding at Cana, the raising up of Lazarus, feeding the five thousand, His teachings. All was to reflect the Father's glory. What does my life reflect?  Whether you eat or drink, do it for the glory of God. 1 Cor:10:31 Image credit: https://stfrancistairua.com/2022/01/16/the-cana-wedding/

Come and see for yourself. Jn:1:46 Philip told Nathanael; what he was convinced about. Nathanael couldn't believe initially. And that is when Philip told this basic principle of sharing the Good News - come and see for yourself. Out of your love, you can share the Good News; you can share your life story to your loved and dear ones. Come and see for yourself. Do not try to argue. Do not try to convince them. Do not try to reason it out with them. Ask them to try for themselves and see. Meanwhile out of your love, continue to pray for them. We have to remember, if you win the argument, you might lose the person. Nathanael had a good friend in Philip; who introduced him to the Saviour and waited for him to experience Him. As an agent. As a catalyst. Whose Philip are you?  Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=two+friends+walking

Come, He replied, and you will see. John:1:39 Preaching from the pulpit is easy. Do you dare to take them home? Not a pre-planned visit. Do you dare to show them your messy bedroom? Do you dare to show them, how you spend your 'me time'? Do you dare to show them how you react at home? You preach about faith from the pulpit. But at home you fret, you are frustrated, you are angry - faithlessness written all over you. You preach about trust from the lectern. But spit words of venom back home. There is worry when small things are upside down. You speak about purity from the rostrum. Whereas your home is filled with unwholesome talk. Your thoughts are as filthy. What you are in the outside, why are you not at home? This is duality. This is hypocrisy. This is what Jesus addressed as white washed tombs. Give me integrity Lord. Make me reflect you, both in the public and at home. Image credit: https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/5/25/the-dangers-of-duality-recognition-sutra-6

John 1:29 The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The epitaph about Jesus. The purpose of His life. In the old testament, there was at least one lamb everyone would say about. This is the lamb that will take away my sin. Jesus is that Lamb once and for all. Sacrifices in the old testament proves that sin is serious and not something God could put away with or hide under the bush. Bloodshed is mandatory. Bloodshed, not of a random lamb from your flock. Right from the heart of the family. There is not just bloodshed. There is pain. There is a cost. When the Father allowed the Son to be crucified, there was bloodshed, there was pain, there was a cost. All for my forgiveness. Now as we repent - is there pain? Is there a cost? Is there heart wrenching? Is there even a tear drop? Thinking we hurt God, who loves us so much?  Image credit: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/ashley-lamb-born-at-farm-sanctuary/