Tuesday, August 12, 2008

When The Hero Become Villain

Main Text: Matt 12:22 - 37

This is one of those ridiculous theme where Jesus was accused of coming from the dark side of the force. He is the "bad guy". He comes with the power from the devil!
It is very easy for us to claim something too good must come from bad side, when we put our jealously first even efore we know the person. Second, we often do that when we think that we are the most right one since the beginning.
it is obvious that the Pharisees just looking for some trouble with Jesus. They dont know where the power of Jesus come from but one thing they know - they couldnt do what Jesus is able to do. What a pity to them.
Having said so, i believe that Christ must be the center of our thought knowing that at the end all of us are indeed his follower. Without that ability, we will always end up in the same place accusing Christ coming from the Dark Side

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Have Mercy! Not Sacrifice

Main Text: Matt 12: 1 - 14

Is it wrong to follow the rules? Why Jesus always goes against the rules and regulation? If there are no rules isnt the world will be such a terrible place with all of the haphazardness and chaos?
So why Jesus seems to be always against the rule?
In this particular text, once again Jesus was caught violating the rules of the Jew. He even violate one of the most fundamental rules of all - The Sabbath
However, as we observe carefully what Jesus did is one of the noblest way to follow the rule.
Jesus emphasize on harmony, where many things comes naturally from your heart. When God obey the rules, he doesnt do it simply because it is the right thing to do, but simply come from His own heart.
Jesus mission is to restore that obedience into humanity. That our obedience, is not driven by guilt or simply to do what is right but because our love and deep relationship with God.
In this way, we are lessening our effort on trying to obey, but increase our effort in trying to love, and maintain our relationship with God. Obeying someone is far easier than loving someone. You can obey a person without having to love or built a relationship with that person, but you cannot love someone without obeying that person.
Singapore is one of those lawful country where everything are govern under proper law, i do follow and obey the law but to be honest with you i dont even know who made this law, and where they stay, or what they eat for breakfast.
However, on the other side of it. I will live with a person that i know very well. my future wife. Since the beginning of our relationship we never declare any law for our marriage and when either one of us break that law then we have to pay fine.
But i know certain things that she doesnt like or hurt her.
I believe the same understanding work with God's law that when we called his as our father we should treat him the way we treat our father on earth.
So one sentence can conclude it all - obey it because you love the person not because of fear of fine