STEPHENS JUSTIN RAJ: January 2009

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

New Testament

The word "faith", translated from the Greek πιστις (pi'stis), was primarily used in the New Testament with the Greek perfect tense and translates as a noun-verb hybrid; which is not adequately conveyed by the English noun. Pi'stis in the New Testament context is a physical action, based upon a mental belief and sustained with confidence. Belief, in this context is non-synonymous with faith because, belief primarily conveys the mental action, thought of confidence, trust, and/or firm persuasion, not the physical act. Depending on the context, the Greek word may also be understood to mean "faithfulness" or "fidelity" (cf. 1 Thess 3:7; Titus 2:10); indeed, Karl Barth consistently translates "pistis" as "the faithfulness of God" in his commentary Epistle to the Romans.

FAITH IN CHRISTIANITY

Christianity, faith, like in other Abrahamic faiths, centers on a belief in God, a belief in the reality of a transcendent domain that God administers as his kingdom, and in the benevolence of God's will or plan for humankind. Christianity differs in that it centers on a belief in the ministry of Jesus, and in his place as the prophesied Christ, as substantiated by his Passion and Resurrection.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

NURTURING GOD’S PEOPLE IN FAITH

Mk.6:30-44
The modern context of Christianity where healing and miracles are given much importance. God’s people are dull and barren, there is no spiritual growth. Christian faith has much importance and that has rooted in study of the word of God.

Jesus was moved with pity at the pathos of the crowd. He looked at them; they were so desperately in need; they wanted so much what he alone could give them; to him they were like sheep that had no shepherd.

• A sheep without shepherd cannot find the way.
• A sheep without shepherd cannot find its pasture and food.
• A sheep without shepherd has no defense against the dangers.
The feeding of the five thousand is a miracle which made a profound impression in the life of the disciples. After feeding the crowd, twelve baskets were collected. These baskets were Jews’ ceremonial ones.

The attitude of Jesus and the attitude of the disciples were shown here.

A. two reactions to human need.
• Send them away so that they can find something to eat. In effect these people are hungry. Get rid of them and let some one else worry about them.
• Jesus’ attitude is that I must worry about my brothers need.

B. Two reactions to human recourses.
• Any thing we have got is no use at all. Six month’s wages is not sufficient to feed this people.
• The little boy gave what he has in his hands.

STEWARDSHIP

# Two years back the news paper reported that thousands of people died of starvation while tons of food grains kept in the godowns which were eaten by rats.

# During the time of Tsunami crores and crores of rupees were collected by projecting the suffering of the Tsunami victims, but not even a small portion of it were spent for their benefit.

# The elected representatives of our nation took pledge in the name of God that they will stand for the cause of the poor and the marginalized, but they indulge in corruption and power play.

# The Church is called to be a steward of God’s Kingdom, but sank in the corrupted politics and power ply of groupism.

# we are called to the good steward of our faith and scripter. But now we project our faith in wrong way and sell it in the market in an attractive manner.

# Parents are expected to be the good steward of their children, but they sexually abuse their children mercilessly.

# A society is expected to be a good steward of its emerging generation, but they fill them with dirty things of sexual feelings and inspire them with wrong motives.
# The Church is called to be a steward of God’s Kingdom, but sank in the corrupted politics and power ply of groupism.

# we are called to the good steward of our faith and scripture. But now we project our faith in wrong way and sell it in the market in an attractive manner. E.g. The Davinci Code. Christian leaders gave the permission.

A steward is an employee or a servant whom an owner puts in charge of his affairs. The master knows and really trusts his steward. He is sure that he will manage his affairs well, even when he is out of sight. A steward will always keep his masters interest in mind. The steward accepts the fact that he is not the owner of the undertaking. The steward’s charge may be only temporary, but he takes care of it as if he were the owner himself; such is his loyalty to his master.

As Christians we are called to be the God’s stewards. The world and the life in it belong to God. He is our sovereign Lord and every thing comes from Him. Just as a steward is accountable to his master, Christians are accountable to God for the life and gifts he has been given.

In the parable of the ten minas Jesus reveals the profound significance of stewardship.

# Failing in the area of God given talents and abilities are meant that we are denying the Kingship of our Lord.

# Faithfulness in the little things brings reward which is the responsibility of greater things.

# It reveals that God is trusting us. Called Israel as a light to the nation but failed. God rejected them and accepted us. We are not specially privileged and will be thrown out if not faithful. E.g. The story of the teacher and a notorious boy.

# It tells us the test of the Almighty God. God does not tell us how, but it is our choice.

# From little to the great is God’s principle. Jesus lived 30 years as a carpenter, was a good steward of his house. Then he was raised into the savior of the world.

• Joseph is the best example of good stewardship in the house of Potiphar (Gen.39).

• The Good Samaritan is another example (Lk.10:27-37).

• II.King.12:15. Those who were involved in the maintenance of the temple were given enough and asked no account. It was done on faithfulness.

• I.Pt.4:10 says, “as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”.

CHRIST AND THE MARGINALIZED

CHRIST AND THE MARGINALIZED

Text: Mark. 1:40-45

God created human beings in His image and likeness. But the human sin brought the inequalities. God always share life with the marginalized and the rough realities of their existence. That is the unique character of God. His concern for human being is shown in the Bible and through the history.

· God hears the cry of the Israelites and came down to help them.

· The Blaks in America.

· The dalits and tribals in India.

· Ultimately Jesus came down to save the sinners.

In a way we all are marginalized: sin, sickness, social affiliation, financial situation, educational qualifications and so on.

Today’s NT reading reveals Jesus’ concern for the marginalized. Jesus heals a leper who was neglected in the society. Leprosy is often attributed to the divine curse. There is no date or place is given for this healing. Mark points out this as an example of Jesus’ healing power.

A. If you will you can make me heal. V. 40

· Here he affirms the sovereign will of God.

· Paul prayed for healing but the answer was my grace is sufficient for thee (II. Cor. 12:9)

· Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane that it is not my will but Thine (Mk.14:36)

Our prayers are often to make God’s will to do in our own way or our will in our own way. “God is neither too late nor too early but always at the right time”.

B. He stretched out His hands and touched him. V. 41

· Jesus touches a man beyond the social and purity barriers.

· His sympathy and compassion was expressed. It is giving the heart, mind power as a transforming experience.

· We need a personal touch

C. Go and show yourself to the priest. V. 44

· It was the Jewish custom (Lev.13:44).

· Jesus directs him to the priest who is the spiritual leader of the community. He himself does not take the authority, but conform to the order of the Jewish religion.

D. But he went out and began to talk freely. V.45.

· An exuberant disobedience. Emotion is not enough for the kingdom of God.

· It demands the head, a disciplined mind.

The Cross: the new vision of Christ’s serventhood.

Text: Mk. 10: 35-52.

Cross is the central fact of Christian life. Without cross Christianity would have become one among any other religions. Cross was a sign and symbol of humiliation and shame. But latter it became a symbol of respect.

The cross in itself does not have any significance. But it is Christ who makes the difference. The death on the cross is the most painful form of death. Theologically the term cross signifies the gospel of salvation, that Jesus Christ died for our sins. It is a sign of reconciliation. It is the symbol of union with Christ.

The request of James and John tells us something about them. It tells us that they are ambitious. They wanted to have first place in the earthly kingdom. It tells us that they had completely failed to understand Jesus. However this story tells us one shining thing about them that they still believed in Jesus. They could still connect the glory with the Galilean carpenter.

This story reveals something of Jesus standard of greatness. Jesus asked that “are you able to drink the cup that I drink…”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that the call of Jesus is to come and be crucified. Only through cross one can become the disciple of Christ. Bearing cross is not a tragedy but a beautiful relationship with Christ. The death may be the kind of sacrifice disciples made. Or when Luther left the monastery and entered into the world and suffered, or when a person leaves behind his old nature. For this Jesus called the rich young man but he could not be crucified with Jesus.

The mark of the disciple is to bear cross.