LIFE AND THE MINISTRY OF JESUS (PART II)

CHRIST IS THE HOPE OF ALL NATIONS

Rabindranath Maharaj, affectionately called Rabi was born to staunch Brahmin Hindu parents in Trinidad in the Caribbean. His father was a highly revered priest in the community to an extent where people treated him like a mini god. Growing up in such strict religious family Rabi was made to believe that he too was a god himself. Rabi’s father died an untimely death that shook Rabi’s core beliefs and left him with many un answered questions. During his college vacations at Queens Royal college in Port of Rabi visited his aunt in the highlands of the Central range.

One day Rabi went into the near by mountains, while enjoying the pure nature he heard a hissing sound behind him in a bush. He turned around and shocked by the sight of a large snake with its raised head ready to strike. Rabi was paralyzed by the sight of this snake god he had worshipped as one of the many gods now ready to kill him. He could run and did not know how to escape that impending danger. Rabi was frozen with fear. At that moment he heard the voice of his mother as though she were standing in front of him repeating these words that he had long forgotten: “Rabi, if you are in real danger, and nothing else seems to work, there is another god you can pray to. His name is Jesus. Rabi tried to yell “Jesus Help me” but the desperate cry was choked and hardily audible. But something astonishing happened the snake dropped its head to the ground, turned around and wiggled off into the bushes. That desperate cry for help eventually led Rabi to accept Jesus as his personal savior and Lord.

Several factors were involved in the dramatic change in Rabi’s life. For one, some one gave a bible to his mother who in turn told Rabi that he could call upon Jesus for help. Secondly Rabi’s sincere quest, to know the truth after that near death encounter with the snake. Fast forward many years, currently Rabi is based in Southern California and is involved in evangelism all over the world. Heaven is filled with many people who had turned to Christ out of shear desperation. What ever may be the cause they have accepted Christ, the hope of all nations. (Taken from Death of a Guru)

We read in the book of Revelation 7: 9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;” What an amazing sight that would be? That would be the final picture of heaven. But we are not there yet, we have a huge task on our hands in order to see that dream picture realized.

CHRIST THE HOPE OF ALL NATIONS

From the very beginning Jesus was aware that He was to be in his father’s house. God declared, “For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”(Isaiah 56:7,8) This declaration must have shocked Israel at that time who had thought they were special and salvation (deliverance) was only for them and for no one else. But God had something bigger in mind when he said “The Sovereign Lord declares- he who gathers the exiles of Israel: I will gather still others to them, beside those already gathered. In other words God was saying to the Israelites I will save you but also there will be many more I will save and add to your number.

When it comes to Church and who and how many will be saved we often have limited understanding. Some have aversion for growth they we would rather like to keep numbers small and few for better management and for their own comfort. More people mean we have to share more resources and space with them. I don’t think any one think that way here in our Church. We would like to see this church filled with people from all nations worshiping God.

God made his intentions very clear through his servant Paul, Acts 17: 30 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” Just imagine if all 95,000 people in Quincy repented overnight and decided to attend a Sunday morning worship service would we have place to accommodate them in the churches of Quincy? It will be a real problem. But that is not the case when it comes to heaven. Jesus said in my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”(John 14:2-3). When Jesus said I am going to prepare a place for you, he was not only referring to the disciples present at that time but also all those who will believe in the name of Jesus as a result of their message.

Jesus not only said that he had concern for all people but he deliberately went after the sinners, proclaimed the message of the Kingdom saying “Repent the Kingdom of God is at hand” Jesus did not say I will show you the way to heaven like many other religious leaders but he said “I am the way, the truth and the Life no one comes to the father except through me.” If Jesus indeed is the truth and the way and the life, how would any one know about this wonderful truth if we keep it to ourselves? How could we be so selfish?

C.T Studd was a well known English cricket player; the captain of the Cambridge lived in the late 19th century (1883). He became a household name throughout Great Britain. He was the idol of undergraduates and school boys and admired by elders. Studd had become the Michael Jordan of cricket. A lot was going for him. When he accepted Jesus, he gave up his wealth, career and everything to preach the good news. He said, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."

How else would people know that Jesus is the savior of this world unless someone tells them? That’s why we do Missions both locally and overseas. We support ministries (Gospel for Asia) and missionaries who are in the field like Jessica, Gigie Burbank, Wapang and Davina. That’s why Eileen Souza for the past fifteen years serving to reach out to the homeless people in Boston. That’s why Tim and Amie are sacrificing their young lives to save many young girls from the clutches of prostitution. That’s why we support those who go on mission trips like Johanna is planning to do this summer. That’s why we raise finances to help support those who are getting trained to become missionaries (Matt & Lucas) The list can go on..

Some times we think only going overseas is doing missions there is nothing wrong in that. You don’t have to travel far and wide to do missions because the Lord is brining nations to our doorsteps. It is our responsibility to reach them for Christ. We must show concern for others. Oswald J. Smith (1889-1986) was a Canadian pastor and evangelist, enthusiastic missions’ supporter, poet, hymn writer, and author. He pastored congregations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto, this is what he has to say about the Mission of the Church.“No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once.” “Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.” "The mission of the church is missions" -- Oswald J. Smith

One of the topmost things in God’s agenda is to save sinners? What is on the top of your list? You may be wondering how you can be involved in the Mission of the Church. You can witness to your friends and invite them to church, you can go as a missionary yourself if the Lord leads you or you can volunteer in mercy related ministries. You can give generously for Missions; you can pray and support the missionaries. There are number of ways you can be involved in bringing the message of Christ to the hurting world.