Are we ready to obey, pray, repent ?

God has commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach them to repent. But instead of obeying God's command, he headed for Tarshish. All of us know what happened to Jonah. The same is happening to us in our daily life also. God directs us what to do, but we don't accept it as we have our own plan and go ahead with that. But eventually our plan fails. It's the same saying as 'man proposes, but God disposes'. God disposes our plans only if it is contradicting with His plan. Even if He disposes our plans, He will take care of us. If we fell into traps due to our own plan, He will not allow us to be crushed under it. But remember we will be inside the 'fish' of complications striving to get out. The fish obeyed the command of God not to eat and digest Jonah, but only to swallow, and after three days to vomit him on dry land. The leafy plant obeyed the command of God to grow above Jonah and give him shade. The worm obeyed the command of God to chew this plant, and the sun and wind also obeyed His commands. Are we ready to obey His commands and live accordingly? Let's practice obedience on the first day of lent.

We can get out of the 'fish' if we pray and submit ourselves to God as Jonah did. Jonah testifies that God answered him when he called in his distress; God listened to his cry when he called for help. He promises that he will look again to the temple of God even though God put him through many hardships. He acknowledges that God is the one who lift him from the abyss. Our prayer should also be a total submission to God, same as Jonah's prayer. Our mind and heart should be fully immersed in the prayer. Nothing should distract us. We should totally disconnect ourselves from the worldly feelings. As we are inside the 'fish', we will have only one prayer: 'Lord, please get me out of this situation'. God will deliver us from our sufferings. Are we ready to pray by totally submitting ourselves to God? Let's do a prayerful self-submission on the second day of lent.

Jonah proclaimed to the Ninevites that 'forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown'. After hearing this, they believed in God; a fast was proclaimed and they put on sackcloth and prayed. They did not taste, and eat and drink anything. They gave up their evil ways and violence. The above proclamation by Jonah is aimed at us also as we are more or less the same as the Ninevites. Remember the words, 'forty more days, and we may be overthrown'. The countdown has started! Are we ready to repent like the Ninevites? As the King of Nineveh took off his royal robes, let's took off our luxuries and live on the necessities and pray. Let's fast like the Ninevites. God excused the Ninevites as they turned away from their evil ways. He will also forgive us just as he forgave the Ninevites. Let's repent from the depth of our heart on the third day of lent.

Even though the deadline for Ninevites was forty days, God blessed their generation to last for another century and half, because they obeyed, prayed and repented. God is giving us a chance to obey, pray and repent, to get blessed. Let's make use of it during these three days of lent and beyond so that our generations will last forever.

"As Thou didst answer Jonah, answer us who call on Thee.
Thou redeemest those from wrath, Ninevites who called on Thee."

Are we ready to go and see Him ?

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:43-51)

We may have issues relating to our job, children's education, marriage, illness, poverty, and so forth. When we have these sufferings, usually we stay apart from the crowd. We start cursing our fate. We may not pray, as we have the same above question in mind as of Nathanael, even if some of our friends tell us to pray to God. We may not mingle with others or we may prefer to stay at home in solitude same like Nathanael sitting under the 'fig tree'. Nathanael was expecting the savior. We also are expecting our lord to solve our issues, but only waiting for Him. But He has seen us sitting under the 'fig tree' with our sufferings. For giving us the relief, Jesus calls us through His disciple 'come and see'. But are we ready to go and see Him even though there is an invitation ?

Let's decide to 'go and see Him'. How should we be to see Him - "be a righteous in whom there is no deceit.” Even though there is an invitation to see Him, neither the venue nor the date and time is mentioned. It's an open invitation. We can go and see Him anywhere and anytime. Let's see where and when we can see Him ? Have we saw a hungry person who need food ? Have we saw a thirsty person who need something to drink ? Have we saw a stranger who need help or a place to stay ? Have we saw a person who need clothing ? Have we saw a sick person who need our care ? Have we visited a prisoner who need our love to transform ? If yes, many a times we have seen Him, but unfortunately may not have identified Him. Even then we definitely may have got a feeling that our sufferings are nothing when compared to the sufferings of these people. That itself will boost our morale. Imagine how much they will be happy if we solve their problems. Definitely it will be more than the happiness we receive when God solve our small issues. Let's fulfill their requirements as a righteous person without any deceit will do. Then we can make sure that we had seen Him . For He said "whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did it for me.’ (Matt 25:31-46)

What is the benefit of going and seeing Him ?  Our Lord promised that "We will see greater things; We will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” The angels will go up with our problems, and come down with solutions as blessings to the sons of men. It's a promise from our Lord to us. Let's go and see Him to be showered with blessings as the heaven will be opened when we go and see Him.

Are we ready to be in the catch for Him ?

Jesus said, “I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17
Everyone knows that the simple meaning of the above verse is a divine call to discipleship. I think there is another very important message implied in this verse. It's best for every one to be a disciple. But if one can't, why can't be at least in the catch mentioned in the above verse.

All of us know the benefit of getting a catch of fish. If a catch of fish have that much benefit, then how much more will be the benefit of a catch of people. Imagine it yourself.

It seems from the above verse that Jesus is looking for a catch of people. Is there any reason for that ? If we relate the word  'catch' to the 'cache' in computer science, the reason will be clear. In computer science, a cache is a component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster. The greater the number of requests that can be served from the cache, the faster the overall system performance becomes. Otherwise, if one have something abundantly in hand,  those resources can be utilized easily and speedily if a request comes for the same. If Jesus have a cache of utilizable people in hand, the request from the needy can be easily and speedily fulfilled on this earth itself. If people on earth helps the needy, then the request need not reach Him; But He will be glorified by the needy, as that request was fulfilled from His cache. If He can feed five thousand people with  a catch of two fish, imagine the number of people who can be fed with a catch of useful people. Fish will satisfy the hunger, but people can satisfy the need for food, cloth, shelter etc; I mean almost all the necessities of the needy.

Let's be willing to share ourselves to care others. Let's be in the catch for Him so that He can use us from the cache, rather than continue to be a 'big fish' out of the net.

Are we ready to prepare the way for Him ?

"Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." Luke 3:4

Are we ready to prepare the way for the Lord as John the Baptist did?
John echoes the words of Isaiah the prophet "Prepare the way for the
Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become
straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's
salvation."

John explains clearly (Luke 3: 10-18) what we should do as he explained it to the crowd.

Are our paths straight? When we deal with others, do we have a
straight approach. John doubts, for he says "make straight paths". Let's
make straight dealings. Are our heart and mind a fruitful valley? John
doubts, for he says "every valley shall be filled in". Our heart and
mind should not be a barren valley. Let's fill out hearts with love and
compassion so that it will be fruitful. Are we like mountains and hills
with keeping our head above all others. John knows it, for he says
"every mountain and hill made low". Let's bow our heads before others.
Are we like crooked roads, or rough ways? John thinks so, for he says
"crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth". Let's get
out of the crooked roads and rough ways. Let's be straight forward so
that everyone around us can mingle with us without fear.

John does not say to 'make the way', but he says to 'prepare the way'.
The way between Him and us is already created by God. We have only to prepare it, so that He can come to us.

If we prepare the way for the lord, what is the benefit? "..all
people will see God's salvation". As John emphasizes, the benefit is not
only for us, but for all the people.

Let's prepare the way for the lord in this new year. Let that be our new
year resolution so that all people will see God's salvation.

Are we ready to be laid in the manger ?

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;” (Luke 2:7)

Are we ready to be laid in the manger ?

Before taking a decision, let’s see what is a manger and what is the importance of being laid in that. Manger is a trough or box of carved stone or wood construction used to hold food for animals. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew" or “to drink”).

As Luke 2:7 says, baby Jesus was laid in the manger. It’s clear from the above definitions that, what ever laid in the manger is meant for eating, chewing or drinking. Was it a coincidence that Jesus later on gave his body and blood to the mankind to eat and drink ? I think it’s a great message from God to remind us the theory of share and care in each Christmas. Jesus sacrificed himself to save the sinners, otherwise He became the food for the humans to save them. Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11 says “eat, this is my body, which is broken for you..this cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”There are a lot of people around us who are without food, shelter, clothes, and many other necessities. Are we ready to be laid in the manger so that the needy can share our food, shelter, clothes etc. Jesus sacrificed himself; are we ready to sacrifice at least a part of our luxuries to fulfill the necessities of the needy, or we continue to be a ‘dog in a manger’ ?

Dear brothers and sisters, try to be laid in the manger by God in this Christmas, so that we will be a help to the needy in the New Year. Wish you all a blessed New Year with the spirit of Christmas. I am sure we are ready to be laid in the manger by God.

Are we ready to help in carrying the cross ?

Jesus was carrying the heavy cross. Simon was forced to carry this cross. Matthew 27:32 says "As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry His cross."

Let's analyze the persons who carry the cross in the present day family, and whether some one else has to carry it to reduce the burden.

Are we ready to help our husbands when they carry the cross ?  Being the head of the family, husband may be the one who carry the cross. Husbands are supposed to work very hard for the benefit of the family. He is the one who meet all the necessities of the family, sometimes he even allow luxuries for the family members. He may forget about his well being for the benefit of the family. He may not spend for luxuries, so that that money can be used for the necessities or luxuries of wife or children. Dear wives, are you ready to lend a helping hand ? Or let him to carry the cross alone, as it's his responsibility ?

Are we ready to help our wives when they carry the cross? Now a days, the number of working wives are increasing. Most of them may be struggling to earn. They may be working late when they are supposed to spend the time with the family. Are we a type of an husband who relaxes at home after sending our wife for earning. Don't we have a responsibility as the husband to help her to carry the cross, so that her burden will be lesser ?

Are we ready to help our children to when they carry the cross ? Our children may have different issues. It may be in their studies, or it may be something else. Are we leaving them to solve the issues on their own ? Dear parents, don't we have a responsibility to help them solve their problems ? They may be working to earn money for their education. Being the parent, are we ready to lend a helping hand ?

Are we ready to help your parents when they carry the cross ? Our parents will be working very hard to earn for our living and education. They may not be living in luxury or some times even without the necessities of life. They are struggling to give us a better living. Being a son or daughter, are we ready to lend a helping hand ?

We should not be helping to carry the cross by force as Simon did. We should have the willingness to lend a helping hand to others who are carrying the 'cross'. At least to carry a part of that cross so as to give a relief to the person carrying it.

Are we ready to be the unleavened bread ?

Pessaha reminds us of the greatest sharing showed by our lord. Jesus took the unleavened bread, cut it and gave to the disciples. Here two points are worth analyzing; the unleavened bread, and the sharing of the same with others.

What are the characteristics of the unleavened bread ? It's made of flour, water, and salt. No other ingredients. Nothing is added to it to make it more tasty or luxurious. It's made in the hot mud oven.  It's the bread of the common man.

Are we ready to be an unleavened bread so that God can share you for others ? To be an unleavened bread, one should be pure in their deeds. We should not keep hatred in our minds. We should be straight forward.  We should be acceptable to the needy and poor. As the bread was made by putting in the hot mud oven, we should purify ourselves in the flame of love and compassion. As this bread is the food of the common man, we should be accessible to the common man. In other words, the needy or the poor should have access to us. They should get a feeling that we are a 'daily bread' which they can count on.

If we are the unleavened bread, then God will make use of us to share with others. He will use our qualities to help these sections of the society. As He cut the bread into pieces and gave to others, we have to share our attributes with others; our abilities to be used for the benefit of the society; our wealth to be shared with the poor. Are we ready to be the unleavened bread so that He can use to share for the needy ?

Let's submit ourselves to God to purify us to change as an unleavened bread so that He can share with others.

Are we ready to be a donkey ?

First Hosanna started with Jesus sending his disciples to bring a donkey to ride on. The Biblical message or implications of Hosanna is not included in this analysis as it's known to everyone. But I am trying to analyze the Hosanna in the present day life. Even though there were objects like donkey, carpet, flowers involved in the first Hosanna, the selection of donkey is the major one. Son of God could have ride on a chariot or a horse. But He selected a donkey. Do this selection of donkey have any relevance in today's life ?

Donkey is considered to be an animal which carries whatever his master put on him. It never complaints. Anyone can ride it. It bows it's head to take whatever is expected it to do.

Are we ready to be a donkey so that the son of God can ride on us ? To become a donkey, we have to bow our head before others; we should reject our stubborn nature; we should be willing to accept others. When we do these, others will call us as a donkey. People will tell each other, this guy is a donkey. But we have the answer, which Jesus told his disciples, "my lord and god have need of me to ride on". By bringing the baby donkey, none had used before, Jesus is aiming at us brothers and sisters who have not yet have the mentality to accept others or bow before others. For becoming a donkey, we have the clear answer, "my lord and god have need of me to ride on".

What will we gain by becoming a donkey to ride the son of god? People around us will lay red carpets on the way we walk, to accept and welcome us, and they will shower the flowers of love and blessings on us; because son of god is riding on us. They will say Hosanna to us, because we lowered our self as a donkey to become a peace maker.

Let's decide whether we are ready or not to lower our self as a donkey. Let's decide whether we allow the son of God to ride on us. Let's decide whether we walk on the red carpets of peace. Let's decide whether we need flowers of blessings to be showered on us. If the answer to these decisions are yes, then lower our self as a donkey. Then the son of God will ride on us.