11/12/12

What is worldly man?

Job 13:12 - Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.


A few days back in Mumbai a local politician died and the whole state of Maharashtra was totally shut down. At the funeral more than 2million gave attendance or stood along the way of the procession. This man was known for his fight for the 'son of the soil', the marashtians (the original local community).

Some days later, was the anniversary of another person who also was well known for his great social work among the lower caste people. He did a great job of uplifting these people who were looked down by society at that time. This man was highly educated and well known professionally. He was instrument in drafting the Indian constitution.

The second man is now considered like a god by the people who belong to those castes which he uplifted. The first man is on his way to become another god for the people he helped.

Both these may not be compared on the same platform but both are highly respected by the communities they served.

Today's message states the remembrance of man is like ashes and bodies like vessels made of clay. If we scan through history there were many who did great social service for mankind and all of them were remembered for a period of time, some for short periods and others for longer periods. But all soon or later got forgotten.

Ask a British about Elizabeth Gurney Fry (1780- 1845) and there is very little chances they will remember her or ask an American about Jane Addams (1860–1935) or about William Penn (1700s).

As the wind blows over the ash it blows away the ash depending on the speed of the wind, over a period of time one will find no ash left. So is the same with vessels made of clay, all the old clay vessels found today are in damaged or totally broken conditions. The best preserved vessels are those made of metal and not of clay.

If we look at these people and all other people who do great social work or work towards a specific community, even all the good they do is temporary. They may be a good example but yet they fail to be a complete example. Their philosophy can be followed for a specific period or for a specific purpose but no man can cover all areas of life and all periods of time.

Jesus Christ as man is considered the only human whose teaching and examples are valid throughout ages. People may state Him as a spiritual guide and may compare people like Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, Mahavira etc. to Him. But there is no comparison between Him and them.

All the teachings of the others are pertaining to the people of a certain community or era and that is why we find they strongly promoted their local traditions or thinking; from dressing, to eating, to living, working etc. according to the culture existing during their time or their local society.

On the other hand we see Jesus was against traditions. He was born Jews but the Jews hated Him for not keeping their traditions. He is the only one who did not only speak but backed what He spoke with action. He did what no one else could, He defeated death. After His death and resurrection He commanded His disciples to go the ends of the world and preaching His message of salvation. His message was not for the Jews alone but for all people across all generations.

Every teachings Jesus gave have been confirmed historically, geographically, scientifically, astronomically and prophetically accurate. They were not relevant to people only of His era but even today we learn from His teachings and so also those in the future will. The secret of His teachings He openly shared with all so that all can be teach like Him, He said He spoke the Words of the Father.

The Bible is not only the most printed book, it is also the book which has the most numbers of books written on it to study and understand. Even in today's scientific era the Bible still stands as the most accurate and perfect book.

We have the Word of God with us and when we speak the Word of God into the lives of people (prophesy) we become little Jesus Christs ourselves (Christians). Since we imitate Christ it is not we who live but Christ who lives in us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, man has since ages wanted to make a name for himself. Man desires to be remembered forever. But what is man who is not in You. Your Word says he is like grass which is cut and burned at the end of its duration. But those who are in You are like trees which bear fruit. They are preserved and nurtured by You. Father God we pray we imitate Christ for He alone saw You and knows You. It was He alone kept your Word as it is to be kept. May we shine the light of Christ unto others...


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Isaiah 40:18-25
18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Psalms 37:1-7
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)