GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO MUCH…..

The Lord says, “I am the vine and you are the branches.  Whoever remains in Me and I in Him will bear much fruit, for you can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:15)

PART II

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After their mission we can see that seventy two of them came back, safely, in great joy shouting, “Lord, even demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your Name!”  Lord Jesus witnessed their mission saying, “I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven.” 

Again Lord Jesus emphasized, “I have given you the authority so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy and nothing will hurt you.” 

A silent advice speaks to us.  Do not be proud or over-boastful, it is His Name, Power and Authority that performs the transformation in the people for the glory of God, we are mere workers.  The Master commands that we are witnesses. 

The more God works through you be more humbly submissive at His strong feet.  When He trims you accept and bear its pain, looking at the Master who is on the Holy Cross.  You will regain your strength since He wants you to grow as well as simply walk in the path of Your Master. 

He continued saying, “Don’t bother about what happened to your enemy.  Rejoice because there are greater things happened in you all.  Your name is written in the Living Book by the Father Almighty.  Exalt Him and enjoy for the Father is pleased with your mission.”

Dear readers of KLWC, I should not forget to mention one of the mysteries of our Lord’s mission which is a lesson to all of us.  They all went empty handed.  Did they complain to the Lord about being unwelcomed in homes, what happened to all of them, whether they were given food, water or shelter, where they went, what kind of reception they received, how long it took, the attitude of people. 

Nothing mattered

We are sure that, the disciples behaved as the Master had instructed them.  They went all over and exercised what they learned in their school.  More freely because the Master was not physically present.  The curtains were not put down. 

At that Lord Jesus was filled with joy by the Holy Spirit and said to the Father, “Lord of Heaven and earth! I thank you! Because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.  Yes Father, this was how you wanted it to happen.

After offering bouquets of gratitude from His joy-filled meek heart, turning to the disciples, He spoke to them in private!

“How fortunate you are to see the things you see.”

Filled with so much love, He continued, “I will tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see but they could not; and to hear what you hear but they did not.”

Lord Jesus remembered all those ancestors who suffered for Salvation.

Yes dear ones, Lord Jesus rejoiced in all fullness.

“There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His disciples didn’t even have the time to eat. So He said to them, “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

The crowds realizing that He was going, began to follow Jesus. Moved by the requests and demand of the people, Jesus stayed with the crowd, while He sent his disciples to rest.

In our busy schedule, running to capture the crowd of this world, let us not forget the Lord’s word of warning: “I am the vine and you are the branches.  Whoever remains in Me and I in Him will bear much fruit, for you can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:15)

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ 

GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO MUCH…..

The Lord says, “I am the vine and you are the branches.  Whoever remains in Me and I in Him will bear much fruit, for you can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:15)

The Sovereign Lord chose and preserved Blessed Mary, His beloved daughter to be the Mother of His Son, Jesus Christ.  She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Little Jesus lived in Nazareth obedient to His mother and foster father St. Joseph.  He lived a quite life, grew both in body and wisdom gaining favor with God and men.  At the appropriate time of the Almighty Father for His mission, John the Baptist was appointed by God to prepare the straight path for the Lord to introduce Jesus Christ to the people saying, “There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through prophets, but in these last days He has been vocal to us through His beloved Son Jesus Christ. 

You are acquainted with the message He sent to the people of Israel proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ who is the Lord of all.  Beginning in Galilee, the great event took place throughout the land of Israel.  He went everywhere doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. 

The Evangelist St. Luke beautifully narrates that Jesus went through the towns and villages of Jerusalem teaching and preaching the Good News. (Luke 13)

Meanwhile, He called and gathered His disciples and taught them.  The moment they heard the call, they left all their belongings and joined Jesus Christ.  Let us look at the Lord’s academy in the true light of scripture - they were sent two by two to the world ahead of Him to every place and town where He Himself was to go.  Just as mothers instruct their children when sending them to school, so also Jesus gave some instructions and advises to his disciples. 

Dear ones in Christ, I wish to drawn your attention to His instructions. 

Let us imagine seventy two of His disciples marching out two by two in different direction – the sight brings us immense joy which is inexpressible. 

Lord Jesus must have been so content and from the depth of His heart glorified Sovereign God the Father.  Both might have saluted each other and the Father may have applauded His Son’s hands. 

The third person, the innocent Dove must have flapped His wings and danced around Them. 

What a heartfelt vision!

 Truly tears of victory overflows.  May the Name above all names; the Supreme Lord Jesus be praised, honored, glorified by all people from every tribe, language, nation and race.  Alleluia!  Amen!

The Gospel is not describing why He sent His disciples two by two, together.  But as you go through His teachings one of the main reason for this is in line with His Promise, “Whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven.”  (Matthew 18:19). 

So also God our Father created woman because He found that it was not good for one to be alone.  Two is the minimum number to avoid being unaccompanied and lonely. 

He said to His disciples, “Be wise and careful.  I am sending you like lambs among the wolves.”  Thus it can also be for the protection for each other in case of danger. 

He further warned them, “Don’t take a purse, a beggar’s bag or shoes.  Don’t look here and there or don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.”  The extreme simplicity of His Mission gives us firm confidence of His Word of God. “Seek His Kingdom, rest all will be added!”

Yes, dear ones, little water or some bites in a bag are not a luxury.  It shows the perfect submissiveness and refuge the Teacher has in His Perfect Father and the disciples were to gain the same refuge through obedience.

Lord Jesus permitted them to carry only bare minimum essential things - a pair of sandals to walk,  a staff to defend oneself against dangerous animals, a garment that could be put on at the time of departure. 

Then again the Master advised them, “Listen, whenever you go into a house, first say, “Peace be with this house.”  If a peace loving man lives there let your greeting of peace remain on him.”  Welcoming a person to your home, greeting each other is the entry of Lord Jesus – the King of Peace. 

As per your faith and behavior, His peace will transform your home.  He is the true way to your prosperity.  Lord Jesus did not send His disciples to synagogues, to kings or leaders or to towns.  He sent them to ordinary people’s home – to all homes, none were excluded, except those who rejected them. 

He reminds them about those who reject them, to have the dust from their feet wiped off against them.  What does this mean?

 It emphasizes silently, “We don’t have anything in common with you.” 

God’s chosen disciples are the reflection of Lord Jesus.  Outwardly they may not be attractive or you may find no qualities of this world such as extra smartness, but they are kept separate to get detached of all worldly ways but inwardly they are like sunshine.

As per the instructions of their Master, they were finally sent, after being given authority to heal the sick and drive out the devil.  They went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins.

                                                                                                            ( to be continued…..)

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ