The Lord - Sower and Reaper.

Probably we all might have listened to this, "the Parable of the Sower" (Matthew 13:3-8; 18-23) by Jesus, either as a Sermon or in a Bible study. To recall the different places the seeds that were scattered, as the seeds dispersed by the sower - because the first area was the road where the seed won't germinate. The second, third, and the fourth areas were where the seeds germinated, but because of the type of land the seeds fell, some grew but didn't last long, some grew but because of the circumstances they were not fruitful, the fourth area was the good soil, the seeds that fell, took a deep root, grew well and were fruitful as well. If we look into the 13th Chapter of Matthew, we notice that Jesus had concentrated more on the peasant to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven. 

The genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17) says that, He is the descendant of King David. Upon reading 2Samuel 7:11,16, we will notice this everlasting promise. "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." We notice the same in the advent scence also in the Gospel according to Luke 1:32-33, "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” And at the time of His arrest, Jesus was brought before Pilate, and Pilate asked, "Are you the king of Jews?", to that Jesus replies, "My Kingdom is not an earthly Kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My Kingdom is not of this world", and continued saying, "You say I am a King. Actually I was born and came into the world to testify truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true." Pilate closes the conversation with the question, "What is truth?" (Gospel of John 18:33-38). What was His Kingdom is all about? We know from Matthew 13:37, that the Sower is Jesus Himself, in other words, Jesus Himself is the peasant. 

Why would Jesus instead of comparing Himself to a King, compared Himself with a peasant? There is a curious tale which supposed to have happened in the reign of Emperor Domitian (AD 81-96). Domitian wanted to be deified as one among Roman gods. He wanted to be worshipped as like the emperors before him. In his reign as an emperor he was more suspicious. He executed number of his senators, as he feared a coup. Maybe, I think he would have been suspicious of the descendants of David too. As part of his precautionary measures, he interviewed two of the members of the family of Jesus (Matthew 13:55,56) (probably the grandsons of His brother Judas, who wrote the epistle), because they claimed descent from the royal line of David. When they were brought before Domitian, he asked them whether they were descended from David, and they admitted it. Then he asked them what property they owned and what funds they had with them now. They replied that they had only 9000 denarii in total, half belonging to each. This also is not available in cash but was estimated value of 25 acres of land which their ancestors owned, from which they pay taxes and the rest to support themselves. They showed their hardened hands and their body as a proof for their hardship for their labour. When the Emperor asked about Jesus and His Kingdom, they explained that it was not of this world or anywhere on earth but would be established at the end of the world, when He would come in the glory to judge the living and the dead, giving every man payment according to his conduct. After interviewing them he found them to be simple peasants and quite uninterested in secular kingship or in a coup or in the formation of any kingdom. On their release they became leaders of Churches and lived into the time of Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117). [Eusebius Church History, Book 3, 19,20].

Is this what Jesus foresaw and compared Himself with a peasant? Don't know, but we can know of His intention when we read Matthew 9:35-38, 'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”'

Jesus wants us to be His co-workers in the field of His Kingdom. In order to bring down His Kingdom among us (Matthew 6:10), He wants us to be hardened labour with Him. As said in Ephesians 4:11, we have offices of the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and the teachers etc., Let's be faithful in the fields of our gifts, and strive to make the Kingdom of God a reality.

Let's conclude with Galatians 6:7-10, "A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ...as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

*All Scripture are from NIV and NLT.

When Your Faith Ridiculed.

           "graffito blasfemo" or blasphemous graffiti.

Above is "Alexamenos graffito", now in Palatine museum in Rome, which is been removed from a wall near the Palatine hill in Rome. This graffiti is said to be of AD 200 or so. On keen observation you can find a donkey or a mule on a cross, and below are scraped Greek letters which read, Ἀλεξάμενος σέβεται θεόν (Alexámenos sévetai theón) which means, "Alexamenos worships (his) God". We can see a young man, probably a guard named Alexamenos, a christian who can be seen raising one hand as a symbol of adoration towards his God.

Emperor Septimius Severus (AD 193 - 211) was reigning in Rome. As a remedy to avoid rebellion and civil war in the country, he opted for religious tolerance, which seems to be a right move by an emperor. But with one clause, that in the pantheon of gods the "unconquered Sun god" is to be accepted above all other gods or the Sun god is to given priority above his/her own faith. This wasn't acceptable to the Jews and the Christians. Although there was religious tolerance in the time of Septimius Severus, Christian history does not forget the execution of five people in AD 203, at Carthage, Africa, at the military games on the eve of emperors birthday. Perpetua, Felicity and Saturus were among the five martyrs on that day. On the other hand due to the persecution by the past emperors there was mockery upon Christians, teasing that the God they believe in was crucified on the cross. For Greeks, one who has not sufficient wisdom to save himself from shameful and horrible death was a sheer folly. To the Romans, they see their gods as all powerful and cannot accept Jesus as God who died a death on the Cross helplessly.

Donkeys were represented in a negative form by the Greeks, where they were generally portrayed as stupid and stubborn, or of a characteristic of slave and generally represented as lower class. They were often contrasted with horses, which were seen as powerful and beautiful. In Aesop's literature "The Ass in the Lion's Skin", he protray donkey as a fool. In Apuleius's "The Golden Ass" he portray donkey as stubborn, foolish, wicked and lowly. The famous Shakespeare popularised the use of the word "ass" as an insult meaning stupid or clownish in many of his plays. This insult continued in the times of the Romans too.

On the flip side, we generally see that breeds like Akita, Appenzeller Sennenhund, Australian Shepherd, Bullmastiff, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog etc., as some of the best watch dogs or guard dogs. Herdsmen generally use these beeds to keep their domestic animals safe. Some of these breeds are so costly to buy. So few herdsmen who can't afford to buy the costly breeds, use donkeys as an alternative source. Donkeys are very affordable at price. Donkeys are a great option for guarding grazing animals like goats or sheep, because they have very similar care requirements. Donkeys are the silent guard animals, and will notify intruders. They will fiercely protect the herd themselves, using kicks and strikes with their hooves and bites with their large teeth. Not only are these territorial animals excellent for guarding, but they can also be useful in more ways for transportation, weighing loads, etc.,

Jesus says, "..often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings.." (Matt 23:37, NLT). As prophet Isaiah says, God is hovering over us like a guard, He will shield and rescue us from the adversary (Isaiah 31:5). As "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1Peter 5:8, ASV). As Jesus shows his confidence in His sheep and says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand, I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." And to the lost sheep He says, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and One Shepherd." This Shepherd is ready to lay down His life self willingly for the sake of guarding His (lost) sheep. (John 10:14-18, NIV).

Are we ready to accept the mockery as Alexamenos who was quiet when his faith was been teased and ridiculed? Are we the lost sheep or the sheep of His pen?

Now that you were given the required dots, try to connect the dots accordingly and draw parallels to see the bigger picture.

Birthday Song for Jesus.

Birthday Song for Jesus -

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Jesus.

*Thank you for coming

Thank you for the ransom

Thank you for the ransom, Jesus

Paid on my behalf.

°You reign forever

Your Kingdom ever

You reign forever, Jesus

Forever and ever.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Jesus.

Lullaby Inspired by -

*Isaiah 53:5.

°Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:6.

Miracles : History, Witness and A Case Study.

       The Widow of Nain, by Harold Copping.

To those who doubt about the verse from the Gospel of Matthew 27:51-53, which reads like, "The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people (NIV)."

Apostle Paul in his letter to 1Corinthians 15:5,6 writes, "He(Jesus) appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep" (1Corinthians 15:5-6, NIV).

Even after this great testimonial of Paul saying that though some died, he saw some people still living in his time while he was writing a letter to Corinthians in AD 55-60. So, there are saints moving around in AD 55-60. Although this is factual to Paul, to some it might be a fiction. This can only be resolved by other factual evidence from a non-biblical narrative. 

Eusebius of Caesare, an early Church Historian mentions about a person by name Quadratus, an apologist of his time. Quadratus lived in the time of Emperor Hadrian who reigned Rome in the years AD 117-138. Writing a defence of Christianity about the miracles of Jesus as facts, "Our Saviour's works were always there to see, for they were true - the people who had been cured and those raised from the dead, who had not merely been seen at the moment when they were cured or raised, but were always there to see, not only when he Saviour was among us, but for a long time  after His departure; in fact some of them survived right up to my own time", (Eusebius, Church History, Book 4.3). In the same way Aristides, a loyal and devoted Christian also wrote a "Defence of the Faith", addressed to emperor Hadrian.

G.A.Williamson who translated Eusebius Church History writes a footnote saying that, "they [the Nain young man and others who were raised to life at the time of Jesus Crucifixion (Mt 27:52&53)] might well have survived till nineties(age), when Quadratus was presumably a young man". Church Historians place this incident of Quadratus giving his apology to Hadrian in the year AD 124-125.

Case Study : The first miracle of Jesus Christ of raising a dead man to life was recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Luke writes that, "Jesus went to a town called Nain,... As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. ...the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry". Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother." (Lk.7:11-15, NIV).

Observe the word what Jesus calls the dead person, "young man", which in Greek was written as "(νεανίσκος) neanískos". Greek dictionary tells that men under fourty are called as neanískos. Let's assume that the Nain boy was around 20 years of age while Jesus was a 32 year old young man (in the year AD 32). And now, let's assume that by the time Quadratus handedover his apology to Hadrian at Greece was about 50 years of age (AD124-125). If Nain young boy had lived another 50 years after he was been risen from the dead by Jesus Christ, which makes him a 70 year old man, then he would have lived till AD 82. The math goes like 32 + 50 = 82. Now as said Quadratus was 50 years of age at AD 124. If we subtract 124 - 50 = 74. Hence AD 74 was when the apologist Quadratus was born. By the time Nain young man died in the year AD 82, Quadratus would be a 8 year old boy. This makes an overlap of 8 years for both Nain young man and Quadratus lives, which gives enough information to know about this man of Nain his life and the miracle that happened and his post miraculous life after being risen from the dead. This would be the reason why Quadratus said, "...in fact some of them survived right up to my own time".

Whether my case study would be correct or incorrect, but the fact that the confessions written in history are true. Why? Because what if emperor Hadrian was interested as like Herod Antipas was fascinated by the life of John the Baptist, and wanted to bring before him the family members of the Nain young man. If Quadratus was wrong then he would have to face a severe punishment, isn't it.

So, to conclude, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die" (John 11:25, NIV). "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:17&18, NIV).

So, believe in the Holy Scriptures, because they are History.

The Advent - The Coronation of a (the) King.

"When you see the earth set under the Cross, remember that the whole world is subject to the Power and Empire of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer".*

The monarch while receiving the Orb which represents the dominion of the Lord over the whole earth and the monarch as His representative accepts this Orb says the pledge, "Receive this orb set under the cross, and remember that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of Christ our Redeemer.” In other words, the Sovereign’s Orb is a reminder, not of the King’s power but of the limits of his power.

Even the monarch limits his own power and gives way to the dominion of the Lord.

Prophet Isaiah 9:6,7 reads, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

In Gospel of Luke, first chapter, angel Gabriel greeting Mary and gives a good news that, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him "Jesus". He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (v31-33, NIV).

In Matthew 2:11, One of the three gifts that were received from the Wisemen by Mary and Jesus included Gold, which represents the Kingship, and the Divine nature of the Lord.

One of the Apocryphal books, the Psalms of Solomon 17: 32-36 read as,

"He will have the nation's to serve Him under his yoke..the nation's may come from the ends of the earth to see His glory...He himself is a righteous King over them... their King is the anointed Lord."

"[LORD] hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  ...[And] on His head are many Crowns. He has a name written on Him.... He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the "Word of God". The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ...He will rule them with an iron scepter. ... On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: "KING of kings and LORD of lords."

- Matthew 6:9,10; Revelation 19:13-16 (NIV).

We should be aware of this Scripture from John 6:15, "Jesus, knowing that they (people who ate 5 barley loaves and 2 fish) intended to come and make him (Jesus) King by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." So, there was a strong impulse in the people's heart that Jesus should be the king, but this would destroy the plan what Father intended for Him. So Jesus withdrew from there.

Another incident that followed to show Jesus as King is in Zechariah 9:9. The prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-11, when Jesus rode on a donkey. F F Bruce writes that, "once upon a time the ass has been the beast on which judges and kings rode in Israel. But since Solomon's time the horse had replaced the ass for this purpose. ...Jesus accordingly presented Himself to the people of Jerusalem as their King." (The Spreading Flame).

Before His crucifixion, when Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then He continues saying that, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth." (Matthew 27:11; John 18:36,37 NIV).

The truth is that, Jesus came to this world to shed His blood for each and everyone of us, past, present and future. He said, "This is my blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins", "as the Son of Man... to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 26:28; 20:28, NIV).

But, He (Jesus) will soon come back and take you... (John 14:3).

Till then, let the Sovereignty of the Lord reign over all the earth forever and ever. Amen. As His representatives we need to take the orb as a responsibility of spreading the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to the very ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20).

- Words within parentheses are my own.

- *Quote inspired from British Coronation Service.

Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III with Orb

"globus cruciger" (Latin for ‘cross-bearing orb’)

Timothy and Elagabalus: Compare and Contrast.

It's a story of two grand mother's, two mother's (of two one is an Aunt and the other is a mother), and two son's: overall it's a story of two families - compared and contrasted.

Though there is almost a two hundred years gap between the two, their mothers, Julia Mamaea (actually *Aunt) and other Eunice, both were attracted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, one by Apostle Paul and the other by Origen. Julia knew the Lord, but when she came to know that Origen was in the city, she called him up, spent time in enquiring more about the Lord. Eunice is a jewesses who has the knowledge about the Lord, but she came to know about the incarnated Lord Jesus Christ through Apostle Paul. Their sons, one accepted the Lord as his Saviour, the other didn't. One came to be called by Paul as the "true child in faith and my beloved child" (1Tim :2; 2Tim 1:2), the other became an emperor of Rome (reigned from AD/CE 218-222). While one walked in the fear of the Lord, the other started a new cult religion of his own. While one started/planted new Churches all around, the other planted a temple for Sun god (El-Gabal) and built a temple for his patron god on Palatine hill, Rome. While one evangelized about Jesus Christ, above all other faiths fearlessly. The other kept tolerance with other religions, and forcing people to worship Sun god, his patron deity. While one was appointed to a servitude job as an overseer (later was appointed the first Bishop of the Church at Ephesus), the other was a high priest at the temple of Sun god. After living a faithful life (2Tim 3:10,11) at the age of 80 or 90 years one became a martyr, stoned to death for preaching against idolatry [According to Heb 13:23, once Timothy was arrested and imprisoned, but was set free or escaped death]. The other was murdered (his mother too) after reigning Rome for four years at an early age by his own guards for forcing people to worship his patron deity Sun god. Of these two, one was Timothy, the disciple of Apostle Paul (Ac 16:1), the other was Elagabalus, the  emperor of Rome. The name Timothy means "God honours", its like God honoured him for his servitude. Whereas the name Elagabalus means in Arabic "god of the mountain", its like thefting the pride of God and paralleling himself with the God. 1Kings 20:28 reads that the God of Israel is called "the God of the mountains". Historians say that though Elagabalus married four women, he was a gay and a transgender which is against the nature which God prescribed (Romans 1:26-28; 1Tim 1:10). Timothy on the other hand followed what was taught by Paul (2Timothy 3:10-14). When Eunice sent Timothy to the Lord's service (1Tim 4:14; 1:18; 2Tim 1:6), Timothy made every moment count in accordance to his mother's faith. But Elagabalus, didn't fulfill his grand mother's (Julia Maesa) plans, so Julia Maesa (grand mother) had to look to Alexander Severus (AD/CE 222-235), the successor of Elagabalus. Today we can see the relics of St.Timothy are venerated at Cathedral of Termoli, Italy, but after emperor Elagabalus brutal murder his body, decapitated his head and was thrown into river Tiber in Italy.

To conclude both were nurtured by devote mothers (one is Aunt), but their choice, paths, and faith were different. Proverbs 22:6 reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (ESV). How are we training our children?

*Julia Mamaea was daughter of Julia Maesa and younger sister of Julia Soaemias mother of emperor Elagabalus.

Sources:

1. Holy Bible,

2. Bible Encyclopaedia,

3. Eusebius - Church History,

4. Wikipedia.

Julia Mamaea, Aunt of Emperor Elagabalus.

Julia Soaemias mother of emperor Elagabalus.

St.Timothy relics at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Purification in Termoli, Italy.

Is It Mandatory For Man To Do The Dishes? 2Kings 21:13.

Misinterpretation of 2Kings 21:13.

I was watching on FB Reels, YT Shots, Instagram posts and memes these days on social media about Man doing with cleaning of dishes in the kitchen. Though it started as fun but soon it might take a serious turn. So, I decided to try and give a better understanding of the Scripture.

As "a man" wipeth - the word "man" was never there in the hebrew scriptures, but the meaning was implied to it. It was more of implied to God rather than man (husband/son). It is God who warns Israel that as the remnant of food is wiped from the bowl, leaving no crumbs or the last drop, the bowl can be turned upside down. In the same way God is going to handover them (Israelites) to enemies who will spoil and plunder as like nothing left in their bowels or plates, because they have done evil before the Lord since they came out of Egypt (2Kings 21:13,14,15). So v13 has nothing to do with a man (husband/son) doing dishes, but there is nothing wrong in helping your woman/mother/sister in the kitchen. It's not mandatory that the man has to do with the dishes in his house.