Heralds Digest

“Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.23.8-9.nkjv Finding friendship in a new world of social networking is made easy with little search efforts from different social media platforms. Nevertheless, the quality of friendship discovered on these online platforms still depends on the motives, expected to be guided by the users’ sets of criteria. Literally, friendship brings funfair; but ideally, true friendship provides freedom from the fears in the world. When Herod was exceedingly glad to see his long desired Jesus, the scriptures declare that the basis of his finding friendship in Jesus was that ‘he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him’. It implies that ‘to be’ in friend...

“Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “ It is as you say.” So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.23.3-4.nkjv The interaction of Jesus Christ on one-hand, or the chief priests and the multitude of His accusers on the other hand, with Pontus Pilate teaches a fundamental lesson about the secret of finding peace in this wicked world. The quest for peace of mind in all human endeavours will either tow the path of fault-finding or Faith-finding. Whichever the path is chosen of the two options, the basic denominator is always ‘how do I respond to the absolute will of God in life?’. To Jesus Christ, the final battle in the inevitable struggle of the flesh against the will of God was fought and won at the garden of Gethsemane. Whereas, the religious multitude have never explored the only path of finding a lasting peace to the struggle of thi...

“As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:66-67‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.66-67.nkjv The major reason why the scriptures discouraged the act of Christian taking another Christian to council or court is their expected willingness in both parties to submit to the Will of Christ. Unfortunately, when anyone in Christ struggles with submission to the Will of God, even Christ Himself is often summoned to the council to defend His lordship over the affairs of life, needless to query the indictment of fellow believers before the council of unbelievers. When Christ was brought to the council of the Sanhedrin, the query of the chief priests and elders was “If You are the Christ, tell us”. As straightforward as the answer may appear, Christ refused to provide a straightfor...

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:61‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.61.nkjv The secret of managing long distance relationship by maintaining focus on Jesus appears evident in the bitter denial experience of Peter. Although the physical manifestation of Peter’s problem appeared to start with his decision to follow the arrested Jesus afar of, he had been much more earlier subdued by overconfidence and prayer-less boasting. Physically, the distant-following circumstances in life might be inevitable. The emotional and spiritual detachment from Jesus resulted in Peter’s distractions and an elevated appraisal of maid and servants as secret agents of the high priest, chief priests and elders that arrested Jesus. Whereas, even while Jesus was under intense pain and agonizing suffering for no wrong of His, the undefeated Lord and Maste...

“But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:48‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.48.nkjv During the betrayal and arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane, the multitude on the murdering mission were categorized into three, including the follower of Jesus, the non-followers of Jesus and the servant of a non-follower. While Jesus appeared to excuse the servant of a non-follower, He asked the other two sets of people an appropriate question. To the non-followers, He asked ‘why do you chose to arrest with a sword?’ And to Judas - a follower of Jesus - He queried ‘are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’ Although Jesus did not wait for the answer from those who came to arrest - it was an hour of darkness, there was no particular response to why Judas chose to betray with a kiss. Kiss is comely to followers and friends in any relationship and it is the outward expression of love and intimacy. However, it is deceitful when friends and fol...

“Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.22.46.nkjv The battle at Gethsemane remains one of the greatest spiritual warfares of all time for those who care to unravel the mystery of absolute submission to the Will of God. Is it really true that the will of Jesus at one point disagreed with the Will of God, as regards submission to proceed to Golgotha? Yes, the will that asked ‘Let this cup pass over Me’ is different from ‘Let your Will be done’. While the former will was controlled by the flesh of Jesus, the latter aligns with His clearly-defined purpose and determination. Obviously, the battle at Gethsemane highlights the possibility of disagreement between the conscious and unconscious will of man. Even when the conscious will in a good and godly man is set on godliness and righteousness, the unconscious will can be easily enticed into an act of unrighteousness. “Then He said to the...

“For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.37.nkjv Just a moment ago, the disciples of the. Lord Jesus Christ had enjoyed an evangelistic outreach without giving attention to sustenance and security. But now, Jesus admonished them to out with reasonable investment in safety apparatus and food. It was the season of hostilities and insecurities, especially for the Saviour and the end of His earthly ministry. Notwithstanding, Jesus was not caught unprepared to take challenge with absolute dependence on the will of God. Likewise, life’s activities are designed to take a different dimension on regular basis. However, partnership with God for guidance brings relief over the challenges at home, workplaces and in the fellowship of God, even when leveraging on human discretion appears attractive.