"Hosanna": Call upon the name of the Lord.

"Hosanna": Call upon the name of the Lord. -

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:9 (NIV), (Psalm 118:25,26).

"Hosanna"(Hebrew), etymology says that Hosanna is a single word derived by joining two Hebrew separate words, "Yesa" and "Na".

Where, "Yesa", pronounced "yaw-shah", means, "deliverance, rescue, liberty, welfare, salvation".

And, "Na", pronounced "naw", means, "please, now, (in old fashioned form - pray)".

We can see this word in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I...", as pleading the Lord as they ascend the Holy Temple steps. The commentators say that this Psalm was sung annually at the Passover celebration, or at other ceremonies. 

As the Israelites on their pilgrimage they are asking the Lord to save them. Is it just the Israelites that should be saved? Or is the whole world that God wants to rescue out? We can deduce the meaning "world" from Psalm 107. I see four kinds of people asking the Lord for Help. Verses from 4-7, 10-14, 17-20, and 23-30. The CSB version starts with the words, Some (V4), Others (v19), Fools (v17), and Others (v23). I would like to name them as Israelites, Gentiles, Backslidden, and the Apostles, not just for easy understanding but the essence of these verses makes this sense.

Israelites (v4-7) - Exodus first chapter starts with the genealogy of the sons of Jacob who was renamed as Israel (Genesis 35:10). After crossing the Red Sea, they were wandering in the hot desolate place because of their stubbornness for forty years (Deuteronomy 2:7). Psalm 107:4-7, addresses these people as "finding no way to a city where they could live (107:4, CSB). When their spirits or their souls failed or fainted (v5), they cried out to the Lord in their trouble (v6). And then came the Lord to rescue them (v6). He led them through the right path (v7) until they reached the city (Jerusalem) that they could live at peace by the time of David. 

Gentiles (v10-14) - Other than descendants of Seth (see the genealogies in Matthew 1:2-16 and Luke 3:23-38), rest of the people have parted their way away from the Lord. They sat in darkness and gloom or the shadow of death. They were prisoners in cruel chains, because they rebelled against the Most High (v10,11). Nobody was there to rescue them (v12) for they followed their own paths, some with demi gods, some made themselves gods, some with ablutions and some with penance, etc., At last when they cried out for help (v13), the Lord brought them out of the darkness and the shadow of death (v14). He broke the chains that bound them till then.

Backslidden (v17-20) - I see these people as once they had sufficient faith to follow Him, but as they continued in the association of Jesus as followers and as disciples, they were uncomfortable or incompatible with the teachings of Jesus and started to disassociate and left the group. We can see such kind of people from John 6:22-66. One of His own disciple Judas Iscariot deserted Him, His own brothers made fun of Him (John 7:3-5; Matthew 13:55,57). Charles Taze Russell, Ellen G.White, etc., are some who fall in the same club. Psalm 107:17, names such people as fools. They fooled themselves because of their rebellious ways, they sinned against God. However, some have lost their lives, but even if those who now are ready to give up their past life and ask for help, He is ready to help them. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." He sent His Word (the Word) to rescue them from the Pit [sehiyt(heb) - destruction, pitfall] (Psalm 107:20).

The Apostles or the Church (v23-30) - I will sum up this scenario with Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; and Luke 8:22-25, where we can see Jesus hushing the sudden storm. Sometimes we are in the boat of faithful believing Church, but at some stormy situations we feel we are left all alone, skeptical, and uncertain of our destiny. Some even take hasty decisions. The disciples of Jesus were in the same situation in spite of knowing that they have a man who is an extraordinary person with them. For the past few days they witnessed some unbelievable miracles done by this man Jesus. But still they worried about their life. Their courage has melted down, all their skill to save themselves was useless (v27). Now, they cried out to the Lord, and He stilled the wild waves to a calm (v28,29). When we are in a weary situation, just remember the promise, call upon the name of the Lord and we will be saved (Romans 10:13).

This promise has worked when Jesus Christ gave up Himself upon the Cross of Calvary for every human being to rescue him from eternal death. Colossians 1:13,14 reads, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" and Ephesians 1:7 reads, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." He really heard us, when we cried out "Hosanna", "Lord! Save us now". We can see this affirmation of those who are been saved in Revelation 7:9-12, "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels.. the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (NIV).

Eve for Adam and Adam for Eve.

Why God create Eve for Adam and Adam for Eve? 

Obviously the answer would be Genesis 2:18, "It is not good for the man to be alone."

Alone? Most think it is easy to be all alone. Some even think that staying all alone is better, because responsibility is burdensome. However, man can live alone with a community around him. But can he live all alone just as the only living entity in this world? To understand the scenario, let's look at one example. 

In 1984 an Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, flew away from the space shuttle "Challenger", all alone into the space untethered. He flew away 100 meters from the space shuttle, freely floating in the space. Later, when he was asked about his experience of being in space all alone and freely floating, he answered, "it was extremely cold - think about the silence - just think about you all alone in space."

Frightening isn't it?

That's the reason why God created them male and female (Ge.1:27) - one for the other, so that no one will feel lonely.

1Corinthians 11:11 reads, "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman." 

Picture taken from https://www.nasa.gov/content/images/bruce-mccandless

Emperor Nero - the Blood Bather.

Emperor Nero - the Blood Bather.

This extravagant and luxurious bathtub of emperor Nero, made of Porphyry granite rock, a hard igneous rock containing crystals of feldspar in a fine-grained groundmass. The Daily Beast in it's news says, the bathtubs worth has been estimated to be worth $2 billion (this world’s most valuable bathtubs market value has yet to be proven). It's in the Vatican.

A plausible fact is that Nero's new found love Poppaea Sabina, married to Marcus Salvius Otho, as her second marriage. He is a Roman Consul's son, who was sent by Nero to govern Lusitania (Portugal) though inexperienced. Barry Strauss says that, Poppaea was one of the great beauties of the day. Nero wrote a poem about her beautiful amber (golden brown) hair. She is said to have bathed daily in the milk of five hundred asses to preserve her skin and even inspired in her day a line of cosmetics named after her. She is six years older than Nero. Josephus (Life, 3) tells, "when Nero visited Rome in AD 63, he was introduced to Poppaea by a Jewish actor and was befriended by her." Tacitus (Annals XVI,6) says that, "on her death in AD 65, Poppaea was not cremated in the Roman custom but was buried (as like the foreign custom)." Josephus (Antiquities, XX.8.11) indicates that she was a 'God fearer'. F.F.Bruce (The Spreading Flame, pg 176) writes, "the empress Poppaea whom Nero married in that year (AD 62 ?) was a friend of Jews." Some claim that she urged Nero to kill his mother Agripppina.

After the great fire in Rome, which according to Seutonius states with no reservations that Nero set the city on fire [(Life of Nero, 38); cf. Pliny the Elder, Natural History, XVII, 5]. Nero found a scapegoat, in the new found faith Christians to accuse. Out of fear that there might be possible civil disturbances in the governance of Rome with the Christians, he accused them of starting a fire. Another possibility is that Nero planned a colossal project to build, and he needs space to build it. According to Tacitus, Nero punished those guilty not only of starting the fire - a crime to which they had supposedly confessed. In his private estate across the Tiber river in the Vatican territory, which included a circus. Romans liked to watch the scenes of their myths to be enacted. As a part of this the victims were worn animal skins and were torn apart by dogs. Others were crucified or burned to death at night like living torches. Nero watched this going around as a charioteer. Eusebius in his Church History, writes that, his own mother and wife, with many others who were his near relatives, he killed like strangers and enemies with various kinds of death. He also goes on to write about the martyrdom of apostles Peter and Paul under Nero. These martyrdoms were witnessed by later writers like Roman Tertullian, ecclesiastical writer Caius, and Dionysius bishop of Corinth. 

Did such a ruthless tyrant did bathe in his bathtub with water? It is no exaggeration when I say that he bathed with the blood of the martyrs, other than his relatives in his luxurious bathtub. 

The Second Century Church Father, Tertullian, made a statement that is still relevant today, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Matthew 5:10-12 reads, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Choose Jesus Above All Else.

My perception for this day -

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:21-22.

"Let the dead bury their own dead" - one might think of what a harsh attitude from Jesus. But, is Jesus really being stringent? Of course not, if we understand Him and of His urgency for the Kingdom. We must understand the ancient death, mourning, funeral and ritual practices of the Jews. However, I don't want to take a deep dive into the subject, but want to make an ancient practice point of the Jews. Deuteronomy 34:8, reads "The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over." A little beyond Moses, Joseph, the son of Jacob (Israel), waited forty days for the body of Jacob to be embalmed. The Egyptians usually take seventy days to embalam a Pharaoh. Joseph being the Regent of Egypt, Jacob's body  might have been embalmed in the Egyptian way of medical practices. The Scripture supports it, "He (Joseph) commanded his servants who were physicians to embalm..." (Ex 50:2). And because Joseph is not a Pharaoh, there might been a little change in the embalming process which took only forty days. Exodus 50:3 reads, that Egyptians took seventy days for mourning. Whether the forty days for embalming was included in the seventy days of mourning is not clear (Ex 50:3). If the forty days are not included, then the number of days it took for embalming and mourning will be 110 days. A few more days for traveling from Egypt to Israel: according to Deuteronomy 1:2, it will take eleven days to travel from Mount Horeb (Sinai) to Kadesh-barnea, near Negev desert (Num 13:17). It would not take more than eleven days for the spies to travel from the Wilderness of Paran (Num 13:3) to the land of Canaan. And an addition of seven more days for Joseph's mourning before the funeral. This will take the total number of days between 88 to 128 (including or excluding the embalming days) before funeral.

The ancient jewish burials streatched over an entire year. The elder son, in this scenario, Joseph being the precedent of all the sons of Jacob (Ge 50:18), was obligated to gather the skeletal remains and place them in an ossurary (if this was the practice). But placing the skeletal remains of the bereaved person in an ossurary is practiced in the time of Jesus. 

Was Jesus demanding the disciple to follow Him leaving his father and mother? Not at all, instead, He is demanding the disciple to choose the priority. What was the need for the disciple to choose Jesus above all else? All the twelve apostles of Jesus, just followed Jesus the moment He asked them to follow Him. They left everything (Matt 4:18-21; Mk 2:13,14) before following Jesus. Jesus was in a sort of urgency to complete the task His Father has laid upon Him. In the Gospel of John 16:16, Jesus speaks of His unexplained urgency in a few words, "In a while you will see me no more..." Jesus clearly knows that, He has a very less time and a huge task ahead to complete. Within this very short period of time, He has to groom and fashion the rustic twelve into a civilized, meek and courageous people, filled with Holy Spirit. He has to make them understand who He is (Matt 16:13-16), at the same time He has to expound them that He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures (Matt 5:17,18; 8:17; Jn 12:38-42), which was later protrayed by the apostles in their Gospels and the letters. To credence this urgency of Jesus, He speaks to a scribe who approached in eagerness to follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus answered him back,"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt 8:20). What was Jesus trying to mean? Doesn't Jesus have a house to live in? Doesn't His apostles have their houses to shelter Jesus? Recent Archaeological excavations have exposed a building which is supposed to be of Peter (St.Peter's Church, Capernaum). Gospel of Matthew 2:15, reads that Levi (Matthew) gave a dinner to Jesus and others at his house. So, everybody has a (own) house to live in. Then, what was Jesus meant by these words? He speaks of His urgency to finish the task. Jesus was so focused that He wanted His apostles to learn fast. In this process, Jesus sometimes even rebuked them (Matt 17:14-17; Mk 4:40; 16:14; etc). To make them learn fast, Jesus was so attentive, that He was not ready to leave them alone or to send them back to their homes. Jesus wanted his disciples to be with Him day and night, every moment, every hour. He made constant travels up and down Israel with His disciples. He always wanted them to listen to Him. 

As Jesus knew that He has a very short time and a big task to accomplish, Jesus wanted those who are eager to follow Him must choose the priority before anything else, even if it be their dear ones. 

"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matt 12:46-50).

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (LK 14:26,27).

The Steps of Choice

Steps of Choice -

On the left are the steps to Mars Hill (Aeropagus, Ac 17:19 in Athens), where a council would sit to decide which god(s) to be allowed and devoted in the city. As said in Psalm 115:4-8, which are of no use. They are just to make a business (Ac 19:24-28).

Now to the right are the steps to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem (the Temple Mount, Israel), where people ascend with praise and worship, meditating upon His nature. Psalm 136, 121, 134, (Psalms 120 -137 are all Songs of Ascent), how glorious will it be.

"Hineini" - Here I am.

"Here I am" - Hineini (Hebrew)

The term is just like a father answering his enquiring son in day-to-day life (Ge.22:7). The word "Hineini" gives us hope, assurance, and strength in times of trouble to the one in need. We can see both humans and God replying with this word.

1. God answering to humans :

Isaiah 58:9 and 65:1.

2. Humans answering to God in humility :

Genesis 22:1 and v11.

Just close your eyes and call upon the Lord, as in Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ", and as in Galatians 4:6, "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ".

We can be sure of Him answering us back,  "Hineini, Hineini", my son.

An Old Ox - A Purposeful Life.

An Old Ox - A Purposeful Life.

(About a Faithful and Obedient Christian Life)

1.  Go two by two,

2.  Into the world of chaos.

3.  Greet and be a blessing,

4.  If not dust off for later trial.

5.  As like a two ox cart,

6.  Heading back with the Ark.*

7.  Bringing back those happy moments,

8.  With their life a Sweet Smelling Offering.

9.  Twelve become, one twenty,

10. Adding and multiplying to the Church.

11. Heading up with passion,

12. With no staff, sandals, bread, money, tunic nor gold, silver or copper.

13. What if one ox hurt and die,

14. Let the dead bury their dead was the call,

15. The Lord is in control of everything,

16. As Elisha followed Elijah, the yoke is never empty.

17. The dead ox was bought with a heavy price,

18. It did it's best, when it is with life.

19. Elected, nurtured and tamed,

20. The vow to follow fulfilled faithfully.

21. I am that old ox, ment for the yoke obediently,

22. Hurt and collapsed on the way.

23. I saw the heavens open, the Lord is with my Lord,

24. I can now rest in assurance of Hope to come.

Scripture source :

1.  Mk 6:7; Lk 10:1.

3.  Lk 10:5-7.

4.  Lk 10:10-12.

5.  1Sam 6:7,8.

6.  1Sam 6:7,8.*

8.  2Cor 2:15.

9.  Ac 1:15.

12. Lk 9:3; Mt 10:9-16.

13. 2Cor 11:23-26.

14. Mt 8:22.

15. Mt 28:18.

16. 1Kg 19:19-21; 2Kg 2:9.

17. 1Cor 6:20.

18. 2Cor 2:15.

19. Col 3:12; 1Pet 2:9; [ Is 42:1-3 ].

21. Mt 11:30.

22. Ac 7:57-60; Cor 11:23-26.

23. Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44; Ac 7:56.

24. Rom 8:25.

* Cart with never yoked Cows.