Heralds Digest

  “ And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”” Luke 4 : 3 - 4 NKJV The temptation of Jesus Christ on the need for vicious validation shows that the devil’s principle of temptation is always the same: an invitation to validate…” what God has already said or declared ”. Empirical validation is a natural phenomenon for human theory, prognosis, and assertions, without which all actions are referred to as voyages into self-destruction or self-defeat. But the words of God are settled or already validated in heaven. Every attempt or temptation to validate the clear revelation from the Lord is, in the words of Jesus, “ It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’ ” (Luke 4 : 12 ), a temptation. And while Chapter 3 just recorded overwhelming declaration in the presence of the Trinity and the public “ You are My be...

  “ And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison .” Luke 3 : 18 - 20 NKJV The difference between purity and polishing is not politeness, but truth. Unfortunately, polishing or political correctness is almost the acceptable standard for decorum in our world’s systems, societies, establishment and institutions today, as also in the days of John the Baptist. While the mandate John received was straightforward, leaving no allowance for politeness, “ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3 : 3 )”, the politics of king Herod can only tolerate polite preaching. Obviously, pure preaching attracts much more than truth; and this is the major concern of pseudo Christianity in our days. Oppression, persec...

  “ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? ”” Luke 2 : 48 - 49 NKJV Without prejudice to the sincerity of care in the question “ Son, why have You done this to us? “, the response from the Boy Jesus with another question “ Why did you seek Me? “opens up the difference between the common principle of selfish search in human endeavour and the burden in a desirable solemn search. For example, mothers are naturally obsessed with an instinct to possess their children and often struggle with the true reality that these children are the heritage of the Lord. While Mary was expected to be more informed that Jesus is the Son of God than Joseph, “ Son, why have You done this to us? ” was a polite way of refusing the obvious. Likewise, the human search in all pursuits throug...

  “ For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel .”” Luke 2 : 30 - 32 NKJV Those who support the use of sensible salvation for the service of humanity have always devoted their lives, talents, and intelligence as political activists, human rights advocates, literary icons, etc. Devotion to this common sense has always been the dividing line between the developed economies and the underdeveloped. Simeon, no doubt by the scriptural reference of his being a just and devout man, and waiting for the Consolation of Israel, must have contributed his quota of sensible salvation to the civil service of the nation of Israel. Yet, the Holy Spirit wanted him to witness the superiority of the sacred salvation over sensible salvation before his passing. Unfortunately, not many people today, even among the followers of Christ, do admit to the limitations of sensible ...

  “ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them .” Luke 2 : 18 , 20 NKJV The singular purpose of the shepherds’ engagement by the angels is the spreading of the good news, i.e., the blessings of God on the people through the birth of Jesus Christ in the city of David. Like these shepherds, in the Old Testament, the priests were engaged to bring divine blessing upon the congregation of God’s people as: “ The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace ( Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 )”. Even today, the Lord is constantly waiting for avail-able (and not necessarily able) shepherds in our homes, workplaces, institutions, and social media to separate themselves for the business of sharing the good news of His bles...

  “ And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. ” Luke 1 : 63 - 64   The past nine months of pregnancy for John the Baptist had been a demonstration of the blessedness of tamed tongues. Although the heavenly-assisted experience had punished Zechariah for his unbelief against the plan and purpose of God, it was a blessing in disguise to prevent him from escalating his unbelief to rebellion. After all, “ For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body ( James 3 : 2 )”. More likewise today, life’s experiences and relationships often draw the heart of man into a subtle state of unbelief and rebellion against the counsels of God. Even when we seem to be getting along at homes with the challenges with family members, delayed or unanswered prayers, and failed expectatio...

  “ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. ” Psalms 34 : 8 - 10 NKJV The difference between “ Oh, taste and see that the Lord has good ” and “ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good “ is simply happiness versus joy. Those whose lives are regulated by the pursuit of good gifts are readily deceived by material prosperity, momentary advances, and monumental positions. And if the young lions, with all their endowment as the king of the jungles and physical strength, can lack and suffer hunger, it shows that good gifts with their transient mode of happiness are not always  sustainable. Whereas, to truly experience the goodness of God is far higher and richer than the entertainment of good gifts; it is the actual experience of the presence of God in all circumstances o...