Jubilee: Proclaiming the Favorable Year of the Lord

Jubilee: Proclaiming the Favorable Year of the Lord 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 [NASB, emphasis added]

Nobody likes to miss Golden Jubilee. As I write this, I receive exciting phone calls telling me to come home for Jubilee. Indeed, any Jubilee is very exciting! However, I used to wonder what Jubilee is all about, didn’t you? Read along with me as I attempt to address it in this short article.

 What is Jubilee?

Nowadays, Jubilee is understood as many things. We even have Silver and Platinum Jubilee. The word Jubilee comes from Leviticus 25:8-10 which refers to the year after every seven sabbatical years, i.e. the 50^th year. The basis for this commandment is the Sabbath (meaning “rest”). God created everything in 6 days and rested on the 7^th day. Every 7^th day is a Sabbath, every 7^th year is a sabbatical year. Israelites shall work for 6 years and cease to work in the 7^th year. They don’t need to worry because God promises miraculous harvest in the 6^th year for them to survive till the harvest time of the 8^th year. Seven sabbatical years equal 49 years, and therefore the 50^th year (Sabbath of the Sabbatical Years) is known as the Jubilee.

 Significance of Jubilee

Long before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God gave this commandment to them through Moses on Mount Sinai to be taken seriously. However, there is no record in or outside the Bible about Israelites observing Jubilee. 2 Chronicles 36:21 indicates that the Israelites were taken to Babylonian exile because they failed to observe it. How they failed to observe it is not difficult for us to surmise as we have read the incident of Israelites going out to gather manna on Sabbath, even when Moses had commanded them not to (Exodus 16:22-36). They wouldn’t trust the power of God to sustain them.

 Jesus, our Jubilee

Apart from the themes of rest and trusting God, Jubilee is also to set captives free: free from slavery, free from debts, and allowing them to start afresh (Leviticus 25). This is what Isaiah is alluding to in Isaiah 61:1-3. In the book of Isaiah, we see him prophesying judgment and the coming Babylonian captivity of Judah. He also prophesied the Salvation of God to His people, especially in his last 27 chapters. He foresaw their mourning, and in effect is saying, “Rejoice for Salvation has come.” This passage is not exactly about the literal Jubilee of Leviticus 25, but in the words of John F.A. Sawyer, it is ‘a sermon on it.’

The phrase in v1, “to proclaim liberty” and in v2, “to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord” is the essence of Jubilee. According to v1, this is what the anointed prophet (Messiah) would be doing at the end of the exile. He comes to comfort His people, which is likened to the joy of Jubilee. The actions described in Isaiah 61 is not something the nation had done, nor could a mere prophet like Isaiah accomplish it. In Luke 4:17-21, Jesus said that it is fulfilled in Him.

 What to Proclaim?

The ultimate purpose of this proclamation is the glory of God, and its effect is the joy of the people clothed with the garment of praise (v3). Let’s focus only on the phrase “to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord” of verse 2.  The infinitive ‘to proclaim’ has the idea of drawing someone’s attention to establish contact. It is intentional and true for all, and accessible to all the hearers.

The message is the ‘favorable year’ of the Lord. It means it is the year acceptable and pleasing to God. There is no more condemnation, punishment or banishment. Isaiah foresaw their suffering and mourning in exile due to the judgment of God. Now, God is going to show His mercy on them. Isaiah contrasted their (present) suffering and (promised) joy in such a way that it looks nonsensical to neglect this proclamation. He pictured them as if they are yearning eagerly for this favorable year when they would come back to their land, rebuild their home and society. What a comfort for them at last!

This favorable year is ‘of’ the Lord. The people do not deserve, nor can they coerce or cajole God; it is the sheer acts of God’s Jubilee. God is the planner and He shall be the fulfiller too. Salvation is of the Lord.

 Why celebrate Jubilee?

First of all, our Jubilee is not that of Leviticus 25 for a few reasons. a) We aren’t Jews, but Christians; the Jubilee was good news to Israel, but not necessarily to non-Israelite. b) We aren’t under the Mosaic covenant, but the new covenant; we aren’t promised the miracles of the 6^th year. c) We don’t have any property assigned to us by God. Moreover, it also means we shouldn’t expect the blessing of Jubilee (cancellation of debts, returning of lands, etc.) without considering these facts.

We celebrate Jesus, the true Jubilee. In him is the forgiveness of sins, and the deliverance from slavery to sin and from the yoke of Satan. We are given the citizenship of heaven. We are made acceptable to the holy God. We are made sons and heirs of God. Our treasure is laid up in heaven. We are clothed with the righteousness of God. We are indwelled by the Spirit of God to live a just and godly life.

We Christians continue to proclaim this truth until the return of Christ that it is the favorable year of the Lord. As 2Cor. 6:2 reiterates, now is the acceptable time for salvation. If you have not received Christ, wouldn’t it be joyful to hear Him say, “Come to me you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out, but give eternal life” (Matt 11: 33; John 6:37; 10:28)? And must we not be faithful to His calling as He has been faithful to us all these 50 years? And when we pursue Christlikeness, all the significance and implications of Jubilee shall make sense to us and others!

Recommended Readings:

1.      Social Justice and the Poor by Kevin De Young

Mass Conversion In India - An Analysis

pictorial representation (not actual)

THE ANALYSIS OF MASS MOVEMENTS IN INDIA

I.                  Introduction

Mass conversion to Christianity is happening among both Roman Catholics and Protestants. The effectiveness of “mass conversion” must be a matter of serious concern for every church planter. A study done in 1928 by a team on mass movement is the major background for this article. That study was the first critical survey of mass movements in India. It was financially supported by the Institute of Social and Religious Research, New York in association with the National Christian Council of India. At the onset, a few definitions are given so that the terms are rightly understood in the context.

Mass-Movement is said to happen when a group (not necessarily everyone, but more than a family) is accustomed to exercise social and religious authority over the life of individuals that compose the group. It happens not just in Christianity, but also in Hinduism. Caste- It is not easy to define. Though it can be divided into four types, in practice it is more than hundreds. It is more than the ancestral occupation. For example, some Brahmin serves, and also some Sudras become warriors and kings. Outcast does not mean ostracized. It means untouchable by higher caste such as by a Brahmin. When somebody is ostracized based on defying caste, he is as good as dead. He can either take refuge in the lower caste or just be lost. A person cannot exist outside the group (caste) in a normal village environment.

Now the below discussion has been divided under various headings to trace from its inception and also to highlight the strength and weakness to serve as a guiding policy for future Church planting.

II.               How these Churches came into existence?

One person will be saved and on account of this person after a few months or a year, or a good amount of group will be converted. This is how Churches were founded. Such type of phenomenon can be noted with the Chuhras caste in Punjab, Karens in Burma, Gonda caste in Patna, Mehras in Bastar, Mala caste in Raghavapuram, Gara caste in Orissa, Uraons & Mundas in Chhota Nagpur, and the Chamars in Ghaziabad (The founders of the Indian Church by Dr. Donald A. McGavran). The powerful Christian testimony of the particular individual was the magnet that attracted others also to the Gospel.

III.           Social and Economic Background of the Converts

·        Social

The survey documents reveal that the mass converts are low caste people. They are poor, illiterate, and exploited by the higher caste people. They face untouchability, restriction of trading rights, service deprivations, difficulty in getting drinking water, discrimination in schools, and were enforcing themselves an attitude of inferiority. Initially, they faced lots of persecution for their conversion. This would also cause a few people to turn back to Hinduism.

·        Economic

Mass-movement seems to happen only among poor people. However, the survey documents show that a few well-to-do people are influenced after seeing the lifestyle of these converted people. The survey reveals the following pattern of the people. Caste places restrictions against acquiring wealth and so they were very poor. The sources of income of these people are like labor work in fields in villages, coolie, labor in town and cities, owning agricultural lands, cattle, goats, and poultry. People also emigrating from villages for better opportunities like sweepers, servants in hotels, domestic services, stone cutters, clerks, chowkidars,(a few teachers, doctor, nurse). They are in heavy debts and sometimes forced to do labor, work without pay. They struggle with the very basic need for food and also an average person has one or two meals per day.

IV.           Strengths of the influence of Mass conversion on the converts

The survey paints a good picture regarding mass-movement conversion for the following reasons.

·        Social

They have stopped responding to karma as they worship the “true God”. They have a desire to share the blessings with others. Social status has improved due to personal cleanness and education.

·        Economic

Mission agencies were willing to support the converts. They came forward to help depressed people through health service and better housing. The new lifestyle reduced wasteful expenditure and their education enabled better employment and more money.

·        Spiritual

In the church, believers were growing spiritually by practicing and memorizing creedal knowledge. The believers gave importance to Sunday for attending the church. The Church was very strict concerning family and marriage.

·        Witnessing

After getting converted evil practices were cut down in villages like gambling, eating dead meat, sorcery practices. Changes that took place, in honesty and changes of the temperament of convert are worth noting. New practices took over like– worshiping God, singing hymns, and church service. These allowed them to witness the Gospel. People of the villages noticed that changes in them. Thus they could witness through their good behavior as noted down earlier.

·        Schools

The initiative to start schools was a great blessing. The motives were to equip them to read the Bible, to train the next generation, and for the abatement of social oppression and poverty. Mass movements lead to the common idea of planting the Church and Schools. They were able to get a good education which led to their socio-economic growth.

V.              Weaknesses of the influence of Mass conversion on the converts

·        Social

The woman started taking the lead in certain settings even in Churches. The issue of child marriage still persisted. Westernization was adopted.

·        Economic

Imitational expenses were high.

·        Spiritual

Indiscipline was observed in Church services in the form of interruptions and distractions. Practicing Idolatry and the use of charms still continued among some. Church administration was in Chaos. Less instruction before baptism, baptism was given in the mass/mela, and also systematic teaching/discipleship was lacking after the mass conversion. Poverty in the initial days caused them to depend on the missionary agencies to support. Church Discipline was not firmly practiced and also the Pastor showed partiality in certain cases. Pastoral care also lacked leading to stunted Christian growth. This could be the main reason why the Sudra community mass converts engaged in remarriage and other vile things even though once they were boldly proclaiming  Jesus Christ.

·        Schools

The focus changed from evangelizing to the development of the community and the missionaries were heavily burdened. The literacy program was not also very successful.

VI.           What do we learn from Mass movements?

We live in a time where people criticize mass conversion movements. They criticize the motives underlying Mass-movement conversion. Some believe that it is a heresy and is entirely secular and most of them– unworthy. Some became Christian for materialistic gain. Mass-movement is not a missionary method. We cannot practice or create it. There are lots of incidents telling us to be very cautious about it. However, multitudes are coming to know the Truth as they bring along with their relatives and neighbors. Moreover, in Indian villages, the caste group is the chief center of influence for effective witnesses.

VII.       Conclusion

 We must be thankful that the mass conversions took place according to the sovereign will of God. However, as enlightened by the survey results we should not be satisfied at this point. If so, all our suspicion (nominal Christian, westernization, heresy, self-righteousness) would become true. We should be doing more. We should disciple the converted souls. They should be equipped with the sound doctrine for a strong conviction. The mass movement lacked proper Church administration. So it is highly mandated that this movement needs more pastoral care, fellowship and must be organized under proper leadership.

Random WSU7

09 July 2019 b WSU

14 July 2019 WSU

CHURCH AND LOCKDOWN

—Challenges And Hopes In Times Of Lockdown—

Dear Pastors, Church Members and Christians,

I pray and hope that God's grace is sufficient for us and our church at all times, even in this unusual time of Lockdown. For Christians, to not able to come to church for this long, when we are in good health is very unusual. We don't enjoy it. Yes, there were few Sundays, especially in winter, when we wished to stay under the blanket and skip church. But that feeling is not what we wear in our hearts this time. I am sure every Christian is missing the church fellowship after 5 consecutive Sundays being gone just like that. Sure, we might not be pious and devoted like the Psalmists (Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:10; Ps. 122:1) but we do agree as genuine Christians that we love to be in the house of God. The teaching of Hebrew exhorting us not to give up the habit of meeting together is not just an issue of sin for us anymore. (For if we skip church continuously, it's a sin because the Scripture commanded us not to. Any disobedience to the teaching of the Scripture is a sin.) Now, it is an issue of missing the blessings of fellowship— the delights, encouragements, services we missed from one another.

Oh! How we miss the fellowship! It is rightly so because we are to grow in the community. A Christian cannot exist individually as a lone Christian. Our calling as a Christian is in the body of Christ, where Christ is the head, and the church is His body. Each of us is a member of the body as an ear, eye, hand, etc. As an eye cannot exist alone and as an eye needs an ear and hand and so on, without a community of believers it is unthinkable for a Christian to exist. Therefore, missing the church in this Lockdown is a sign of being a true Christian. 

We have only a few people here in our church. Actually, looking at the nature and prospect of the ministry, it is difficult to call it a church, but we all know that there's no perfect church anywhere since the beginning of the conception of the first visible local church. So, we do not lose heart to go on as a body of Christ. Though we are young and immature, we understand the nature of the church and continue to seek and value the importance of meeting together at least once a week. So, even in this time of Lockdown, we convene Zoom Meeting. We sing, pray, read and study God's word, exhort and give updates about one another. Those who had the habit of skipping church continue to do so with this and that excuses. Those who love to have fellowship continue to show up irrespective of the timing. While the faithful realize the blessedness of fellowship in this Lockdown, the ignorant enjoy the suspension of church services. I suppose they fool their conscience by saying to themselves, "The government declared Lockdown, so stay home no matter what!" Before the Lockdown, even the nominal Christians had some sense of guilt for not coming to church. Now, they can fool their conscience from the feeling of guilt.

But you who are sensible know that feelings and reality are different. You can be guilty and not feel guilty. Also, you can feel guilty and actually be not guilty. As Ben Shapiro would always put in an effective way, "Fact doesn't care your feelings." Those ignorant who don't feel guilty for not coming to church now has always been guilty. And those faithful who feel terrible and guilty for missing the church for so long aren't guilty. You see, it's not the issue of circumstances, it's the issue of the heart, "Do you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride?"

We are not naive to have unrealistic expectations in this time of the pandemic, but we expect God to work in His time for His glory alone. We have been open to the idea that those who weren't able to wake up in time for Sunday worship service (before the Lockdown) would be able to join us if we schedule it in the evening. But it is evident that those who are faithful will remain faithful irrespective of circumstances, and those who are ignorant will remain ignorant even if an angel from heaven shows up. Abraham's reply to the rich man concerning the request of the rich man to send Lazarus to warn his brothers from the reality of his damnation in the story narrated by Jesus is indeed telling (Luke 16:19-31). A friend of mine once asked, "Why do you convene a meeting in Zoom seeing that it has only 45 minutes duration, why don't you use WhatsApp or other apps because you are few in numbers? Well, my reply is, "We know we are few, but we aren't supposed to be few. There are people who profess to be Christians, and by their profession, they should be joining us. Whether they join us today or not we are reserving a space for them where they should rightly occupy even if they don't show up today. And BTW, they may show up next time." Well, it has been 5 Sundays, and those who weren't serious before the Lockdown continue to be unmindful of. Some have hardened themselves by terminating the means of communication. As Pastor John MacArthur wisely counseled that a preacher should preach to the ones on the seats, and not be bothered with the empty seats. And as there are tares and wheat in the same field, we must rejoice with the wheat and not be discouraged with the tares of the field.

In summary: The challenge is, of course, the social distancing and the technical issues that come with the technology. Also the hardness of the hearts of some! The hope of ministry is that the Grace of God continues to work in us irrespective of circumstances, that the faithful remain faithful, and realize the grace of God in ordinary times (before the Lockdown) which we hardly took time to consider upon when things were going OK. As we endure this time, Pastors, as Paul exhorted Timothy, we must preach in season and out of season (2 Tim 2:2). Christians, we must remember the question of Jesus, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). And Church Members, be of good cheers that Jesus is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against His bride (Matthew 16:18).

Some intriguing observations concerning Passion Week in the time of this Pandemic.

The world is practicing social distancing, but social media helps us keep in touch with one another. We Christians are thankful for the technology. We are not naive of the value of technology, nor are we anti-science, anti-technology, or anti-intellectual. Rather we contend that the reason for all this development of technology and its possibility is because the God of the Bible endowed human beings the potential and the moral obligation to be so. In the beginning, when God created human beings, he blessed them and commanded them to have dominion over the things of the earth. The word “dominion” in Genesis 1:28 has the idea of ruling over, subduing to our advantage. So, man building bridges, curving tunnels, exploring oceans, and etc., defying the law of physics (nature) for our advantage is commendable and not surprising to Christians.

In this pandemic, as the scientists search for the cure and as we Christians stay indoor out of love for our fellow neighbors, we continue to need one another and keep in touch with one another through social media. It is unfortunate that we have to stay indoor for this long especially that we cannot gather together for the events of Passion Week. However, God continues to work in a mysterious way for our own good to the praise of His glory. Here are some of the intriguing observations I see concerning Passion Week in this time of Pandemic. I called it “intriguing,” because they are good but at the same time, we need to be very discerning. I would want them to be far better than these, to go deeper than the peripheral, into the truths revealed in the Scripture.

1.      Some people have a better theology in their WhatsApp status update than their actual theological convictions.

It is good to see people expressing their faith in social media. Actually, we Christians are to be salt and light of the world. With the arrival of the Passion Week, many are updating their WhatsApp Status with gospel-centered quotes, and theologically profound verses. On the other hand, it is also true that some of them have no idea what they are uploading. They are just sugarcoating their spiritual looks. Social media has become like the Athens of Paul’s day. They are for people to tell or hear some new things, new fads, or new trends. While some are doing with a theological conviction consistent with their beliefs, others aren’t. Sure, with the technology, one can easily access the best quotations of our times, the most relevant lines of our day. You could find almost anything by just googling it. Even without googling, there are ways how certain things get your attention through a way of recommendation by artificial intelligence. Moreover, part of what it gets to be in social media is to receive and to see many (if not all) the latest stuff of the time.

My concern is regarding the skin-deep profession of faith. It comes easily and goes away easily. While it may (Oh! I pray) stir up convictions to some of the viewers, it doesn’t last long. One of the great penetrating truth in all these is the availability of the word of God for all of us. God’s word, sound doctrine, Christian ethics, faithful teachings are at our reach. We have no excuse for not accessing them when in need. Also, what it means is though how sinful we may have become, still, the image of God in us continues to reveal to us our moral obligations, what is good for us and what we should be doing. I would like to compare with the sentiments offered by most of the politicians and public speakers in times of calamities. They would often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them!” Well, we all know that such statements have become just a way of reacting politely, and not meaning anything. As Donald Trump questioned the sincerity of Nancy Pelosi’s prayer for him, much of the spiritual sentiments of our days are often just a cultural way of conversation. But in expressing so, we are demonstrating that we really have the obligation to do so, which is morally good and right to do so.

2.      Genuine Christians miss the church: the fellowship of the saints, the gathering, the worship, the singing, the unison of prayer, and the hearing of the word of God.

Christian missing the church, which I mean is the emotional aspect of wanting to go church, and not the action of skipping church, is actually deeply encouraging. One of the great revelations of the suspension of church worship services is the distinction of the genuine Christians from the cultural Christians. The genuine Christians come to church because they love to in the manner of Psalmist and early Christians. Oh! How the psalmist loved to be in the worship place! He would rather be in the place of worship a day than to be anywhere else thousands of days. The cultural Christians come to church because it looks cool to be spiritual sometimes. As long as the culture favors, they go along with it. When the culture of social distancing and the government says otherwise, so, the love of gathering not only vanished but they even repudiate those who seek to gather.

It is unnatural for a Christian who has a normal life to be skipping the church consecutively. It is a sin to do so according to the teaching of Hebrews. Just as the deer pants for water, so Christian must long after the fellowship of the saints. It’s natural for Christian to be in the church. It is really encouraging to see Christians expressing their desires to come to church. I admire and share the concerns of Tom Buck when he tweeted here and there questioning the suspension of Church as non-essential while, on the other hand, permitting the industry of abortions and fake news media as essential. Actually, it is not the high morale of an individual Christian that makes him yearn for the gathering of the saints, but it is the Spirit of God that works in us. It is a theological reality.

3.      Some Christians are popularizing the truth written by the humanist and naturalist regarding the environment, which they have discovered on the basis of a Christian worldview, but with a pretense of finding it from their obfuscated worldviews.

Every now and then, social media is sharing the effects of lockdown on the environment. There are really some good outcomes of this lockdown. I am not an environmental scientist to come out with scientific evidence that the sky is brighter, the air is purer, and what else, but I sure hope and believe so. It should be a thing of delight to share such good news, but most of what has been said and shared are unfortunately virtue signaling. They condemn man in third-person as if they themselves are above reproach. And they exalt animals and nature as if they are of more value. What is a Christian response to this? A Christian knows that he is responsible for his sins and his actions. We all are wicked people without exception. No matter what we say or mean, what we do or try to do, how we try to do, each of our motives is mixed with sins. We affirm with the book of Genesis that all the intentions of man are only evil continually. We all live in a fallen world and are inescapable in our participation of sin, directly or indirectly.

The basis to care for the environment is very much a Christian teaching. We are just a steward of God’s world. And by the way, God is not done with the creation, He is preserving it. No greed of man nor threat from an extraterrestrial object can exhaust the resources of the earth unless God wills so. In fact, God in an amazing way has a way of preserving the environment. For the Israelites, He has the concept of Sabbath, Sabbatical year, and Jubilee. It could be true that the lockdown we are experiencing could be a way of preserving the environment, but we don’t know that for sure. But no matter what, only human among the creations of God is the bearer of God’s image. What that means is Human is of infinite value if we are to weigh it in the scale of our material possession. Sure, what is the profit if one gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

I can’t intellectually appreciate the activities and saying of the environmentalist and naturalist especially when they are outspoken deniers and rejecters of God. They have no basis for their values from their worldviews. Some of the things they said are true but it is because they happened to live in God’s world, though they denied its Lawgiver. It has to be true because God created the world and preserves it continually through various means. With the true thing they discovered, they mixed it with this and that with their atheistic assumptions. And the unthinking people received it without discerning what is true and what is not. They are the hijacker of Christian worldviews. As I think of this I remembered what Ravi Zacharias said of Richard Dawkins when Dawkins forgot the name of a book and said “Oh God!” Ravi commented that Dawkins had invoked the name of the Lord whom he denied in order to help him deny His existence. It’s true that even the atheist can only exist in God’s world.

4.      Many have expressed the reality of God’s mysterious grace in this pandemic without acknowledging the Creator but attributing to the Coronavirus.

One of the resounding testimony of the Bible is that God is and always remains faithful. He remains faithful even if we are wicked and gone astray. He sends sunshine and rain for the just and unjust alike. So, it is not a surprise for Christian to see many people saying good things that come with the coronavirus. People are dying of this coronavirus, more than a lakh have succumbed to this virus already. It is also true that with or without coronavirus over 56 million people are dying every year. The bible says it is God who gives life and takes life. We can’t live longer nor die earlier than the will of God. God continues to preserve us. Despite the falling of stock markets, and the rate of unemployment soaring up, many are thanking for some of the things they get in this time such as the quality time with family members, a vacation like suspension of works, a generosity from neighbors, a love for a fellow human, and many more.

We know that these are not the gifts of coronavirus. The virus cannot give anything. In fact, these are abstract things that cannot be handed over to someone as gifts which we normally do when we talk about giving. Also, this virus is invisible (to our naked eyes). If there is anything this virus can give is itself, which of course is the one we dislike most currently. We Christians know that it is God who is working for our own good to the praise of His glory. It is His mysterious grace. I agree with Obadiah Sedgwick, a Puritan: “No good man ever lacked anything that was good for him. I may lack a thing which is good, but not which is good for me: ‘For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.’ ‘God has a special providential care for His church because we are the apple of His eye, His children, His lambs, and His jewels. God's care for His people is gracious, tender, mysterious, glorious, exact, and often extraordinary.’” This should help us to worship God.

5.      Some Christians are delighted to share the live streaming link of their church service or of other churches like those competitive exams minded people who were uncannily excited to share the link of each and every match of Barcelona vs Real Madrid, and McGregor vs Mayweather.

It is delighted to see Christians seeking for some kind of Christian fellowship through any means. We thank God that many churches could continue to minister to their members through live streaming technology. It’s equally a delight to see Christians inviting and encouraging others to join them by sharing the live streaming links of their churches or of others. It reminds me of some people who are too excited to share the news of their favorite footballers and celebrities. Not a long time ago, when La Liga wasn’t suspended, many have the habit of updating their WhatsApp status update about the matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The first time I heard of “El Clasico,” I thought it was chocolate, but it turned out to be one of the most exciting events of the Laliga football league. I also remember the time my WhatsApp world is filled with the news of the match between McGregor vs Mayweather. Many were excited to watch the match. While the watching of El Clasico is not amoral, even if that means staying up late till 03:00 AM, and inviting others to join is also not amoral, it is telling what our hearts are after. In fact, sometimes I wondered why some people, who are supposed to be preparing for competitive exams are so obsessive about football matches. Their online activities seem to suggest that they are looking for a career in a football club.

My main concern is not that some people are too obsessive about football matches (though I am concerned somehow) but that not many professing Christians are taking the time to watch the live streaming of the church services in this lockdown when they are staying at home with almost no works. In fact, even if there is any work, must a Christian not lay aside his time to spend time with the word of God? What I am trying to accomplish from this comparison is to encourage more people to be committed (even if not excited) to the live streaming or church services in this time of lockdown, and also to encourage one another to do so by means of sharing the links. At the same time, we thank God for the many preachers who have decided to preach to webcams and empty rooms. That’s not a very comfortable experience. Also, we thank God for pastors and leaders of small churches who are organizing meetings through video conferencing apps. It is the experience of many that technology comes with lots of distractions. No Christians want this to be normal, nor should never be, and will never be. Nothing will prevail against the bride of Jesus Christ for He continues to build the Church.

RAVKAI TATNIMEI GE (LAM/THOUC)

(Mi blogpost hei Mukti Namdai Baptist Church tuang KaanpatNgai-KaithanKumei-Jubilee Celebration tuang Souvenir khou contribute sulou mei article e. Posted with permission. For an English version mi khou click/tap sulou nu e.)

Aniu namdic hei Khristian riak tatchuy mak bam sinic Khristian ningmei raana dithe. Aseikum hei, aniu kapumna Khristian ningmei raana dithe tuna “Kaanpatmei Ngai,” raengclou bam the. Howzat zat makmei Ravkai gayhak meine kasiamh luailou bamthe! Tiki aniu Ravkai khatni Ravkai kunimei ge thay minc bam dai cho? Samlapna khou, Nang Ravkai kulinhg/tatlingh bam dai cho? Mei nche (article/latdin) khou Ravkai tatnimei ge kathay ncham kho.

Reymei khou, Ravkai tabui cho tumei zaengrui:

Khristian ningmei guay hei paapc kandic khou rui Ravkai lungc khou kau lou tuang e. Mi Ravkai kiu Poubaumei Jisu Khrista pumc kahak kiu the! Khristian ningmei guay, (kaganv kathuic, kabamv kathuic, zaatc kathuic) Khrista Pumc, Ravkai tumei khou bam e (1Korinthian 12:12-13). Ravkai khou kazauh makna, meic Khristian sw makge! Khristian kathuic hei Khrista khang e, khatnic Khrista khou bam e.

Kummetiki, mikrui howmei phwamling, thing-ntauh rui kasiamh loumei Ravkai, Khristian ningmei guay rui kubammei ninai e. Kabamv azuh khou, mik rui howmei Ravkai peyna nai e.  “Tiki, mik rui howmei Ravkai the tuna sana bam mei guay ko Ravkai ling day cho?” tuna thanv khang ni nai e. Baibal, Kathancmei Latding khou mikrui howmei Ravkai peyna nai e. Kathaichuymei nunc ruina Ravkai twna kau khang key nganvmei khou kalangv kathumh taanv, taanc nina e tuna sa e: 1. Ravguangc lat (Baibal) dinhmei 2. Kristian thiak suihmei (Duilupmei khatni Maniak taektw) 3. Sinriapmei. (Matthiu 18:15-20 kathai lou pu o).

Heizaengrui, kabamv akhat khou Baibal kathai nchamcmei phwam, kai akhat khou Rakalum kariumei, hamhethei kamung akhat khou dungc kariumei, twmei guay hei Ravkai twna kau khang kazi makge. Internet, YouTube khou Baibal pary nkingmei, hamhethei TV khou Ravkai service zaohmei, twmei guay hei– Ravkai, meictuang phwamling khou kumei lev khatse nchammak ge. Kapaengc-kazaengc khou bam mei guay nunc rui mi hei kakhanh chuy lou o.

Kaneimei khou, Ravkai lwnlung zaengrui:

Ravkai lwnlung zauc pukhou, Khristian kathuic Ravkai kulingh nina e. Ravkai (Phwamling) hei teipumc (meipum) kumcna ring e. Kristian kathuic, meic-sing khang Bumaeng kaipat kei-nganv mei khou akhat khat nai e. Aposal Paul ruina 1Korintian 12:12-31 khou, Khristianmei nunc ta meipumc nanu khang kida lou e: Khristian asaek hei, meimik e tei, asaek rui nukuanc, baanh, tan, le na e. Aniu Khrista pumc khou e; Kamei rui Kapi the. Aniu khat khat khang pumhsuna ringh khang siamruai sw kari nina e.

Aniu asaek meizak makna kumsa e, “Ravkai tatmei guay ko kumhmei khiatnahmei naibo? Nchamc rap! Tingkao tatnimei, meicram, lum lum ruideh! Ganvkhat ta latzan suri o!” Tikih, ringhmei malav nuh-makmei Ravguangc lat ruina tho, nang, ai Khrista pumc khou bam nina e tuna dinclou e. Nukuancna swna, hamhethei, mikna suna ringc bammei mak e. Jared C. Wilson rui, “Nguay, Aniu meira meirana swna kanloumei/ ringhbamv phang e (khristian su e), tikih meira meirana Khristian ningni nimei thiak khou ningkhang hamhmak e” tuna saamei tei nchumh e!

Asaek rui meizakna sa e, “Ai kumhmei rui tabui siamruai sungam, sw thayna cho!?” Nchumh nana Ravkai khou guangmeina sinina peyna khang siamruai e twmei, zaengayhakna thaylou o. Ravkai khou, mei guang rauna, dungc nru rangh rang bam ethei, mansei guang dungc bammei guay, thith thithna, zaengsina dungc bam tanc e. Kalingsa pw khou, tingsi, neihsu, puanlu, ganhkey, khumngai, lat-lu naibam sini, Ravkai khou guang tanh tanmei guay ta howna peyna khang lungning mik rak gaanc kah kah e. Neihla e, nzian e, pian e. Ravkai guangmei zaengrui, heikummei gay kanmei ta malaa rio. Machunh o.

Heininai e twmeithu, kapahloumei/langloumei Ravkai Gaanthaih nunc hei Phwamlingmei nunc ta lauziugaengpou kumc gaengclou khang e. Kaniu rui dinclou, zaylou, makavlou, nchamlou nina e– phwamling taanv taanc thuih ngam khang. (Ephesiamei 4:7-16). Ravkai kulingmei nunc rui Khrista lwn luicna daicthau puni e. Ibrimei 13:17 khou hylou e, “Nangniw ta zayloumei nunc lat tei piu o. Kaniwbangc khou bam o. Kaniw tuang taanv chakh tei kaniw Ravguangc khou tiini la pui zaeng rui, kaniw nangniw bumaengc ta kadanna zauc bam tuang e. Kaniw neihlana taanc bam khang latpiu o. Kaniw chwn sw ryanrana taanc e thei hei tei nangniw khang gaengmak ge.” Aniu Ravkai tatmei hei Ravguangc rui chakbam e.

Kathumhmei khou, Ravguangc lat rui katiumei zaengrui:

Ibrimei 10:24-25 khou kumna katiulou e, “Nzian thay khang khatni gaytaanv taanc thay khang khatkhat ta akumhna katiu thau kho cho twmei kakhanh kho. Meic gaanv saekc kaniw chav sw bammei tei kumcna, aniu guang kariumei khoun taamv rikho. Poubauhmei tuang Tingmik anaguang the twmei nangniw howpui thei layna aniu khat khat ta katiu thau mbu hay hay bam di kho.”“Ntaamvrikho” (v.25) tuna sabammei hei, kum tanctipui zaeng rui e. Ravkai guang-nliauhmei, guang makmei nai geic tipui zaeng rui e. Kaling sa pwkhou, nang, ai ne aliauh hak thao rapmei neic tho nai ding e. Asaekc tho Ravkai guang makmei kacha sw the (aniu tingzin Ravkai guang rau meikum). Khatzat tho sa e thei, Paul ruina kum sa tuang e, “Ravkai guang tanh tan kho!” Guangliang guat, kanei meita hamh e, tiki guang tanh tanmeita e. Ravkai ku alingh nina e.

          Ravkai guang nini mei ganv khou guangna, tat dat, khangni hamh makge. Mansei “guayna guang kariu” nina e (v25). Khat khat ta ntinna thay nina e. (Ntinna thay mak ge thei, ntinna thay mak san guang kariu ni tuang e.) Aniu guang kariumei hei khat khat ta katiu thau karih khang ni e. Ravkai khou reireina dungna tat dat tumei hei ravchap tat duhmei nunc thiak hamh e, aniu Ravguangc tani kachuc, Ravguangc lat ni nking, khat khat ta ni kachuc ni tuang e. Kum pu khou rui aniu “nzian thay” khatni “gaytaanv taanc” pat geicpuni (v.24).

Luaimei khou, aniu mi lat than kho, “Nang, ai Khristian sw khang (tingkao ku khang) Ravkai tat tanh tan ni tuang cho?” Meiko changh tho hamh makge! Nnaumei guay Ravkai guang ngam makmei gan nai e. Ravchap tatmei Doctors nunc guay ni, meicpui nah puanc nimei nai ethei, Ravkai khou rui sini katum kaluakna mipui daeng tho nkhav lou khang tat re. Tikih Kristianmei de tuna sana, pumhgay lana Ravkai guang hak makmei nunc tei tho, kaniu Khristian ling hamh makmei ram lung e. Aniu Khristianmei nunc Khrista rui kunghmei Phwamling ta nzianna Kalumlu hymeipu kumna, sa lak na cho, “Ai RINGHPOUC khou ramh khat ney e; ramh khatna ai kahaw e: ai ringh saanv RINGHPOUC kai khou bam khang, mi khou tei karamgay ta makumh bam khang, khatni kamei rui zaylou khang ney bam khang e” (Kalumlu 27:4); “Nang tuang Ravkai khou zaeng neihkhat bam lou mei hei; kabamv baih thangc zaeng 1000 bammei suangc gay e. Ai mu meicsimei kai khou lungc bammei suangc, aRacguangc kai kaimun nkhwanmei sw kannii e” (Kalumlu 84:10)?


Ronglat khou hilou mei asaek hei ni palou nu e:
1. BAIBAL PAC NI KIH PAC THUYLAK E TA (If You Struggle To Read The Bible)
2. RAVKALUM LINGH NI KIH KALUM THUYLAK E THEI... (If You Struggle To Pray)