ARE YOU WILLING TO BE HEALED?

Prof.M.Y.Yohannan

:Publisher:

PhelioBooks
Kolenchery-682311

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE HEALED?

Prof. M. Y. Yohannan
Former Principal St.Peter'sCollege,Kolenchery Mechankara, Kadayiruppu P. O., Kolenchery - 682 311 Kerala, Ph : 0484 - 2689489, 2689889 E - mail : [email protected], Website : www.crfgospel.org Publisher: PhelioBooks,Kolenchery-682311

Translated by : P.U. Chakkappan

Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya No. II NavalBase,Kochi-682004
DTP MANESH,MAASCREATIONS,COCHIN COVERDESIGN SWAMINATHAN,COMPUTERPARK PRINTEDAT BETHESDAPRINTERSPVT.LTD.,EDAPPALLY,KOCHI

AboutTheAuthor

"Itwasnoprophet,neitherwasIaprohet'sson, ButIwasanherdsman,andagathererofsycamorefruit. AndtheLordtookmeasIfollowedtheflock, AndtheLordsaidtome, Go,propheseyuntomypeopleIsrael" -Amos7:14,15 Prof.M.Y.Yohannanwasborninamiddleclassagricultural familyinKadayiruppu,Kolenchery,Kerala.Threeofhisbrothers diedbeforehisbirth.Helosthisfatherattheinfantageofone andhissurvivingbrotherwhenhewastwoyearsold.Hecould not continue his education after passing out from the tenth standard as he was forced to take up the responsibility of managinghisfamilyaffairsandworkinginthefarmdesolateand desperate. ThisyoungmanwithashatteredlifeacceptedJesusChrist as his Saviour and LORD at the age of seventeen while attendingaGospelmeetingathislocalchurch. Prof.YohannanstartedhiscareerasateacherintheRajarshi MemorialHighschoolwherehehadstudied.Duringhisnineyear tenure in the school, he took his graduation and post graduation,asaprivatestudent,inartswithfirstranksfromthe

KeralaUniversity.Later,hetookB.Ed.degreealsowithUniversity rank.In1964,hejoinedSt.Peter'sCollegeandcontinuedthere forthenextthirty-threeyears.HewasappointedPrincipalofthe samecollegein1995andretiredaftertwoyears. Evenasayoungteacher,hewasanactivememberofthe VoluntarymissionarysocietyinKerala.Manywellreputedand respectedclergyaswellaslaymensincerelyparticipatedinthe activitiesoftheVoluntaryMissionarySociety,whichinMalayalam, wasknownas"SwamedhayaSuviseshaSangham."Asaresult ofitsearnesteffortsonevangelisation,alargenumberofpeople gotrevivedintheJacobite/Orthodoxandotherchurches. In1973,agreatspiritualrevivalsweptoverKeralaProf.Yohannan wasintheforefrontofthismovement.Therevivalwasbasedon thefollowingdivinewords: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wickedways,thenwillIhearfromHeavenandwillforgivetheir sinandwillhealtheirland."2Chronicles7:14 "BlessedarethepureinheartfortheywillseeGod." Matthew5:8 "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.'' Hebrews12:14 Whenamangetsthebornagainexperience,hisdeedsand wordsarechanged.Butthetransormationoftheinner-man, thoughts,attitudes,theoldnature,etc.isthegenuinesignofa trueChristian. Prof.YohannanpreachedtheGospelthroughoutKeralaand manybigcitiesinIndia.Later,hevisitedtheUnitedStatesof AmericaseveraltimesinconnectionwiththeLord'sservice.He alsovisitedgreatBritianandsomeoftheGulfcountriesinthe MiddleEastandaddressedseveralconventions.

In1997,Prof.Yohannancommencedthe"Amruthadhara'Radio Ministry on all Tuesday evenings. It is the wholehearted encouragementofthelisteners,asecondprogramme,wasstarted onallSaturdaysfrom7.30pmto7.45p.m.Theseprogrammes helpedtopreachtheGospeltotheunreachedandremoteareas andsegmentsofpeople,likeinprisons,armedforece'barracks, hostels etc. Prof.Yohannanutilizedthefacilitiesoftelevision,oneofthe mostinfluentialmediatoday,topreachtheGospel.In2000,the Amruthadhara'TVprogrammewasstarted.Presently,thethirtyminuteprogrammeistelecastat6.30amonAsianetNews,Surya TVandJeevanTVnetworksonFriday,SaturdayandSunday morningsrespectively. As requested by his ever - increasing listeners and dear friends, Prof. Yohannan has published his various messages, studiesanddevotionsinbookform.Sofar,asonFebruary2009, hehaspublishedFiftybooks.Mostofthemareout-of-print within a short period. Few more books are getting ready for release. Prof.YohannanisfullyengagedintheactivitiesoftheCRFby addressing massive Gospel meetings, Bible classes, prayer meetings, counselling sessions, etc. He strongly believes that theneedofthehouris"therepentanceoftherepented." He advocates : "It is the soul that needs change, not the religion,It'stheinner-man(heart)thatneedschange,notthe communityordenomination." Prof.Yohannan gets whole - hearted support from his wife, Alice,aretiredteacher,inhisLord'sservice.TheYohannan's have three sons and a daughter, all married. The family is blessedwithninegrandchildren.

Preface
Letmejotdownafamousquotationthatcomes tomind: "Thebestthingtogiveyourenemyisforgiveness Thebestthingtogiveyouropponentistolerance Thebestthingtogiveyourfriendisyourheart Thebestthingtogiveyourchildisagoodexample Thebestthingtogiveyourfatherisdefence Thebestthingtogiveyourmotherisconduct Thebestthingtogivetoyourselfisrespect Thebestthingtogivetoallothersischarity EverythingcanbesummedupinoneJesusChrist'' Christ is the embodiment of everything good. He is the source and symbol of everything virtuous. His mission is to fetchrelieftothesuffering,thepoorandthedowntrodden. MotherTheresawasagreatsoulwhohadinhertheloving heartofChrist.TheMotheroftheorphanswashowshewas known.Themotherwholaiddownherlifeinthepathofservice

laterwontheNobelPrizeforpeace.AtOsloduringtheaward presentationceremonysheintroducedherself. BybloodandoriginIamanAlbanian, BycitizenshipanIndian, IamaCatholicnun, Astomycalling,Ibelongtothewholeworld, AstomyheartIbelongentirelytotheheartofJesus. The statement testifies to the tremendous love and thirst shehadforChrist.Sheproveditwithherlife.BorninSkoppejain inUgoslavia,Agneswashername.Attheageof18shecame toIndialeavingbehindherhomeandcountry.Shebecamea nun in the Loretto Convent in Calcutta. She got the vision to workamongthesickandorphanedwhiletravellingtoDarjeeling to participate in a retreat. The motivation for this quest for service was her heart that flowed out with compassion for leperswhounderwenthellishsufferingandquarrelledonthe streets.Theinspirationbehindthiswastheintangibleinfluence ofChrist. These thoughts became instrumental in my showing the mankind a Christ who heals. The love-laden quest of Christ, namely,Areyouwillingtobehealed?hasbroughtreliefto countless sick people. I hope and wish that the esteemed reader of the book will gain the sweet experience of internal healing. MygratitudetoMr.A.J.Aby(Retd.GeneralManager,TCM, Kalamassery)whoextendedallhelpandco-operationforthe printingofthisbookisbeyondwords.IpraythatGodreward Mr.Abyforit.

ThisEnglishEditionisbeingpublishedbythewonderful intervention of Lord Jesus Christ. Lord used Mr. Chakkappan,Principal,KendriyaVidyalayaNoII,NavalBase, Kochi,totranslatethebook. Iappreciatesomuchhisstrenouseffortandextend myheartfeltgratitudetohim.BesidesanefficiantPrincipal, recognizedteacherandhighlyreputedadministrator,Mr. Chakkappanhasprovedhisskillintranslationworkalso. MayGodalmightyshownthisabundantblessingsonhim andhisdearfamily. Lookingforwardtotheloveandaffectionofallmyreaders.

Yoursfaithfully, M Y Yohannan

One

On a Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,andawomanwastherewhohadbeencrippled byaspiritforeighteenyears.Shewasbentoverandcouldnot straightenupatall.WhenJesussawher,hecalledherforward andsaidtoherWoman,youaresetfreefromyourinfirmity. Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightenedupandpraisedGod. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath the synagogue ruler said to the people, There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not in the Sabbath. TheLordansweredhimYouhypocrites!Doesnteachof youontheSabbathuntiehisoxordonkeyfromthestableand lead it out to give it water ? Then, should not this woman, a daughterofAbraham,whomSatanhaskeptboundforeighteen longyears,besetfreeontheSabbathdayfromwhatbound her?

10

When He said this, all His opponents were humiliated,butthepeopleweredelightedwithall thewonderfulthingshewasdoing. Luke:13:10-17 People were delighted with the miracles performed by Christ.Manysharedthisexperience.Christisperformingthese miracleseventoday.Manyaredelighted,manyliveshavebeen transformed by this miraculous experience. Christ still works inourlives.TheBiblesays: JesusChristthesameyesterday,todayand forever Hebrews13:8 TheLordJesusChristwenttothatsynagogueonthatday. Hewouldoftengothere.Hewouldspeakthere.AsusualHe went to that synagogue on that day too.And a miracle took placethere. Therewasawomanbentdoubleapoorwomanwhohad undergonethetormentofbeingacrippleforeighteenyears. Forhermovementwasatortureyetshewasregulartogoto synagogue. At synagogue she might have prayed for healing.At first shemighthaveprayedfervently.Healmeofthishandicap. Butlaterherprayermightnothavebeenwithmuchhope.How long had she been praying, without any result! There is no hope, she might have despaired. Yet she was regular at the synagogue. Shemighthaveundergonemedicaltreatment.Despiteall her efforts and entreaties, her backbone bent, body stooped andshewasnotabletostraightenupcouldnotstraighten up..iswhatwereadintheBible.

11

Though she had been to synagogue all these days, the miracle happened in her life on that day for years she had beenfrequentingthesynagogue.Itwasagrandmiraclethat she hadnt dreamt of, A miracle that would have looked impossible happened. She got the healing touch, she straightenedup,herbackbonebecameerect. It is a great blessing to be at the presence of Jesus Christ.ItisaprivilegetobenearthewordofGod.Thereisno greaterblessingthantofeelthehealingtouchofChristshand. Jesussawher.Hecalledhernear.TheCreatorexamined thecreation.HesawherstoopingfigureapproachingHim. andawomanwastherewhohadbeen crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bentoverandcouldnotstraightenupatall.When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her. Luke13:11-12 Woman, you are set free from your infirmity. ThenHeputhishandsonherandimmediatelyshe straightenedupandpraisedGod. Luke13:12-13 Whatamiracle!JesusChristputhishandsonher,Woman, you are set free, he said. Within a moment she straightened upandpraisedGod. The touch of Christs hands works wonders, brings blessings and performs miracles. So many people got the touchofJesusshands.Thetouchbrokethebondsformany people.Thetouchliftedthecurses.Thetouchrelievedmany lives. The touch removed bad habits. The touch removed unhealthy practices. Those who were ruining their families,

12

those who were breaking their homes, those who were nightmaresintheirneighbourhoods,thosewhowerebringing miseries and sufferings to others. Many such people were transformedbythetouchofJesusshands. Christ touched, Christs word touched, Christs hand touched. Now at the moment when you read this word, let Christs handtouchyou.LetHimtouchthepartwhereitpains.LetHim touchthepartwhichisdiseased.LetHimtouchthepartwhich isdefectiveanddestroyed.LetChristshandtouchyourlives which are riddled with miseries, complaints, sorrow, crises, problems, debts. Let Christ run His hands on you. Let Christ pronounce these words Woman,Youaresetfreefromyourinfirmity.Letthewords whichwereaddressedtothewomanwhohadbeenbentover foreighteenyearsresoundinyourears.Notenough,letthose wordsechoinandre.echoonthewallsofyourheart. Jesuslovesyou.Hecaresforyou.Christwhoisthesame yesterday, today and forever is coming towards you, He is beckoningyou.Heknowsyoubyname,Heknowswhereyou hailfrom.Heknowsyourbackground,Heknowsyourproblem, He knows your need, He knows your sorrow, he knows your crisis. Jesusknowseverything.Thevoicewhichcalledthewoman resoundsinyourearsandheart.Thesamevoicewhichcalled Martha,thesamevoicewhichcalledSamuel,thesamevoice which called Abraham, the same voice which called Simon, thesamevoicewhichcalledJerusalem,thesamevoicewhich

13

required Zacchaeus to come down. The same voice is resoundinginyourears. Saul,Saul,whydoyoupersecuteme?thevoicewhich transformedthemurderousandtroublesomesoulintoPaulis resoundinginyourears.LendyourearstoHisvoice.Letyour stoopbegone,letyourcrisisberesolved.Letyourproblembe solved.Christisapproachingyoutoremoveyourloneliness, to remove your marginalisation, to remove the inferiority complex in your life, to find a way out of the problems that pesteryou. His word touches you. His voice touches you. His affectionatevoiceresonatesinyourears.Hisgraciousvoice echoesonthewallsofyourheart. Son, Give your heart to Christ. Daughter, give your life to Christ. Offer your word to Christ. Father, I am your possession.Lordwhodiedinthecrossforme,Iamforsaking satan for ever. Resolving in heart that I accept Christ as my LordandSaviour,. TellHim: Jesus, be kind to me, bless me, accept me and putYour hands on me.

14

Two

Awomanwastherewhohadbeencrippledby aspiritforeighteenyears.Shewasbentoverand could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her,Hecalledherforward. Luke13:1112 Acrippledwomanhadcometosynagogue.Shewouldcome tosynagogueregularly.Shewouldparticipate in the service. That day also she came as usual. Jesus saw her and called herforward.WhydidJesuspubliclycallthatstoopingwoman? He called a cripple, that too one who is bent over and made herstandinpublic.Whydidhedoit? Something which many may not be able to make out. Normallypeoplewhoarephysicallychallengedarereluctant tostandinpublic.Christcalledherinpublic.Christdidthisto passonagreatmessagetopeople.Thisbecameinstrumental in many realising that Christ is kind and compassionate to thosewhoareinmiseryandsorrow.

15

ManyatimeChristwouldsternlyinstructpeoplenottomake His miracles public. He did this one in a synagogue. Those who came to the synagogue were pious. They were either pious or fanatic. They were steeped in religious rituals and practices.Suchpeoplegotanopportunitytounderstandwho Christ was. Good.SeeingthosepeopleChristcalledherinpublic.Christ calledhernottoinsulther,nottomakeheralaughingstock, but to help her. Christ called her not to obtain anything from her,buttoblessher. JesusChristhasalwayshelpedpeople.Hesaid. Cometome,allyouarewearyandburdened, andIwillgiveyourest Mathew11:28

Christisrest.Christgivesrest.IwillgiveyourestChrist said.Thevoiceheardonthatdayisstillreverberatinghis.In thelastspeechduringthelastphaseofHispublicservicein theworldChristsaid. PeaceIleavewithyou;mypeaceIgiveyou.I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let yourheartsbetroubledanddonotbeafraid. John14:27 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!Ihaveovercometheworld. John16:33 Words which fill you with courage. Words which give you rest.Christhaseverbeenso,soisHetoday.

16

JesusChristlooksuponyouwithaffection.Thethirdreason whyshewasmadetostandpubliclywastomakepeoplesee thebondageofSatan. Christsaidthatshehadbeenafflictedforeighteenyears, afflictedwiththespiritofdisease.Anevilspirit.Satanhadkept herinbondage.Christcalledthewomantostandinpublicto enablethepeopletoseethathumanbeingissubjecttoevil bondagesandafflictions. Fromwhatisbeingfurtherspokenaboutheraffliction,her evilaffliction,weunderstandthatChristmeanttheHighPriests present there also to understand this. They question Christ. TheChurchleaderisangry. Therearesixdaysforwork.Thesynagoguerulerisangry thatChristchosetoputhishandonapersonandhealheron a Sabbath, which is against the commandments. He understandsthelettersofthecommandmentnotthespirit. Manypeopleareliketherulerofthesynagogue.Theyare confined to certain observances. They never delve in to the spirit.Theyaredeprivedoftheurgesoftheinnerspirittoward peaceofmind,therenewalinlife,thepeaceinthefamily,and abrightfuture. Faith for many people never transcends certain rituals, observancesandshibboleths.Thatiswhythesynagogueruler wasangry.TheLawwouldntallowoneeventopickupadry leaf from his frontyard. Reason, it is a work. Such is their adherencetotheLaw,butnosuchdisciplineinlife. Yougiveatenthofyourspicesmint,dilland cumin.Butyouhaveneglectedthemoreimportant mattersofthelaw-justice,mercyandfaithfulness Mathew23:2324

17

Whatisthestateofourspirituallife?Isitconfinedtocertain observances?Christianlifeisthepietythatdelvesdeepinto theinnerspirit. Christianlifeisthepietythattransformsyourinnerself. Whentheamazingpowerofthegospelthatbringscardinal changeinthemindoftheman,startsworkinginyou,youcome torealizethemeaningandvalueofeachritualandobservance. YoushouldseeChrist.YoushouldputyourfaithinChrist, whateverChristdoesisforthegood.Hecallsinpublicforthe good,Hecallsbynameforthegood.HegivesHiswordforthe good. Touching Christs hand is for the good. To be able to reach near Christ is for the good. Jesus is the fertile land of righteousness.Heisthegardenofgrace. ImaginethatJesusiscomingtoyouwhereyousitreading this word. Try to see the scene in your imagination. Two thousand years ago Jesuscalled that woman whohad been crippled,bentoverforeighteenyears.Asheputhishandon her,Christiscallingyoutoo,seeingtheabysmalstateyouare in.Areyouabletorecognizehim? JesusChristdiedonthecrossasamarkofthisgreatlove. WhydidHesacrificeHislife?Toremoveyourbondage. The blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from allsin John1:7 ListentotheWord.PutyourfaithintheWord,giveyourself toChrist.Takenewresolveanddedication.Giveyourwordto God,JesusIamyourpossessionfromtodayonwards.

18

Three

TheLordupholdsallthosewhofallandlifts upallwhoareboweddown. Psalms 145 :14 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives feed to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoner free. The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord liftsupthosewhoareboweddown. Psalms 146 7:8 Hehealsthebroken-heartedandbindsup their wounds Psalms147:3 TheLordliftsupthosewhoarebowed down. Psalms146:8 The woman who had been bent over for eighteen years came to the synagogue on that day. Jesus saw her. Jesus calledhernear.Heputhishandonher.Woman,youareset freefromyourinfirmity,Hesaid. The bondage of disease ! Man has many bondages. Externally man is free. Nobody can control him. He is

19

completelyfree.Hehasreligiousfreedom.Hehasfreedomof opinion.Hehaspressfreedom.Hehasfreedomofeducation. He has political freedom, social freedom and individual freedom. Manisfree,butinsideheisinbondagebondageofmany kinds. We see here that the woman was in the bondage of disease.Itisthereinthebody.Diseaseinthebody. Man has ever been riddled with diseases. Some are diseasedinthebody.Somearediseasedinthemindmental disease.Somearediseasedinthespirit.Menarediseasedin thebody,mindandsoul.Mancanrecognizethediseaseinthe body. He knows the pain involved in it. He understands its sufferings.Diseaseinthebody. Thereisanevilspiritbehindthedisease.Goddoesnotbring any harm to anybody. It is Satan who causes disease. God doesnt bring man any misery. It is the Satan who brings miseries,accidents,calamities,sufferingsandloss.Aboutthis itissaidinthefirstchapterofJames. Blessedisthemanwhopreservesundertrial becausewhenhehasstoodthetesthewillreceive the crown of life that God has promised to those wholoveHim.Whentempted,no-oneshouldsay Godistemptingme.ForGodcannotbetempted byevil,nordoeshetemptanyone,buteachoneis temptedwhen,byhisownevildesire,heisdragged awayandenticed.Thenafterdesirehasconceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full grown, givesbirthtodeath.'' James1:1215

20

The evil spirit stakes claim on mans life due to sin. Man has temptation, lust and vanity. He has self. He has sex. He has silver, he has bondage, bondage to money, bondage to sexual desires, bondages of status in worldly life. Man is tormented with these bondages. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin. Satan who is the Lord of sin enters in man when he commits sin. Devilcannotpossessmanunlessthereissininhim.Then afterdesirehasconceived,itgivesbirthtosin,whenitisfull grown,givesbirthtodeath. Christ manifested Himself to release man from Satans bondages and tricks. There is disease, but there is healing. That is why the Bible says By His wounds we are healed. SevenhundredandfiftyyearsbeforeJesusChristwasborn, prophetIsaiahsaid Surely He took up our infirmity and carried our sorrows. YetweconsideredHimstrickenbyGod,smittenbyHim,and affected.ButHewaspiercedforourtransgression, Hewascrushedforouriniquities The punishment that brought us peace was uponHimandbyHiswounds,wearehealed. Isaiah53:45 ByChristswoundswearehealed.ApostlePetersays inhisfirstepistle. He Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed 1Peter2:24

21

ItissaidintheExodus IamtheLordwhohealsyou Exodus15:26 Christcanhealyou.IamtheLordwhohealsyouJehovah Rafa God who heals. God who reduces the intensity and influenceofthediseaseonthebody.IamtheLordwhoheals. Thatiswhatourforefatherssang. Lookatmymisery,myLord Imadeyouindignantwithavarietyofsins Ihavenorefuge Iwenttophysicians Whotreatedmewithmedicines Tonocomfort,mywoundsaregrievous Thouhealer,abouttheeandthepowerofthy medicine Iheard,IcometoThee Iwillbehealedforsure By the hand of God it is sure to get healed. Oh Lord, mywoundsaremany,mydiseasehasaggravated.OhLord, whoisthegoodphysicianIcometothepresenceofThyHoly Blood. Dedicate yourself. Let Lord remove the bondage of your disease. Let him remove the afflictions of disease. Let him removeallvices.LetChristperformmiraclesinyourliferiddled withmiseries,pains,hardshipsandproblems.

22

Four

.a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bentoverandcouldnotstraightenupatall.When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to herWoman,youaresetfreefromyourinfirmity. Thenheputhishandsonherandimmediatelyshe straightenedupandpraisedGod. Luke13:11-13 WhenwereadPsalms38:16,weseethatmiseriesand sorrowsinoneslifebendhim. Because of your wrath there is no health in mybody.Myboneshavenosoundnessbecause of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am boweddownandbroughtverylow,alldaylong,I goaboutmourning.Mybackisfilledwithsearing

23

pain,thereisnohealthinmybody.Iamfeebleand utterlycrushed.Igroaninanguishofheart. Psalms38:38 I am bent. I am bent over. I am in incessant sorrow. Bent double.Discomfortinthebodyduetodisease.Noresttomy bones.Mywoundsfester.Mybackisfilledwithsearingpain.I am feeble and utterly crushed. I groan in anguish of heart, grievesDavid. When the body is diseased, people become bent over in mind,weakenedinmind,despaired,riddledwithanxiety.Future becomesdark.Peoplesighovertomorrow,Iambentover. But Christ who straightens, the Christ who put his hands onthewomanwhohadbeenbentoverforeighteenyearsand straightenedherupiscomingtoyou.Heputshishandoutto touchyou. Wont you humble yourself to that hand ? Why dont you submityourfutureintothehandsofChrist?Lord,allthewhile, Ilivedwithoutknowingyou.Igavemyselfawaytosin,myfather, Forgive my sins. I indulged myself in iniquities. I became addictedtoliquor.Ifilledmyheartwithmaliceandhatred.In eachofmyactiontherewasmalice,dismayandhatred.My Lord,Ihaveruinedmylife.Igaveawaymybodytosin.Iwasted my money. I made money in unagreeable ways. My God, I indulgedmyselfinheinousactsandwildorgiesandsubjected myselftodarkdesires. Dedicate your heart to Jesus. Recognising the miseries, defectsandsufferingsthathavebefallenyou,praytotheever mercifulChrist:Lord,Iambent,bentover.

24

Let Christ who heals put his hand on you. Let Christ straightenyou,raiseyoufromyourlowliness,giveyoupeace, makeyourfuturebright. Youmaybecrippledduetosorrow,duetodisease,dueto tribulation,duetohostilityofotherpeople.Youmaygetcrippled whenothersrubbishyou.WereadinPsalms44 Why do you hide your face and forget our miseryandoppression?Wearebroughtdownto thedust;ourbodiesclingtotheground. Psalms44:2425 Psalmistsings,broughtdownduetomiseryand oppression Yetforyoursakewefacedeathalldaylong Weareconsideredassheeptobeslaughtered. Psalms 44 : 22 Miseries, rivalries, revengeful acts, mind gets distraught. Weareconsideredassheeptobeslaughtered.Psalmistsings thatwefacedeathalldaylongforyoursake. You gave us to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. You have made us a reproach to our neighbours,thescornandderisionofthosearound us. You have made us a byword among nations, thepeopleshaketheirheadsatus.Mydisgraceis before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach

25

andrevileme,becauseoftheenemywhoisbent onrevenge.Allthishappenedtous. Psalms44:1117 Psalmist is mourning. I am a reproach to my neighbours. I am the scorn and derisionofthosearoundme.Ihavebecomeabywordamong nations.Peopleshaketheirheadsatme.Ihearthetauntsof thosewhoreproachandrevileme.Myenemyisbentontaking revengeuponme.Myfaceiscoveredwithshame. I am troubled with repeated miseries and misfortunes, hardshipsandsorrow.Onefollowstheother.Iambent. Therearepeoplewholeadatormentedlifeduetoshame and agony in the teeth of scorn, derision and insults heaped uponthembyothers.Isanyoneofthemreadingthisword? Listen, Christ is there to raise your face to straighten you up,tosupportyou.Son,lookatChristwhoiscomingtoyou. Daughter, look at Christ who stands by you. Look at Christ andpraytohim.

26

Five
Because of your wrath there is no health in mybody,myboneshavenosoundnessbecause of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am boweddownandbroughtverylow;alldaylongIgo aboutmourning. Psalm38:3-6 Anotherreasonforgoingbentisthebondageofsin.One, thebondageofdisease.Two,thebondageofsin. My bones have no soundness because of my sin. My woundsfesterandareloathsomebecauseofmysinfulfolly.I amboweddownandbroughtverylow.Bondage.Thebondage ofsin.Weseeinchapter8ofActsoftheApostles. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captivetosin. Acts8:23 In Samaria, a sorcerer by name Simon believed and was baptizedleavingmagicandsorcery.Buthisheartwasnotfree

27

ofbondage.Hewantedpeopletorespecthim.Hewantedto begreatandtowintheattentionofallpeople.Hedidnoteven realisethathisdesiretobegreatwasasin. He wanted to do the miracles performed by the apostles PeterandJohn.Itmayappearthathisdesireisgood.Buthis intention was not blemishless. The desire to do good deeds comesfromthedesiretowintheattentionofthepeople.Many goodthingsaredonewiththisintentionofrecognition.Charity, Healthcare,oldagehome,Orphanagemanyofthesegood thingsaredonewiththesoleintentionofwinningattention. JesusChristinhisfirstSermon,theSermonoftheMount said, Do not let your left hand know what the right hand is doing.Mt6:3-4.IfyouwantGodofHeaventorewardyou, donotletyouractsofrighteousnessbeseenbyothers.When yougivetotheneedywiththesolepurposeofbeinghonoured bymen,youhavereceivedyourrewardinfull.Mt6:5-7. SimonofferedsomemoneytoPeteranddemandedtogive himthegiftoftheHolySpiritsothateveryoneonwhomhe placeshishandsmayreceivetheHolySpirit.Hemistookthat theSpiritualGiftwhichGodgivesoutofgracecouldbebought withmoney.Peteranswered. Mayyourmoneyperishwithyou,becauseyou thoughtyoucouldbuythegiftofGodwithmoney! Youhavenopartorshareinthisministry,because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickednessandpraytotheLord.Perhapshewill forgiveyouforhavingsuchathoughtinyouheart. ForIseethatyouarefullofbitternessandcaptive tosin. Acts8:2023

28

Thebondageofinjusticeisavice,asin.Manypeoplearein the bondage of sin. Jesus Christ died on the cross to save manfromthebondageofsin toloosethechainsofinjustice anduntiethecordsoftheyoke tosettheoppressedfree andbreakeveryyoke! Isaiah58:6 Loosenthechainsofinjustice.Breakeveryyoke.And whenyouarefreeofthebondages, Thenyourlightwillbreakforthlikethedawn andyourhealingwillquicklyappear thenyourrighteousnesswillgobeforeyou andthegloryoftheLordwillbeyourrearguard ThenyouwillcallandtheLordwillanswer Youwillcryforhelp,andHewillsay: HereamI Youwillbelikeawellwateredgarden likeaspringwhosewatersneverfail Yourpeoplewillrebuildtheancientruins andwillraiseuptheage-oldfoundations Youwillbecalledrepairerofbrokenwalls restorerofthestreetswithdwellings. thenyouwillfindyourjoyintheLord andIwillcauseyoutorideontheheightsoftheland andtofeastontheinheritanceofyourfatherJacob

29

ThemouthoftheLordhasspoken Isaiah58:89,1112,14 Darknesswillgivewaytolight.Lifewillbehappy.Therewill be unity and peace in the family. Let the chains of injustice loosen.Christwastiedtothecrosssothatyoumaybeuntied fromsin.TheKingofKingswasmountedonCross,fixedon three nails and died like a criminal to untie the cords of my yokeandyouryoke. The moment you believe that Christ died on the cross for mysins,Hisbloodwillloosenthechains,untiethecordsthe chainsofinjustice.Andyouwillbefree. Doyouwantthatfreedom?Doyouwantthechainstobe broken?Doyouwantpeaceinlife?Letsinsbewashedaway. Notonlytheeternalmanifestationsofsindeedsandwords but also sinful thoughts, sinful fancies, sinful desires, temptations,sinfulinterestsberemovedfromthehearts.Let yourheartbepure. ItsGodswillthatyoushouldbesanctified IThessalonions4:3 IntheearlypartoftheSermonoftheMountMathew Chapterfive,Christsaid: Blessedarethepureinheart FortheywillseeGod Mathew5:8 freeofallbondagesandTobefittoworshipChrist,abandon yoursinsandstartanewlife.

30

Six
Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham,whomSatanhaskeptboundforeighteen long years, but set free on the Sabbath day from whatboundher Luke13:16

ThebondageofSatan.WithreferencetohealingChristgave tothecrippledwoman,wethoughtaboutcertainbondagesin manslife. one:bondageofdisease two:bondageofsin three:bondageofSatan Christaskedwhetheritwasnotrighttosetfreethiswoman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had kept bound for eighteenyearsontheSabbathdayfromwhatboundher.

31

CalamitiesbefallpeopleduetothebondageofSatan.Evil spirits, devils and ghosts influence people. Many people are possessed.TheyareinthebondageofSatan. The reason the son of God appeared was to destroy the devilswork. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the son of God appeared wastodestroythedevilswork.Noonewhoisborn of God will continue to sin, because Gods seed remainsinhim;hecannotgoonsinningbecause hehasbeenbornofGod. IJohn3:89 ChristcametountiethebondagesofSatan.Prophet Isaiahhadsaid. The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,toproclaimtheyearoftheLordsfavour andthedayofvengenceofourGod,tocomfortall who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in. Ziontobestowonthemacrownofbeautyinstead of ashes, the act of gladness and a garment of praiseinsteadofaspiritofdespair. Isaiah61:13 SevenhundredandfiftyyearsbeforeChrist,prophetIsaiah recordedwhytheeternalGodsenthisonlyson,thePrinceof Heaven,theLordJesusChrist,tothisearth.

32

One:topreachgoodnewstothepoor.topreachgospelto thelonely.InLukechapter4verse18weseethis.Thespirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach goodnewstothepoor. He hassent meto proclaim freedom fromtheprisonersandrecoveryofsightfortheblind,torelease the oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lords favour and thedayofthevengeanceofourGodtocomfortallwhomourn andprovideforthosewhogrieveinZiontobestowonthem acrownofbeautyinsteadofashes,theoilofgladnessanda garmentofpraiseinsteadofaspiritofdespair. ChristwilluntiethebondageofSatan.Hewillremovethe sinsthroughwhichSatanlaysclaimsonman.Curseswillbe lifted. Calamities that have befallen generations will come to an end. Satans hold on man will be removed. Christ is the onewholiftsthebondageofSatan. There is a beautiful story. The story belongs to a period when slave trade was prevalent. There were markets where humanbeingswereboughtandsoldlikecattle.Ifwebeatup or kill the domestic animals at home nobody will question it. Similarlytheslavecouldbebeaten,torturedandkilled. Duringthosepremitivetimestherewerethreeslavesina house,husband,wifeandtheirdarlingson.Theywereslaves who lived only to please their master. They would get their food,butnowages.Theyconsideredittheirluckthattheywere abletolivetogether.Thenonedaythemasterdecidedtosell them. Theyweretakentothemarket.Onepersonboughttheman. He went away with his new master crying bitterly. Another personcameandboughtthewife.Shetoowentwithhernew

33

masterweepinghopelessly.Shewouldnteverseehersonor husbandagain.Athirdpersonboughtthesontoo.Threeslaves who were living together under a single roof father, mother andsongotseparatedunderthreemasters.Whiletheywere being taken away, there was a good man standing there watchingtheirsobsandtears. He went to the man who bought the father and offered to buyhim.Heboughtthefatherpayingahugeprice,muchmuch higher than what he had been sold for. Then he went to the manwhoboughtthewifeatthepricehermasterquoted.He boughtthesontooandbroughtthemunderasingleroof.Oh, whatawonderfulhelptheygotfromthisnewmaster!He fed them well and told them that they were no longer slaves and that they were completely free to go and live wherever theychose. Butthethreesomefellatthemastersfeetandsaid,Master, weneednofreedom.Weneedyourpermissiontostayunder your roof. We would rather be slaves of a master who is so kindtous.Weareindeedfortunate.Theylivedwiththatmaster happilyeverafter. Mydearreaders,ifLordJesusChristliberatedusfromthe bondageofSatan,thenwemustlovehim,worshiphim,submit ourlivestohim.Givehimthewordnow.Master,youshedyour sinlessbloodforme,Iwillliveforyou.Youdiedinthecrossfor me,Iwillliveforyounowonwards.

34

Seven

SetmefreefromthePrison thatImaypraiseyourname Psalm142:7 Manssoulisinprison.Manisinbondage.Hissoulisinthe prisoninthebondageofSatan. There is the bondage of disease, there is the bondage of satan, there is the bondage of sin, there is the bondage of curse;duetomanyreasonsmanisinthebondageofsatan. Lord,setmefreefromtheprisonsothatImaypraiseyour name. AfterwardsMosesandAaronwenttoPharaoh andsaid,ThisiswhattheLord,theGodofIsrael, saysLetmypeoplego,sothattheymayholda festivaltomeinthedesert Ex5:1 Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival in the desrert.

35

ThisiswhattheLordsays:Letmypeoplego sothattheymayworshipme. Ex:8:1 Whyshouldthebondagebefreed.One:toholdafestivalin thedesert.Two:toworshipGod.Three:topraiseGodsname. OhGod,setmefreefromtheprison,sothatImaypraiseyour name. Unlessthebondageisremoved,thereisnoworship,there isnopraise,thereisnofestival. Today there are festivals, feasts, celebrations and big extravaganzas. These festivals are full of luxuries. In feasts and festivals there are fashions, illuminations, dramas and mega-events.Butthebondageisstillthere. Whatistherealfestival?Thefestivalthatoccurswhenthe bondage is removed, bondages of disease, bondages of curse, bondages of sin, bondage of Satan. When these bondagesgiveway,thereisfestival.Letmypeoplego,sothat theymayholdafestivaltomeinthedesert. Festival in the desert ! Is there a festival in your life ? Is therehappinessinyourlife?Istherepeaceinyourfamily?Is thereunityinyourlife.Arehusbandandwifeofonemind?Are parentsandchildreningoodterms?Arebrothersandsisters in discord? Are mother in law and daughter are at loggerheads? There is no happiness in many lives. No peace. No understanding.Nounity.Outsidethereareluxuries,banquets, hospitalities.Butthereisnofestivalinside.Itisabigtorment inside. Not even a molecule of peace. Mans life is growing miserabledaybyday.

36

one,ThisiswhattheLordsays.Letmypeoplegosothat theymayholdafestivaltomeinthedesert.Two,Letmypeople go so that they may worship me in the desert. Worship. To begintrueworship,thebondageshouldbebroken. InthebondageofPharoah,peoplehavenoworshipinEgypt. Going through slavery the people are deprived of worship. Abraham worshipped. Abraham who had worshipped idols foundtrueGodandtrueworship. Abrahams descendants became slaves in Egypt. AbrahamssonIssacworshippedGod.IssacssonJacobbuilt an atlar in Bethel and worshipped God.Abraham, Issac and Jacob built altars wherever they lived and worshipped God. JosephthesonofJacobwassoldawaytoEgyptasaslave. But he became a minister there and brought Jacob and his brothers to Egypt. After four hundred thirty years under the leadershipofMoses,IsraelitesbegantheirjourneytoCanaan. TheygotfreedomfromthebondageofPharoah. InPharoah'scountythereisnoworship.WheninPharaohs bondagetherecannotbeanyworship. Do you want worship ? Christ can give you worship. It is praise. We pray to God to make us competent to mount unfadingandincessantpraise,brightnessandglory.Butmany dontbecomecompetent.Whilepraisecontinuesinthemouth, itisnotnecessarythatthepraiseisthereintheheart. Wepray.Wemerelypaylip-service,butitisnotthereinthe heart. youcansaytoGod:mysinhasbeenwashedaway,so Ipraiseyou.Yourememberedmeinmylowliness,soIpraise you, you gave me the grace to overcome sins which would

37

havebeenotherwiseimpossible,soIpraiseyou.Suchpraise thatrisesoutofgratitudefromtheheartisrare. When you read this, my friend, examine yourself. Do you havepraiseinyourheart?Doyouhavetheblissofbeingone withGodinyourheart?Istherepeaceandhappinessinyour heart? Letthebondagebebroken.Letthecordsbeloosened.One bondageofdisease.Two,bondageofsin.Three,bondageof Satan. Letussubmitourselvesatthecrosssothatwemayoffer sacrificeandholdfestival. Gathertomemyconsecratedones, Whomadeacovenantwithmebysacrifice Psalms 50 : 5 Offersacrifice.OfferingsacrificeworshipGod.Amongthose whoreadthesewordshowmanyofyouhavethetruedesire tosacrificeyourselvesbeforeChrist?Howmanyofyouwant to start the new worship, worship in spirit, worship in love, worship in truth, and worship in peace ? Let them say good byetosin.LetthemforsakeSatan.LetthehandofChristbe upon them. Let them start a new life washed off all sins with theholybloodofChrist.

38

Eight
Gotothevillageaheadofyou,andasyouenter it,youwillfindacolttiedthere,whichnoonehas ever ridden. Untie and bring it here. If any one asksyou,whyareyouuntyingit?tellhim,The Lordneedsit. Thosewhoweresentaheadwentandfoundit justasHehadtoldthem.Astheywereuntyingthe colt,itsowneraskedthem,Whyareyouuntying thecolt?Theyreplied.TheLordneedsit. Luke19:30-34 Whyareyouuntyingit?Whyshouldweuntiewhatistied ?Ifthebondageisuntied,thereisworship.Ifthebondageis untied, there is praise, If the bondage is untied, there is sacrifice,Ifthebondageisuntied,thereisfestival.Whyshould thebondagebeuntied?BecauseJesusneedsit. Thecolthadbeentied.WhenthebookofExodusChapter 13 verse 13 and Chapter 34 verse 20 are read together we understandthatthecoltistiedtobekilledbybreaking.

39

Jesus asked them to untie the colt that had been tied to breakitsneck.Hesenthisdisciplestountiethecoltthathad beencondemnedtodie. JesusChristisuntyingthebondagetosaveusfromdrifling in to eternal damnation and to make us inheritors of eternal Heaven. Christ is willing to liberate us from satan who is draggingusdowntoeternalfireanddarknesschainedinsins, trappedincursesandnettledincalamities. Ifanyoneasksyouwhyareyouuntyingit?Tell him,TheLordneedsit. Luke19:31 Bondage is removed, for Christ needs it. Christ wants to rideit.ThedisciplesthrewtheircloaksonthecoltandJesus, satonthem.Peoplecutbranchesfromthetreesandspread themontheroad.Childrensprinkledflowers.Thecrowdsang. HosannatothesonofDavid.Theyspreadtheircloakson theroad.Thedonkeythathadbeencondemnedtodeathhad the great fortune to carry Jesus on his back, when he was untied. TheLordJesussitsonthecolt.Thecoltwalksonheroad pavedwithcloaks,leavesandflowers.Thecrowddancearound thecolt.Theysang.HosannatothesonofDavid. Thepaeanisnotforthecolt,butfortheonewhositsupon him.IfyouallowChristtoenteryoulife,hewillnotonlyuntie yourbondagebutalsowillmakeyouHiscarriage.Restingin yourheartHewillleadyou.Youwillbeendowedwithfortunes that you havent ever had in your life. The goodness, the progress, the happiness are due to the fact that Christ is on you.

40

Son,butforChristyouareazero.WithJesusIamahero, withoutJesusIamazero. Cant we submit ourselves as those who have Christ ? If ourbondagesareuntied,Christwillsitonyou.Lethimleadus ashepleases,thatbeingtherightpath.ThePsalmistsays Iwillinstructyouandteachyouinthewayyou shouldgo.Iwillcounselyouandwatchoveryou. Psalm32:8 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwardsyouwilltakemeintotheglory. Psalm73:24 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversityandthewaterofaffliction,yourteachers will be hidden no more ; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind your saying.Thisistheway;walkinit. Isaiah30:2021 Sadhu Sunder Singh was a Sikh Brahmin youth. He was very much agitated. The intelligent youngman was troubled withoutanypeace. Onenighthesatthinking.IfthereisaGod,Heshouldreveal Himself to me. Otherwise I will commit suicide by putting my headonthenearestrailwaytrackintheearlyhoursofmorning. Hedecidedtocommitsuicide. "IfthereisaGod,Heshouldappeartome.WhetherHeis Krishna,MohammedorSreeBudha,Heshouldappearbefore me.''Itwaslatenight.Hisfatherwasamagistrateahighofficial

41

andintellectual.Aftertwelveoclockwhenhecametohissons room he found him deep in thought. He told his son, go to bed.Heputoutthelightandwenttobed. Hecouldnotsleep:"IfthereisaGodheshouldappearto me. If such a God doesnt appear, I will put my head on the railwaytrackanddie.'' Nightgrewlate.Therewasabighalointheroom.Sunder Singhwasamazed.Afloodoflight.SunderSinghthought.Must Ihavebeenasleep?Hasitbecomeday?Heopenedthedoor andlookedout.Itwasstilldarkoutside.Thedayhadntdawned. Hecameinsidetothebrightlight.Whatbrightness!Againhe looked out. It was pitch dark outside. Thrice Sunder Singh lookedouttomakesure. Thirdtimehecameinside.Helookedstraightintothatbright light and stood non-plussed. Lo ! there was a person in the center of the light. It was Jesus Christ, bright like lightening. Those arms with the nail marks, those feet with nail marks. JesusraisedHishandtowardsSunderSinghandsaid. My son, My son I want you, My son I want you. Those wordssankdeepintoSunderSinghsmind. What serenity ! What mercy ! What brightness of purity ! SunderSinghsatmarvellingattheheavenlybrightness.After some time those hands raised towards Sunder Singh and graduallyfadedaway. SunderSinghsubmittedhimselftoChristonthatday.That spectacle transformed him. Jesus Christ lives. He wants to make us His beloved children.Ifanyoneasks,Whyareyouuntyingit?Tellhim, TheLordneedsit.

42

Lord,Isubmitmyselftoyou.Makeatriumphantentryinto myheart.Resideinme.Lord,leadmeandruleoverme.

43

Nine
TheycametoBethsaida,andsomepeoplebroughtablind manandbeggedJesustotouchhim.Hetooktheblindmanby thehandandledhimoutsideofthevillage.Thenhespaton themanseyesandputhishandsonhim,Jesusasked.Do youseeanything? Helookedupandsaid,Iseepeople.Theylookliketrees walkingaround. OncemoreJesusputHishandsonthemans eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restoredandhesaweverythingclearly.Jesussent himhome,saying,dontgointothevillage. Mark8:2226 JesusChristbroughtdeadpeoplebacktolife.Hegavesight to the blind. He made the lame walk. He healed the woman whohadbeenbleedingfortwelveyears.Hestraightenedup the woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. He healedtheleper.Heenabledapersonwhohadbeenaffected withpolioforthirtyeightyearstowalkawaywithhisbed.Christ performedanumberofsignsandmiracles. WhatweseeinMarkChapter8verse2-26istheepisode inwhichChristrestoredsighttoablindman.Christgavesight

44

to many blind people. But this episode is about a blind man whobelongedtoBethsaida. TheblindmanofBethsaidawasnotblindbybirth.Helost hiseyesighteitheronaccountofadiseaseorinanaccident. He had had sight once. He had enjoyed the nature and the beautifulthingsinnature.Butnowhehasnosight.Thisepisode isnotrecordedinanyothergospel.OnlyMarkhasrecordedit. There is the episode of a stammering deaf man in Mark Chapter7verse31onwards.Christhealedastammeringdeaf man. He no longer stammered. He could hear. He started talkingtoo.Thisepisodetooisnotrecordedinanyothergospel. ThereissomethingstrikingabouttheepisodeinwhichChrist gavesighttotheblindmanofBethsaida.Hedidnotgainsight even though Christ touched him. He was restored sight only whenChristputHishandinhiseyes. ThisepisodestandsoutfromallotherinstancesintheBible wheretheblindgainedsight. TheLordJesusChristreachedBethsaida.Theybroughta blindmantoHim.TheybeggedChristtotouchhim.Theymight belongtoBethsaida.WhytheybroughthimtoChristisevident fromthefactthatChristhadperformedamiraclethereonan earlier occasion. Philip, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ hailed from Bethsaida. Jesus Christ had done service at Bethsaida for threedays. ThousandsofpeoplegatheredonthehillsideofBethsaida. Menalonewerefivethousandinnumber,saystheBible.This episodehasbeenrecordedfaithfullyineachofthegospelsof

45

Mathew, Luke and John. Christ fed more than five thousand peoplebysanctifyingfiveloavesandtwofish. WhenChristwentasecondtimetotheplacewherehehad performed such a miracle, people brought the blind man to himandprayedtohimtotouchhimandhealhim. ButJesusChristtookhimbythehand,ledhimtoaplace outside of Bethsaida. Why did Christ take him outside Bethsaida?Besides,afterhealinghimChristsaid,Dontgo intothevillage. DespitethegreatmiracleinBethsaidawhereChristfedfive thousand people with five loaves, the people of Bethsaida neither believed, nor recognized Christ which the Lord denounces. WoetoyouKorazin!WoetoyouBethsaida! Ifthemiraclesthatwereperformedinyouhadbeen performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tellyou,itwillbemorebearableforTyreandSidon onthedayofjudgementthanforyou Mathew11:21-22 Even though the miracle was performed in Bethsaida the people there did not repent. Due to their lack of faith Christ couldnotdoanythinginsideBethsaida.Hetooktheblindman outsideBethsaida.TheLordwaswillingtohelphim,butcould notdoitinBethsaida.Bethsaidaisaccursed. It is a very serious lesson the Bible teaches us. Miracles took place. People witnessed many things which would normally make them believe. If such people were still hardheartedanddidnotrepent,theblessingsandfortuneswhich manywereeligiblewouldbelostuponthem.

46

ThemiraclesperformedbyJesusChristincludingtheone inwhichhefedmorethanfivethousandpeoplewithsumptuous meal with just five loaves and two fish were lost upon those people. In the early verses in the sixth chapter of Gospel as saidbyMark,itisrecordedthathecouldnotdoanymiracles duetotheirlackoffaith. Where there is lack of faith, God cannot do miracles. Our LordsaystoMaryandMarthaofBethany,Ifyoubelievedyou wouldseethegloryofGod. When the people of Bethsaida did not believe even after witnessingthemiraclesperformedbyChrist,Christdenounced that place with a heavy heart. Woe to you Korazin ! Woe to youBethsaida!Ifthemiraclesthatwereperformedinyouhad beenperformedinTyreandSidon,theywouldhaverepented longagoinsackclothandashes.Theywouldhaveruedtheir sins and would have come to God with great contrition. But youaredisbelievers.Nomiraclemakesyoubelieveandrepent, regrets Christ. ThelessonwhicheachoneofusshouldlearnisthatChrist isthecompletetruth;sorealaGod;Weunderstood,sonear aGod. Now,mybelovedfriend,wontyourepent?Christwhodied on the cross for you and resurrected has come very near to you.Accept him to your heart, offer your word to him, Lord, todayonwards,yes,todayonwards,Iwillbeanewbeing.Wash mewithyourbloodsothatImaybeanewman.

47

Ten
In Mark Chapter 7 verse 31 onwards we read that they broughttohimamanwhowasdeafandcouldhardlytalkand theybeggedhimtoplacehishandontheman.Therealsohe tookhimasideawayfromthecrowd,puthisfingersintothe mansears.Thenhespatandtouchedthemanstongue. Jesusspatintotheblindmanseyesandputhishandson him.Whatamiracle!Hiseyesopened.Buthegotonlyahazy sight:Notclearsight.Noclearinsight.Jesusasked,Doyou seeanything?Helookedupandsaid,Iseepeople.They lookliketreeswalkingaround.Hesawpeople.Hesawpeople walking.Buttheywereliketreeswalkingaround. Heknowstheyaremen.Theylookliketresswalkingaround, spirituallyspeaking,hegotrepentance.Christtouchedhim, he listened to the word of Christ. But he didn't get a clear insight.Manypeoplearelikethat. Jesuscaughthimbythehand,Jesusledhimoutsideofthe village.Gotachangefromtheoldcircumstances.Gotachange

48

in the heart. Circumstances changed. But the self hasnt changed. Unlikeinthepast,eyeshaveopened,butsightisnotclear. Many believers are like this. There is repentance. There is change. There is prayer. There is reading of the Bible. Congregations are there. It is a pleasure to attend prayer meetings.Listeningtothewordisasweetexperience.Butno clear insight has been gained. There are many people like this.They dont go beyond the first lesson of spirituality. No further progress. The first lesson of spirituality ! St. Paul would call them worldlyChristians.AccordingtoSt.Paul,theyarenaturalmen, worldlymen.Thereareworldlymenandspiritualmen. Natural men, the raw men are without absolutely any change.Worldlymanisnotlikenaturalman.Hedoesnthave anyofthenaturalmanstraits.Noaddictiontoliquor,noorgies, norowdyism,noarrogance,noabusiveorobscenewords,no bluefilmsandnolooselife. Thereischangefromthecarnalman.Butyetheisworldly. Thereisderision,revenge,selfishness,malice,jealousy,vanity inside.Thecarnalman.AbouthimSt.Paulwritestothepeople ofCorinth I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were notyetreadyforit.Indeedyouarestillnotready. Youarestillworldly.Forsincethereisjealousyand quarrelling among you, areyou not worldly?Are younotactinglikemereman? 1Corinth3:2-3 ApostlespeaksaboutthebelieversinCorinth.Thereisstill jealousyandquarrelling.Thereisrivalry.Differencesofopinion,

49

complaints and malice still govern their hearts. Self righteousness,scornanddislikestilllingerinlife.Apparentsins havegone.Noidolworship.Nomagicandsorcery.Noworship ofGreekGods.Yetcertainsinsdontgoaway,theyclingon. Manybelieversareinthisstate. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead WhatSt.PaulwritesinthemessagetothechurchinSardisis aboutsuchpeople. Theysayheisalive,heisachristian,heisabeliever.He belongstoacongregation.Butnotinlife.Notransformationin life. Nature hasnt changed. The intense desire to attain the imageofChristisnotthere.ThedesiretobeonewithChrist, belikeChrist,notallowingamoleculeofsininlifeisnotthere. Worldly Christians ! TheLordwantsyoutochangefromthisterriblemess.Do youseeanything?Heasked.TheblindmanofBethsaidagot alittlesight.Butforhimpeoplelookliketreeswalkingaround. Hasyourperspectivechanged?Hasyournaturechanged? Has your sin gone ? Has your anger vanished ? Has your quarrellingnaturechanged?Areyouabletoobeyyourparents? Areyouabletoloveyourwifeinfullmeasure?Isyourfamily lifesound?Doyoustillmaintainpartialities?Doyoustilllike flattery?Doyoustillindulgeinselfjustificationandselfpraise? Examinewhatallsinsarethereinyourlife. When you read this word, arrive at a resolution. Oh Lord, give me a complete transformation. Give me a complete perspective, a real vision, a clear vision. Lord, be merciful to me.

50

Eleven
Butthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsof thespiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim : neither can he know them because they are spirituallydiscerned.Buthethatisspiritualjudgeth allthings,yethehimselfisjudgedofnoman.For whohathknownthemindoftheLord,thathemay instructhim?ButwehavethemindofChrist. (1Corinth2:1416) And I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babesinChrist.Ihavefedyouwithmilk,andnot withmeat:forhithertoyewerenotabletobearit, neitheryetnowareyeable. (1Corinth3:12) The apostle Paul says here that the Christians of Corinth were carnal. They hadnt received the spiritual experience. Theyhadntgrowntoaspiritualstate.Norweretheynatural. The natural man doesnot accept the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He is unable to understand it as it has to be judged

51

spiritually.HedoesntpayheedtothewordofGod,nordoes heunderstandit. Manypeoplearelikethenaturalman.Theyseeksatisfaction in orgies. They never bother whether there is God or Satan. Theyarenotabletodistinguishthegoodfromthebad.They liveastheylike.Theyareattachedtothedesiresofthebody. TheNaturalMancantthinkbeyondthemattersofpleasure, entertainment,food,sleepetc. Thereisasectionofthesocietywhoareunabletoperceive any sin in orgies, cinemas, theatres, casinos, immoral trafficking,rapes,molestations,murders,looting,professional killing, rioting, corruption, bribe and indulge in them merrily hardlythinkingabouttheeternityafterdeathorworryingwhether thereisheavenorhell. The natural man doesnot accept the teaching of the Holy Spirit.HeisnotabletorecognizetheHolySpirit.Hedoesnot bothertounderstandwhoJesusChristis.Heisntevensure whether there is God. He is neither willing nor capable of listeningtothewordofGod,acceptingitandunderstandingit. TherearecarnalChristians.Howdoyoudistinguishthem? ?MostoftheChristiansinCorinthwerelikethat.Theyhadthe graceofGod.Someofthemhadthegiftoftongues.Someof themhadvisions,someofthemhadrevelations,someofthem wereabletoexorcizeevilspiritsthroughPrayer.Someofthem prophesied.Buttheydidnotpossessthecorefeeling,ie,love. They did not have love which is the basic wealth. No mutual love.Onlymalice.Apostlecallsthemcarnal. Youaresheercarnalmen,someofyousaythatyouareof Paul,someofAppollos,someofCephasandsomeofChrist. Contentions,controversies,factionalism,groupismallthese develop or make it appear to develop in the name of Christ.

52

TherearemanysuchChristians,baptizedbelieverswhoare yettogettherealvision. Like the blind man of Bethsaida they are able to see. But people walk like trees in their vision. Not the real vision. It is trueJesustouchedthem.Theyarenotnaturalmen.ItisJesus whoworksinthem.Thatiswhytheygotavision.Hadtheynot beenblind?Hadtheynotbeeninpitchdarkness?Manyterrible sinshaveleftthem. Areyoustillinthisstate?Notyetobtainedatriumphantlife. Notfilledwithlove.Stillnotabletodistinguishthegoodfrom the bad, to discard the bad and to accept the good. No determinationtoabstainfromsin. Notyetachievedthepuritynottoletafragmentofthought theeviloneputsclaimon.Friend,whatisyourstate?Think of it. Have you got the real vision ? Are you spiritual ? The spiritualmanhasthemindofChrist.Butwehavethemindof Christ. 1Corinth2:16 According to theApostle the spiritual man is the one who hasthemindofChrist. DoyouseektoobtainthemindofChrist,theheartofChrist, thesamenatureofChrist? Whatanhonour!Whatimageandlikenessdidtheeternal GodwhocreatedmaninHisownlikenessgavehim? What is meant by Gods likeness and image ? It isnt the shapeorformwhichweseeoutside;itisastateofspirit.The spiritacquiresthelikenessofGod.Inthefourthchaptersecond epistleofCorinthiansApostlePaulreferstoitasInnerMan.

53

Forwhichcausewefaintnot;butthoughour outwardmanperish,yettheinwardManisrenewed daybyday. 2Corinth4:16) Theinnerman,theinwardmangets stronger day by day. Theoutwardmandeclines,diminishesmaybeoutofdisease oroldage.Thefaintertheoutwardman,thestrongertheInner man. Doyouwanttoexperiencethisgreatprivilege?Toacquire the likeness of Jesus Christ. To love as Jesus Christ loved. Purelove,unconditionallove,selflesslove,lovethatcaresfor others,lovethatdoesntdiscriminatetheenemy,thelovethat prays for the tormentor, the love that forgives the sinner, the eternalloveofGolgotha. Lord,givemetheloveofChrist,likenessofChrist,thepurity of Christ. Christ has no discrimination, no partiality. He has neitherfearnorfavour. "Iamtheway,thetruthandthelife.''Jesussaid.Hedidnt say he would show the way but He said He is the way. He didnt say that He would show the truth, He is the truth. He didntsayHewouldshowyouthepathoflife.Hehimselfisthe life.Iamtheway,thetruthandthelife. Will you accept Christ ? Will you realize your state ? Do youwanttoacquirethenature,thelikeness,theimageofChrist? He is keen to return to you his nature, his likeness and his image.Hepledgestoredeemthemtothosewhohadlostthem. Whilereadingthewordnow,youcanopenyouhearttoGod andpray. Lord,Iamyettobecomeaspiritualman.Ihavewastedmy time.Bestowonmeacompletevision,theinsighttoperceive

54

things spiritually; give me the grace to peer through and perceivethingsinclarity. TheblindmanofBethsaidagotonlyafaintvisioninthefirst instance.Hesaidhesawpeopleastrees.Thosewhohavent gotthefullvisioncanpraytoGod.Hewillopenyoureyes,He willblessyou,Hewillputhishandsonyou.Hewilltouchyour eyes,Hewillrestoreyourvision.Hewilltransformyouintoa spiritualman.

55

Twelve

Afterthatheputhishandsagainuponhiseyes and made him look up; and he was restored and saweverymanclearly.AndHesenthimawayto hishouse,saying,neithergointothetown,nortell ittoanyinthetown. (Mark8:2526) Again Jesus put His hands upon his eyes. He felt compassionforhim.Hewantedsight,Hewantedtoseeclearly, hewantedtorestorecompletevision.HeputHishandsupon his eyes. He put His hands at the very same spot where he wantedtobehealed.Heisreadytotouchyourproblems. Where Jesus puts his hand, there is healing, there is triumph, there is peace. Where Jesus touches, there is miraculoushealing.LetJesusputhishandsonyou. WillyousaytoJesus?Lord,ifyouputyourhandsonme, myinnereyewillopen,sensewilldawnonme.Icanpeerat everythingandseethemclearly.

56

MylivingGod,feelcompassionforme,showmercyupon me,Lord,putYourhandsonme. Willyoupray?LettheLordtouchyou,lettheLordhealyou, DoyouwanttheLordtotouchthepartwhichisdefective?Do youwanthimtotouchyourheartwhichisfullofanger?Your angrymind,yourmaliciousheart?Doyouwanthimtotouch yourheartwhichisriddledwithrevengeandmalice?Doyou wanttheLordtotouchyouwhoisconstantlyfailingsothathe maygiveyoutriumph. When you repent, abandon your sins and pray for Lords mercy,hewillworkmiracleonyou.Hewillgiveyousuccess. Hewillwashawayyoursins,Hewilltransformyourcharacter, Hewillgiveyouanewvision.TellJesuswhereithurtsyou.Tell Jesus where you have sinned. Tell him with out reservation. Giveyourwordthatyouwontsinanymore. Son, do hideous and abysmal fancies overpower you ? Daughter,doforbiddenanddirtythoughtstormentyou?Does sinenteryourdreams? Jesus Christ can remove the hideous fancies and adulterousdesires.ItisenoughthatHishandsfallonyou.Oh Lord,Idowanttobeliberatedfromforbiddensins.Iwillkeep myselfpuresoasnottosineveninathought.Pray,"Lord,put Your hands on me, take hold of me.'' Give your life in to the handsofChrist.Giveyourwordtohim. TohimJesussaid,Neithergointothetown.Sosayinghe senthimawaytohishouse. Bethsaidawasruinedduetotheirdisbelief.Faithlessness wasrampantinBethsaida.Faithlessnessgrewintheterritory

57

whereJesusChristworkedHismiracles.Therefore,ifHewent intothemidstofthefaithless,havingexperiencedthemiracle wroughtbyChrist,heislikelylosehisfaith.Heislikelytolose thegracehereceived.SoyouneednotgobacktoBethsaida, dontenterthevillage,goawayfromthere. Beseparatedfromthefaithless.Donthaveanythingtodo withpeoplewhohavenofaith,whorevileGod,whorejectGod. "Birds with the same feather flock together,'' says the old proverb. Keep away from sinners. Donot follow evil mens advice. Do not hang around with sinners. Do not sit in the seats of scoffers.Leadafullyseparatedlife.RelyonGod.Beginanew lifearepentantlife,Godblessyou.

58

Thirteen
AndwhenJesusdepartedthence,twoblindmen followedhim,crying,andsaying.Thou,sonofDavid, have mercy on us.And when he was come in to thehouse,theblindmencametoHim;andJesus said unto them : Believe ye that I am able to do this?Theysaiduntohim,Yea,Lord.Thentouched theireyes,saying,Accordingtoyourfaith,beitunto you.Andtheireyeswereopened;andJesusstrictly charged them, saying, see that no man know it. Buttheywhentheyweredeparted,spreadabroad hisfameinallthatcountry. (Mathew9:2731) ThemiraclesChristdidaremanifold.Christwhoresurrected andlivesstillcontinuestoworksignsandmiracles.Heheals thesick,exorcizestheevilspirits,bestowspeacetothefamilies, givessolacetothebroken-hearted,fetchesrelieftothosewho are helpless, breaks open a new path to those who have no wayahead.Hebringshelptothosewhoareindebt.Hefinds

59

solutionstothosewhoareneckdeepinproblems.Eventoday Christ continues to bless people by giving peace, relief, forgiveness,redemptionfromsinandhealingfromsickness. We read here the event of Christ giving sight to two blindmen.Theseblindmenhadnotbeenbornblind,theyhad had sight. But due to some reason they lost their sight, may be due to disease or an accident. Some how they lost their sight. IntheBiblewereadofatleastsixblindmenwhowerecured of their blindness on different occasions. We identify two of themhere.Wedontknowtheirname,norisitrecordedbySt. MathewintheGospel.Theywereblind.TheyaddressedChrist as the son of David. They were Jews, they believed in the Jewish religion. Jews did not believe in Christ nor had they recognizedChristastheMessaiahborninthelineageofDavid andwouldsitonthethroneofDavid.WhenamajorityofJews didnotrecognizeChrist,aminorityofJewsrecognizedHim. ThosetwoblindmenwereamongthosewhorecognizedHim. When a minority, a few people recognize Christ it is a fortune,itisanhonourtobeamongstthem.WeobtainGods grace when we stand for truth instead of taking a stand with themajoritywhooppose,contestanddefy. Theybegged,ThousonofGod,havemercyonus.May be they had listened to the footsteps of people who followed Christ. They might have asked about the noise. They might havelistenedtothepeopletalkingtoeachother.Anyhowthey werepreparedtofollowChrist.Someoneinthecrowdmight havehelpedthem.

60

They followed Christ up to the house where Christ would reside. When he was come in to the house, the blind men cametohim.Someonemighthavegiventhemahand,guided them.Theyfollowedcrying.ThousonofGod,havemercyon us.Theywouldcrysofrequently.ThousonofGod,havemercy onus. Jesusneverlookedatthemortalkedtothemtillhereached the house. When he reached there they also reached there withthehelpofsomepeople. They stood before Christ and cried, Thou son of David, havemercyonus.Jesusaskedthem,BelieveyouthatIam abletodothis?Christwastestingtheirfaith.Godsgraceis wonbypeoplewhobelieve.GodwillbestowHisgraceonevery one who places his faith in Him and wants to obtain eternal life. Entreat with faith, go nearer to Jesus with faith. Pray relentlessly with faith. You will get grace from Christ. David sings in Psalms 123. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou, that dwellest in the Heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress.SooureyeswaitupontheLordourGod untilthathehasmercyuponus. (Psalms123:12) OhLorduntilyoushowmercytome,Iwillwaituponyou.I willprayontillIgetareply.Christsaidinthesermon:

61

Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek and ye shallfind;knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou: for everyone that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh, it shall beopened.Orwhatmanisthereofyou,whomif hissonasksbread,willhegivehimastone?Orif he ask a fish, will he give a serpent ? If ye, then, beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftsuntoyour children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? (Mathew7:711) Ask incessantly. Ask with faith. Ask relentlessly. In the beginningof18thchapterofthegospelaccordingtoSt.Luke Lordspeaksaparable.Themessageoftheparableistopray relentlessly. Andhespokeaparableuntothemtothisend, that men ought always to pray and not to faint ; saying,Therewasinacityajudge,whichfeared not God, neither regarded man and there was a widowinthatcity;andshecameuntohimsaying, Avenge me of mine adversary.And he would not forawhile;butafterwardshesaidwithinhimself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man ; yet becausethiswidowtroublethme,Iwillavengeher, lest by her continual coming she weary me.And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust Judge saith. AndshallnotGodavengehisownelect,whichcry dayandnightuntohim,throughhebearlongwith them?Itellyouthathewillavengethemspeedily. Luke18:17

62

God has tremendous tolerance for his elect who ask Him relentlessly,itshallbegiventohim AndshallnotGodavengehisownelectwhichcrydayand nightuntohim,thoughhebearlongwithhim?Itellyouthathe willavengethemspeedily.Lordsaid.Tothewidowwhoasks to avenge her of her adversary, to the widow who asks relentlesslytheLordavengesspeedily. LetuspraytoGodrelentlessly.Thetwoblindmenfollowed Christaskingrelentlessly.WhenChristenteredthehouse,they approachedHim.TheLordaskedthemwhethertheybelieved thatHewasabletodoit.Theysaid"yes.'' DoyoubelievethattheLordisabletogivewhatyouask? Do you believe that He has compassion for you ? Do you believe that He loves you personally ? Are you able to give Yestothosequestions,myfriends? Yes, Lord,Yes, I believe. While reading this, you ask with fullfaith,yourfaithonGodssupremepower,Godssupreme love,suprememercy.PrayforHismercy.

63

Fourteen
AndwhenJesusdepartedthence,twoblindmen followedhim,crying,andsaying,ThousonofDavid, have mercy on us.And when he was come in to thehouse,theblindmencametohimandJesus saithuntothem.BelieveyouthatIamabletodo this?Theysaid,untohim,Yea,Lord.Thentouched hetheireyes,saying,Accordingtoyourfaith,beit untoyou.Andtheireyeswereopened. (Mathew9:2730) WhatisdepictedhereisthemiracleinwhichJesusChrist healedtwoblindmen.Inthelastchapterweconsideredtheir faith, their tireless pursuit of Jesus, their meeting Jesus with prayerandentreatiesonhisreachingahouse. We understood that deep faith and tireless prayer is instrumentalinwinningGodsfavour.Letusconsider,bythe graceofGod,anotherpointrelatedtothis.

64

Blindnessdenotesspiritualignoranceandfaith.Inthesixth chapter tenth verse of Isaiah, the word of God says unequivocally. Andhesaid,goandtellthispeople.Hearye indeed,butunderstandnot;andseeyeindeed,but perceivenot.Maketheheartofthispeoplefat,and maketheirearsheavyandshuttheireyes;lestthey see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah6:910) ThisisthewordofGodspokenthroughtheprophetabout people who hear but do not understand, who see but dont perceive, but also donot convert and get healed. Their eyes havegoneshutanddonotperceive. Theyhearbutdonotunderstand.Theydontrepentandlift theirheartstoGod.Theydonotrepent,thereforedonotget healed.Theirheartshavegonefatduetotheirfaithlessness. Wereadthattheyhavegonespirituallyblind. Butheansweredandsaid,everyplantwhich my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rootedup.Letthemalone:theybeblindleadersof the blind.And if the blind leadeth the blind, both shallfallintotheditch. (Mathew15:1314) AccordingtoLord,thephariseswhowerethemostfanatic amongtheJewsaretheblindwholeadtheblind.Iftheblind leadtheblind,bothfallintotheditch. If our heart doesnt break, unless we repent, we are spirituallyblind.

65

ApostlePaulsaysinhisepistle. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorantofthismystery,lestyeshouldbewisein your own conceits, that blindness in part is happenedtoIsrael,untilthefullnessofthegentiles becomein. (Romans11:25) Hardnessbefalls,hardnessoftheheart.Peterinhissecond epistledwellsonwhatisblindnessandwhoisblind. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue ; and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness,charity.Forifthesethingsbeinyou,and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barrennorunfruitfulintheknowledgeofourLord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind,andcannotseeafaroff,andhathforgotten thathewaspurgedfromhisoldsins. (2Peter1:59) Thosewhohavegonespirituallyblindnevergetabsolved of their sin and do not get purified. They have lost and are obliviousoftheirfaithintheabsolutionandpurificationChrist offers. Those who have no enthusiasm, no faith, no intensity, no knowledge, no triumph over sensuality, constancy, piety, brotherhood,loveetc.areblind.

66

Whydontyoulookintoyourself?Areyouspirituallyblind? Haveyougotacontriteheart?Abrokenheart?Thewordof Godsays: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and contrite heart. O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalms51:17) AskingforGodsmercywithacontriteandbrokenheartis morepleasingtoGodthanyoursacrifices. TheLordisnighuntothemthatareofabroken heart;andsavethsuchusbeofacontritespirit (Psalms 34 : 18 ) Who does God come nearer to ? Who does God save ? Godisnearertothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhohave acontritespirit.Abrokenheartandacontritespirit. Doyourepentofyoursins?Areyoustillcomplacentlooking backtoyourlifeandpridingyourselfofyourtraditionandbeing selfrighteouswithoutrecognizingyoursins?Hasyourmind gonenumb?Hasyourheartgonefat? ThenecessityofthehouristorepentthatIam asinfulmanlikeIsaiah.ThensaidI,woeisme! forIamundone;becauseIamamanofunclean lips;andIdwellinthemidstofapeopleofunclean lips. (Isaiah6:5) Yougetcontritionwhenyourepentandthenyouget spiritualperception. Itissaidinchapter36Ezekiel

67

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spiritwillIputwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythe stonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyoua heartofflesh. (Ezekiel36:26) Doyouwantthisgreatfailure?Christ,hungtothreenails, writhinginpain,bloodandwaterflowingoutofhisbody,prayed withacontriteheart.MyGod,whyhastthouforsakenme? On the cross the first words spoken by Lord were Father, forgivethem;fortheyknownotwhattheydo Will you accept the love on the cross ? Will you perceive theloveonthecross?Willyourecognizethesupremesacrifice on the cross ? Will you understand the sanctity of the holy bloodshedonthecross?Willyouputyourfaithinit?Ifso, youwillgetacontriteheart.Youwillrepentofyoursinfulstate. Goddoesnotdespiseacontriteandbrokenheart.

68

Fifteen
And as they departed from Jericho a great multitudefollowedhim.And,behold,twoblindmen sittingbythewayside,whentheyheardtheJesus passedby,criedout,saying,Havingmercyonus. O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace,buttheycriedthemoresaying,havemercy onus,OLord,thousonofDavid.AndJesusstood still and called them, and said, what will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassiononthemandtouchedtheireyes;and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followedhim. (Mathew20:2934) Jesus was passing by two blind men sitting begging onacrowdedJerichostreet.Abigcrowdwerefollowinghim. Theblindmensittingbythesideofthestreetwerebegging. Theyhadhadsight,butlostit.OneofthemBartemeus

69

AndtheycametoJericho:andashewentout ofJerichowithhisdisciplesandagreatnumberof people, blind Bartemeus, the son of Timeus, sat bythewaysidebegging.Andwhenheheardthatit was Jesus, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thousonofDavid,havemercyonme.Andmany chargedhimthatheshouldholdhispeace:buthe cried the more a great deal. Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commandedhimtobecalled.Andtheycalltheblind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise ; hecalleththee.Andhe,castingawayhisgarment, roseandcametoJesus.AndJesusansweredand saiduntohim,whatwiltthouthatIshoulddounto thee ? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I mightreceivemysight.AndJesussaiduntohim, gothyway;thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesusintheway. (Mark10:4652) AsdifferentfromtheGospelaccordingtoMathew,weread in the Gospel according to Mark that a blind man, named Bartemeus sat begging in the street of Jericho. Between the twoblindmenthisblindmanwasspeakingloudlyandtherefore Mark has mentioned his name. The episode is also found in the Gospel according to Luke. There also only Bartemeus is mentioned. The verses from 35 in Chapter 18 of the Gospel accordingtoLuke. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the waysidebegging:andhearingthemultitudepass by,heaskedwhatitmeant.Andtheytoldhim,that

70

JesusofNazarethpassethby.Andhecried,saying, Jesus,thouSonofDavidhavemercyonme.And theywhichwentbeforerebukedhim,thatheshould hold his peace ; but he cried so much the more, ThouSonofDavid,havemercyonme.AndJesus stood,andcommandedhimtobebroughtuntohim : and when he was come near He asked him saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee ? Andhesaid,LordthatImayreceivemysight.And Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight : thy faith hathsavedthee.Andimmediatelyhereceivedhis sightandfollowedhimglorifyingGod:andallthe people,whenthysawit,gavepraisetoGod. (Luke18:3543) Bartemeusandanotherbeggar,afriendofhis,satbegging bythesideofthestreetinJericho.Theycouldhearthemultitude passing by.They sensed the hustle and bustle of the crowd. They asked them what it was all about. The crowd told him thatJesusofNazarethwaspassingby. He had only heard that wherever Christ went there would besickpeople,andthesufferingandthepossessedwhowent toChristwouldgethealed.Nowtheyhavegotagoldenchance whenJesusispassingbythem. They cried aloud, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. The crowd rebuked him that he should hold their peace.Theycriedsomuchthemore.IntheGospelaccording toLukeweread:"Andtheywhichwentbeforerebukedhim, thatheshouldholdhispeace.

71

They are the ones who follow Jesus, but they dont have thekindness,compassionandloveofJesus.Thosewhodont know the nature of Christ follow Christ. People who dont understandChristsloveandthirstforhumansoulsarethere asfollowersofChrist.Thishasbeenthedegenerationofthe ChristianCommunitythebiggesttragedy. The evangelists should listen to this with shock. Gods servants should learn this with shudder. Evangelists, missionaries,thosewhoworkforcharityinthenameofChrist, thosewhohavecomeforwardwithenthusiasmtodogoodfor thesakeofChriststandinthewayofpeoplewhoareneedy andcryoutforChristwithoutrealizingtheloveofChristorhis anxietyforsouls. OhGodletthismisfortunebenotmine.Wemustpray.Let thiscatastrophenothappeninmylife.Letmenotbeafollower of Christ with out knowing Christ. Let me be a follower who hasdedicatedhimselfandhasknownChrist.Letmeemulate thecharacterofChrist. Do you want this great fortune ? Let us live and dedicate ourselves to Christ, knowing him experiencing him, realizing hisnatureandassuminghisimage. "Sothatwemayassumehislikeness Heassumedourlikeness'' Ourforefathershavesung.

""\n-e-am-ap-Ztc \n-e-ambv hp-h-kn-smcp \n-e\mw B-Ps\ t{]jn-n--h\mw \n-e-Xm-X kwkvXp-Xy

72

Xkmayw \mw ]qn-Sp-hm \psS kmay-a-h ]qp, \s- ]nXr-kp-X-cmn ]mh\ dqlm-sbmSp tNm am\-h-cq]w kzb-ta-m.''
Therearethosewhosingthishardlyknowingitsmeaning. Let us sing experiencing this. Let us pray experiencing this. LetusexperiencethenatureofChrist,thelikenessofChrist, thegreatfortuneofassumingtheimageofChrist.

73

Sixteen
And he cried saying, Jesus, thou Son of God have mercy on me. And they which went before rebukedhimthatheshouldholdhispeace;buthe criedsomuchthemore.ThouSonofDavid,have mercy on me.And Jesus stood and commanded himtobebroughtuntohim. (Luke18:3840) Jesusstopped,commandedhimtobebroughttohim.Christ whostandsbytheonewhopraysincessantly!Ifweprayfor themercyofChrist,hewillstopforusinspiteoftheopposition ofothers.Christstopped.WeseeintheGospelaccordingto Mark. Andmanychargedhimthatheshouldholdhis peace : but he cried the more a great deal. Thou sonofDavid,havemercyonme.AndJesusstood stillandcommandedhimtobecalled. (Mark10:48)

74

Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. The affection of Christ which beckons to us with love. Once we realizethatlove,wewillsurrenderourselvestothatgreatlove. TrustintheLord,anddogood;soshaltthou dwellintheland,andverilythoushaltbefed.Delight thyselfalsointheLord;andheshallgivetheethe desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD;trustalsoinHim;andheshallbringitto pass. Psalm37:35 CommityourlifetoGod,hewillsaveyou. Bartemeus cried. The other poor blind man joined him in crying. Jesus, Thou Son of God, have mercy on me. The crowd scolded them; asked them to shut up. But they didnt stop. They were the needy. The needy can not be stopped whoevertries. ThesocietymaystopyoufromgainingthemercyofChrist, from praying to Christ, from going to Prayer meetings, from attendingcongregations,fromsharingourtimewiththechildren ofGod,frombeingbornagain.Buttheneedywilltirelesslygo onprayingtoGod.Hewouldnotbacktrack.ThenJesuswould say.Callhim. Christsdiscipleswentandcalled. They called the blind man, saying unto him. Beofgoodcomfort,rise;hecalleththee. (Mark10:49) What a great affection ! The disciples conveyed that affection to him. He is calling you calling you personally.

75

Thosewhorebukedhimandaskedhimtoshutuparecalling him,Jesusiscallingyou. Who can resist if Jesus calls. If God is in our favour, who can be in disfavour. In the eighth chapter of the epistle to Romans the apostle says, What shall we then say to these things ? If God be for us, who can be against us ? He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for usall,howshallhenotwithhimalsofreelygiveus allthings?Whoshalllayanythingtothechargeof Gods elect ? It is God that justifieth. Who is he thatcondemneth?ItisChristthatdied,yearather, thatisrisenagain,whoisevenattherighthandof God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine ornakednessorperilorsword? (Romans8:3135) No force can separate us from the love of Jesus. Let tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, swordcome.ButwhocanseparateusfromtheloveofGod? AsitiswrittenForthysakewearekilledallthe day long ; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,northingstocome,norheight,nordepth, normyothercreature,shallbeabletoseparateus

76

fromtheloveofGod,whichisinJesusChrist,our Lord. (Romans8:3639) This conviction is the core and substance of christian life, thedeterminationthatnothingelsecanseparatemefromthe loveofJesusChrist. If you pray with this conviction,Almighty God will stop at your prayer. He will listen to you. He will listen to you with patience.Heisinnohurry. My dear friend, you can say whatever you want to ask without any reservation.Yes, You can ask your Lord without reservationyoursins,thetroublesthatdistressyou.Youcan unburdentheproblemsandcrisesthatobstructyou.Pouryour heartoutinthepresenceofGod. AsHannasaid:O,MyLord,Iamawomanofasorrowful spirit : I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have pouredoutmysoulbeforetheLORD. (1Samuel1:15) Hercountenancewasnolongersad.Sheleftthesynagogue withananswertoherprayer.IfyoupouryourheartouttoGod, you will find His grace. Her countenance no longer became sad. Myfriend,doyouwantanendtoyoursadness?Mysister, doyouwantanendtothegloomofyourheart?themonotony ofyourlife?Son,doyouwanttohaveabrightfuture?Prayto Jesusuntiringly.Hewillgrantyou. Jesusstood."Callhim,''Hesaid.Hecalledhimpersonally. Personalsalvation,personalfaith,personalaffection.personal

77

faith in Christ. The personal Salvation Christ grants; Jesus who loves us calls us. Personal Call. Will you now listen to thiscalloflove?Willyoupayheedtothiscall?Willyougive wordtohim? Jesus, I am coming. Rise. Rush to God. Find His grace, findabsolutionofyoursins.

78

Seventeen
AndJesusstoodstillandcommandedhimto becalled.Andtheycalltheblindmansayingunto himsayinguntohim.Beofgoodcomfort,rise;he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered andsaiduntohim,whatwiltthouthatIshoulddo unto thee ? The blind man said unto him, Lord, thatImightreceivemysight.AndJesussaidunto him,Gothyway;thyfaithhathmadetheewhole. And, immediately he received his sight, and followedJesusintheway. (Mark10:4952) This episode is described in the Gospel according to Lukeasfollows. And immediately he received his sight, and followedhim,glorifyingGod:andallthepeoplewhen theysawit,gavepraiseuntoGod (Luke18:43)

79

Hecastawayhisblanket,roseandwenttochrist.He didntwanthisblankettobeanobstacle.Castawayeverything thatobstructsyoufromgoingtoChrist.Betheyyourcomforts, your orgies, your parties, cinema, TV serials, theatres, friendship,badhabits,vices,illicitrelations. Cast away everything. Let us go to Christ. Let us gain a spiritualvision.Letusbefreeofbondages.Thescaleswillfall offyoureyes.Youwillgaineternity.Leaveeverythingandrise. He rose casting away his garment and rushed to Christ. Thedisciplesguidedhim.WhentheneedyiscalledtoChrist, callinghim,helpinghimtohisfeetandguidinghimisfortunate, suchdisciplesaretheneedofthehour. Friends,letusbethedisciplesofGod,letusbetheservants ofGod.LetusbetheguideswholeadtheneedytoChrist.Let us do whatever possible to give a hand to the downtrodden, thedistressed,thetiredandtheweaktoapproachChrist.Let us be the ambassadors of Christ for this generation for the sake of Christ. BartemeusaddressesChristasRabboniwhichmeansMy Lord. There is the indication of a personal relationship in the wordmy.HeaddressestwiceJesus,thouSonofDavid. ButnowhecallshimRabboni(myLord)withpersonaltrust. WeseeanotherpersonwhoaddressesChristasLordinthe Bible.SheisMaryMagdaleneinverse16ofChapter20inthe Gospel according the John. We see Mary Magdalene fall at thefeetoftheresurrectedChristaddressinghimRabboniand hugginghisfeet. ChristappearedbeforeMaryMagdalenewhostoodweeping saying that Jesus was missing and asked, Woman, why

80

weepest thou? When Jesus addressed her Mary she recognizedthevoiceandcalledhimRabboni.Personalfaith, personalaffection,personalrelationship,enduringrelationship. ConsiderwhetheryouhaveapersonaltrustinChristwhen youreadthesewords.Doyouhavesopersonalarelationship that you may address Christ as Father and my Lord ? So personalafaith? Letithappenaccordingtoyourfaith,Yourfaithhassaved you.Immediatelyhereceivedhissight. Thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.Faith! Tothewomanintearswhokneltathisfeetandkissedthem inSimonshouseinthetownofNain,Jesussays:Yourfaith hassavedyou.Goinpeace.Yoursinsareforgiven. InChapter5oftheGospelaccordingtoMarkawomanwho hadbeensickwitha'bleeding'touchedChristsclothingand gothealed.Christsaidtoher. Daughter,thyfaithhathmadetheewhole:go inpeace,andbewholeofthyplague. (Mark5:34) Daughter, Your faith has made you well. Salvation is for those who have faith ! Grace is for those who have faith. Blessingisforthosewhohavefaith.Plentifulnessisforthose whohavefaith!Believe,youwillseethegloryofGod. At the grave of Lazarus of Bethany Jesus Christ said to Martha.Ifthouwouldestbelieve,thoushouldestseetheglory ofGodSalvationisthroughfaith.Thosewhobelievegetthe HolySpirit.

81

OwomangreatisthyfaithChristsaidonce.Faithisgreat. AgentilewomanbelongingtotheSurofoceaCaste,awoman ofCanaan,cametoChristcryingthatherdaughterwasbeing tormentedbyademonwithinher.SeeinghergreatfaithJesus said. O woman, great is thy faith ; be it unto thee even as thouwilt(Mathew15:28)Largefaith,enduringfaith. Let us be believers. Let us believe that Christ died on the cross for me. Let us believe that the Holy Blood He shed cleansesofallmysins.Letusbelievethatwearefreeofthe bondages of the evil spirit due to the death of Christ on the Cross. Let us believe that when we put our faith in Christ we are bornagain.Resolvethatyouwillleadalifefreeofsins.Believe thewordofChrist.IfamanbeinChristheisanew. GiveyourwordtoGodthatyouwillliveasanewcreation. Salvationthroughfaith,Christianlifethroughfaith.Holylife throughfaith. BelieveinChristandbeblessed.

82

Eighteen

AndJesussaiduntohim,Receivethysight: thy faith hath saved thee..And immediately he receivedhissight,andfollowedhim,glorifyingGod :andallthepeople,whentheysawit,gavepraise untoGod. (Luke18:4243) Onewhohadlostsightreceivedlight.Great!Onewhohad been blind, who sat begging by the wayside is able to see everythingclearly.Allareamazed. He stands never taking his eyes off Christ and he starts praising God. And immediately he received his sight and followedhimglorifyingGod.Jesusismovingforward.Hewalks forwardwithChristpraisingtheLord. Ifyouaregrateful,youwillpraise.Doyouhaveareasonto begrateful?AreyouawareanythinggoodGodhasdonefor you?Son,hasHenotgivenyoualargerleaseoflife?HasHe notrestoredyourhealth?HasHenothealedyourdisease? Has He not made you pass your examination ? Has He not

83

given you employment ? Has He not given you a means of livelihood?HasHenotliftedyourfamilyoutofpoverty?Has Henotpaidoffyourdebts? Youcravedforachildforlong.Hehasgivenyoutwochildren HasntGodblessedyou? AreyouawarethatGodhasgivenyoublessings?HasHe notputeternalhelloutofyourway?HasHenottakenoffyour bad habits ? Son, has He not saved you from drinking ? Daughter,hasHenotrestoredpeaceintoyourfamily?Has notyourlifewhichwasanightmaretoothersbecomearelief formany?HasnotGodgivenyouchange?Dear,didHenot giveyourepentance?Daughter,didnotGodgiveyouagood husband?Son,didHenotgiveyouagoodwife?HasntGod donegoodtoyou?HasntHegivenyouthehappinessofeternal life?HasntGodblessedyou?Areyougrateful?Praisehim forallthegoodthingsHehasdoneforyou. DavidglorifiedGodthus BlesstheLord,Omysoul:andallthatiswith inme,blessHisHolyName.BlesstheLord,Omy soulandforgetnotallHisbenefits.Whoforgiveth allthyiniquities;whohealethallthydiseases; For as the Heaven is high above theearth,sogreatisHismercytowardthemthat fear him ..As far as the east is from the west, so farhathHeremovedourtransgressionsfromus. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame;Heremembereththatwearedust. (Psalms103:1-3,11-14)

84

What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefitstowardsme.Iwilltakethecupofsalvation, andcalluponthenameoftheLord. (Psalms116:1213) DavidsangagaininPsalms136:Tohimwhoalonedoeth great wonders : for His mercy endureth for ever Who rememberedusinourlowestate;forHismercyendurethfor ever.. O give thanks unto the God of Gods : for His mercy endurethforever. (Psalms136:4232) OurforefatherswhofollowedGodpraisinghimprayed thus. Let us be made eligible to offer all the time, incessantly praise,glory;brightness,honourandneverfadinggreatness:

\ns kvXpXn-p--Xn \nv au\-am-bn-cn-m\pw \ns ]pI-gvp--Xn \nv Hgn-n-cn-m\pw Rv CS-bm-Icp-tX.

We have the tradition of our forefathers who taught us to prayLetme,myLord,neverceasethypraiseandhellelluah.. Oh child of God who prays the prayer our forefathers have taughtustopray. Wearesilentfromsingingthypraiseand Let it not be that away from glorifying you, kv X pXnbpw

kvtXm{Xhpw {]`bpw ]pI-gvbpw amp t]mIm DXnbpw CS-hn-SmsX Itc-p-hm Rsf tbmKy-cm--W-ta. D - oyoupraisetheLord?DoyouglorifyGod?
ItisrightandappropriatetopraisetheLordwithawe.We chantduringtheHolyMass.""`b-tmSp IqSn Im-hns\

85

kvtXm{Xw sNp-Xv bphpw \ymb-hp-am-Ip-p.'' Butdo

you truly experience that it is right and appropriate to praise theLordwithawe?Thelastexhortationtousattheendofthe HolyMassistoshout. He who is Holy Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit be worshipped and praised, from the beginning for generations praise be with you. ]nXmhpw ]p{X\pw ]cn-ip dqlm-bp-

ambh hn--s--h\pw kvXpXn--s--h-\p-am-Ip-p. BZnap-X Xe-apd Xe-apd hscbpw X\nv kvXpXn. lt-epm.
Do you shout it ? Do you feel like praising ? Bartemeus receivedhissight.HefollowedChristglorifyingHim. You,Godschild,GivehonourtoGodandfollowHim.Inthe first chapter of the gospel according to Luke Virgin Mary accepted Christ the word of God. Holding Christ in her wombVirginMothersangwhilevisitingElizabeth. AndMarysaid, MysouldothmagnifytheLord, andmyspirithathrejoicedinGod,mysaviour ForHehathregardedthelowestateofHishandmaiden for,behold,fromhenceforthallgenerationsshallcallme blessed. (Luke1:4648) MyheartrejoicesinGod.Praiseisoffered.Praise,you,the child of God. Praise with abundant joy in your heart, for the

86

salvationHegaveyou.Forthemercyhegave,magnifyHim. Fortheblessinghegave,praiseHim. BartemeusreceivedChrist,entreatedtohim,receivedsight, followedChristglorifyingHim.ChristdidntpassthroughJericho since then. Bartemeus used the first and last opportunity he couldhavegot.FromthereChristwentstraighttoJerusalem, tothecourtoftrialinJerusalem,tothegardenofGethsemene, tothecourtoftrialinGabbetha,tothepalaceofPilate.Further fromtherehewouldtreadtoGolgothacarryingtheCross.Had BertemeusnotfoundChristatthetimehedid,hewouldnever havehadthegoodfortunetofindhim. Son, use this chance you got wisely, In the epistle to the EphesiansApostlePaulsays, ..butaswise,redeemingthetime,becausethedays areevil. (Ephesians5:16) Againin2Corinthians Ihaveheardtheeinatimeaccepted andinthedayofsalvationhaveIhelpedthee.Behold, nowistheacceptedtime,beholdnowisthedayof salvation. (2Corinth:6:2) Cry for it before the ark of mercy closes its door, enter it soon.Christiswalkinghere.Hepassesbyyou.CallHim,pray toHim,receivesight.Dontcontinuetobeblind,dontcontinue tobeunfaithful,dontberelegatedtohell.Castawayyoursins,

87

lead a sinless life. Believe that Christ died on the Cross for you.SubmityourlifetoChrist.

Lord,formtodayonwardsmyselfandeverythingIown areyours.LordfromtodayIamyourslave.Jesus,since youdiedontheCrossforme,Iwillliveforyoufromtoday. Decide.Pray.

88

Ninteen
AndagainheenteredintoCaperna-umafter somedays;anditwasnoisedthathewasinthe house. And straightaway many were gathered together, in so much that there was no room to receivethem,no,notsomuchasaboutthedoor; and he preached the Word unto them. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, whichwasbornebyfour.Andwhentheycouldnot comenighuntoHimforthecrowd,theyuncovered theroofwhereHewas;andwhentheyhadbroken itup,theyletdownthebedwhereinthesickofthe palsylay.WhenJesussawtheirfaith,hesaidunto thesickofthepalsy,Son,thysinsbeforgiventhee. Buttherewerecertainofthescribessittingthere, and reasoning in the hearts. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only ? And immediately when Jesus perceivedinHisspiritthattheysoreasonedwith inthemselves,Hesaiduntothemwhyreasonye

89

thesethingsinyourheart?Whetheritiseasierto saytothesickofpalsy.Thysinsbeforgiventhee; ortosay,Arise,andtakeupthybedandwalk?But thatyemayknowthatthesonofmanhathpower onearthtoforgivesins,(Hesaithtothesickofthe palsy)Isayuntothee,Arise,andtakeupthybed andgothywayintothinehouse.Andimmediately He arose took up the bed, and went forth before them all ; in so much that they were all amazed andglorifiedGod,sayingwesawitonthisfashion. (Mark2:112) This is another miracle Jesus Christ did. The incident is recordedinthegospelsaccordingtoMathew,andLuketooin Mathew9:27,Luke:5:1825 Jesus entered a house inCaperna-um.Caperna-umisthenativeplaceofAndrewand Peter : Zebedee the father of John and James too belonged there.Caperna-umisintheDistrictofGalilee.Caperna-umis theplacewhereChristdidmostofhispublicservice. TheologistsopinethatthehouseChristenteredinCapernaum is most probably the house of Simon Peter. So Christ enteredPetershouseandthewordwentround. IfJesusentersahousethewordwillgoround.Jesusarrived at the house of wedding in Cana. He transformed water into wine.JesusarrivedatthehouseofLazarus,MaryandMartha. The stigma attached to their house vanished. The father of Lazarus, Mary and Martha was a leper. Theirs was a house peoplehadavoided.Thestigmawentaway. JesusenteredthehouseofLazarusinBethaneafourdays after the death of Lazarus. He resurrected Lazarus who had

90

beeninthegraveforfourdays.Jesusarrivedatthehouseof SimonPeter.Petersmotherhadbeenlaidupwithfever.Jesus healedher. JesuswenttothehouseofSimonthechiefphariseeinthe town of Naen in the district of Galilee. There a sinful woman fellatJesussfeetcryingandconfessedhersinsandbegged for mercy with a contrite heart. She received peace and absolution. JesuswenttothehouseofZaccheusinJericho.Zaccheus was blessed and his family saved. Christ said, This day is salvationcometothishouse,forasmuchashealsoisason ofAbraham.Zaccheuswssaved,hishousewassaved.Many people,thus,cametohearofJesusChrist. Miracles happened in the houses where Jesus went. The stigmavanished.Peaceandtranquilityprevailedinabundance in the houses which had been despised and ostracized. Disease was healed, calamities averted, death gave way. Disease gave way before the miraculous power of Jesus Christ. Evil spirits gave way, Satanic forces gave away. Bondageswerebroken.WhereverChristwentpeaceprevailed. PeoplecametohearthatChristwasinahouseinCapernaum. Anditwasnoisedthathewasinthehouse. (Mark2:11) DoesthewordgoroundthatJesusisinyourhouse?Does yourhouseresoundwiththewordofGod?Doesthelightof Godburnthere?DoesthelifeofJesuspulsatethere?Does

91

thehealingofChristdescendonthehouse?Letthewordgo roundthatJesusisthere. WhereJesusisthere,thereislove.WhereJesusisthere, thereispeace.WhereJesusisthere,thereistranquillity.Where thereisJesus,thereishealing.WhereJesusisthere,thereis solution for problems. Where Jesus is there, there is breakthrough from crises. Where Jesus is there, evil spirits will flee. Is Christ there in your house ? If you need Jesus to reside in your house, there should be Jesus in the hearts of people.IfJesusisintheirheart,Jesuswillcometothathouse. ItisgreattoholdChristinyourheart.Tosubmitoneselfto Jesusisagreatprivilege.Jesusreigninginyourheart,Jesus livinginyourheart,Jesusrulingyourheart,Jesuscontrolling anddirectingyourlife.Whataprivilege!Whatafortune! IsChristinyourheart?DoesthewordgetroundthatChrist isthere?AreyoufilledwiththeloveofChrist?Doyouhave the expression of Christ ? Do you have he image of Christ ? DoestheHolySpiritofGodreigninyou.ApostlePaulsays. KnowyenotthatyearethetempleofGod,and thespiritofGoddwellethinyou?Ifanymandefile thetempleofGod,himshallGoddestroy;forthe templeofGodisholy,whichtempleyeare. (ICorinth3:1617) YourheartistheholytempleofGod.Letyourheartbeholy. Iwilldestroytheonewhodefilesmyabode.Godstempleought tobeholy. Ourheartshouldbeholy.Isyourheartholy?Godstemple isholy.Doesloveresidethere?Istheretoleranceinit?Oris it that malice, grumblings, disappointments, gloom, revenge,

92

jealousy,arrogance,selfishness,greedformaterialwealthand positionreignthere?Whatisthestateofyourheart?Isitthe templeofChrist.Ifnot,transformitintoone. What ! Know you not that your body is the templeoftheHolyGhostwhichisinyou,whichye haveofGod,andyearenotyourown.Foryeare boughtwithaprice (ICorinth6:19) GodboughtyouwithHisHolyBlood.Doyoubelieveit?If so,giveyourselftoGodasHistemple.Hehasboughtyouin lieuofhisHolyBlood.GiveyourselftoChrist.Letthewordget roundthatChristisinyou.LetGodsnaturereflectinyou.Let the holiness and love of God emit from you. Let you be the sourceofblessingformany.

93

Twenty
And straightaway many were gathered together, in so much that there was no room to receivethem,nosomuchasaboutthedoor;and Hepreachedtheworduntothem.Andtheycome untoHim,bringingonesickofthepalsy,whichwas bornebyfour.Andwhentheycouldnotcomenigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was : and when they had broken it up, theyletdownthebedwhereinthesickofthepalsy lay, (Mark2:24)

Peoplegatheredthere.Theneedy,thegrieving,thoseriddled withpainandsuffering.Manycamethere.Therewasnospace insidetheroom,notevenatthedoor.Peoplewerepacked.To thisscenefourpeoplebroughtaparalysedperson.

94

He cannot walk himself to approach Christ. Therefore the fourpeoplehelpedhim,supportedhim.TheyhadfaithinChrist. Weread,Jesussawtheirfaith. TheyhavefaithinChrist.Thefourpeoplewhobroughtthe paralysed were good people. They were ready to help an invalid. They were not able to bring him to Christ. But there wasnospaceevenatthedoor.IfheisbroughtbeforeChrist, hewillbecertainlyhealed.ButhowtotakehimtoChrist? In normal circumstances one would think, we will come whenthecrowdislesswhenitisnotdifficult.Orwewilltake him to another person. They would worry or they would be discouraged.Thereisnowonderiftheydecidetotakehimto Christonanotheroccasion. But thy didnt think so. They were not discouraged. They werekeentotakehimtoChristandthoughtaboutawaytodo it.AsitwaswontinJudea,thehousehadaflatroofthatched withgrassoranythingelseofthesort. TheythoughtthattheycouldlowerhimtoChristiftheytook himuptheroof.Theysurveyedthepossibility. Simon Peter the house owner, understood their difficulty, theirproblem.Hesawtheirfaith.Petertoowasreadytogoout ofthewaytohelp. Heaskedthemnottoworry.Hewouldmakethenecessary arrangement to lift him to the roof. He allowed them to climb up and remove part of the roof. The need of the hour was to reachthemantoChrist,theroofcouldberepairedlater. Thefoursomewerereadytohelp.SowasPeter.Weseea goodattitude.Thewillingnesstohelpthesuffering!

95

Therearetwokindsofpeople.Problemmakersandproblem solvers. My dear friend, are you a problem maker at home, or a problemsolver.Areyoucreatingproblemathome? Do you cause pain to your wife ? Do you pester your husband?Son,areyouacauseofanxietyforyourparents? Youngster,haveyouruinedyourlifeandbecomeanightmare tomany? Thinkofit.Areyouaproblemmakerinyourlife?Orhave you been a problem solver in your life ? Let us be problem solvers. Let us decide that we dont cause any pain or create any problemforothers. The four who fetched the paralysed are problem solvers. The house owner who allowed them to remove a portion of theroofisalsoaproblemsolver.Theproblemsolverstogether brought the problem to the ultimate problem solver. The problemsolversunitedandsubmittedtherealproblemtothe onewhowasabletosolvetheproblemintherealsense. Devote your way to Christ. Put your trust in him. He will deliver. TrustintheLordwithallthineheartandleannotuntothine ownunderstanding. (Prov.3:5) Again,thePsalmistsays;IwillimploretothemightyLord anddelivermyselfformthehandsofmyenemies''

96

IwillcryuntoGodmosthigh; untotheGodthatperformethallthingsforme. (Psalms57:2) The ever living Christ is willing to do everything for you. DidnttheLordsaytotheLeper,Iwill;bethouclean.Heis willing.Heiswillingtohealus. While reading these words examine your life.Take a new decision to become a problem solver. Let me do whatever favourIcandoforothers.Letothersbenefitoutofmylove. DedicateyourselftoChristinordertoburndownasatorch for the sake of others like Christ who died on the cross to wipeawayyoursins.

97

TwentyOne
WhenJesussawtheirfaith,hesaiduntothe sickofthepalsy,son,thysinsbeforgiventhee. (Mark2:5) Christcouldmakeoutthatthecareandcompassionofthe peoplewhobroughtthepalsiedwereduetofaith.FaithinChrist. FaithinChristenablesustoovercometheobstacles.Faith inChristenablesustosolveproblems. Christ saw their faith. He said to him. Son, thy sins be forgiventhee.TheyhadbroughthimtoChristforhealingand notforabsolution.ButChristusedtheopportunitytogivethem anewlesson.Sinandforgiveness. SinandforgivenessconstitutethecoreofChristsmission. Man is a sinner and Christ is the deliverer from sin. The primarynecessityofasinnerisdeliverancefromsin.Onlythe onewhohasbeendeliveredofsinwillinherittheeternallife.

98

ThepenaltyforthesinofmankindwasbornebyChristwho wasblemishlessinHisbody.Thedeathwhichistherewardof sinwasexperiencedbyChrist.Thecurseofsinwasborneby Christ.Hehungontheaccursedcross.Hesubmittedhimself todeath. Christ came not to live but to die. He died on the cross to givelifetomanywhoweredeadinspirit.ChristsHolyBloodis thedeliverancetothesinner. .....withoutsheddingofbloodisnoremission (Hebrews9:22) .......the blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleansethfromallsin. (1John1:7) InthebookofIsaiahweread, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD : though your sins be as scarlet, they shallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyberedlike crimson,theyshallbeaswool.(Isaiah1:18) Thus Jesus taught them a great doctrine of sin and remission. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy,Thysinsbeforgiventhee;ortosay,Arise, andtakeupthybed,andwalk? (Maik2:9 Remissionofsinismoredifficult,why?Anyonewouldbe thirstytobehealedofsickness.Itisduetothepainexperienced inthebody.Theephemeralmanisthoroughlyphysical.Heis notawareofthedevastationofsinorthehorrorofeternalhell.

99

Ifmanissickinbody,heiskeenforcure.Thatisanecessity forhimitiseasytoworkinonewhohasnecessity. Butmannevercriesforremissionofsinwiththesamesense of necessity. If you implore, you will be granted remission. NeitherdoIcondemnthee:goandsinnomoresaidChrist tothewomanwhowascaughtintheactofadultery. Whoishewhocanforgivesin?Jesusistheonewhocan forgivesin. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnantofhisheritage?Heretainethnothisanger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turnagain,Hewillhavecompassionuponus;He will subdue our iniquities ; and thou wilt cast all theirsinsintothedepthsofthesea. (Micah7:1819) Godforgivesoursins.Thereisanotherreasonwhichmakes remissin of sin difficult. The relief of getting healed will last onlytilldeath.Thereliefandpeacethatgainfromremissionof sinarenotlimitedtothislifebutgobeyondittoeternity.The reliefofremissionprevailsthrougheternity. Son, dont you want forgiveness of your sins ? Daughter, dontyouwantyoursinstobeforgiven?Dontyouwanttobe cleansedintheHolyBloodofJesusChrist? Healingofthebodyisaphysicalexperience.Butforgiveness ofsinsisaspiritualexperience.Thatisthethirdfactor.Spiritual ismoredifficultthanphysical. Doyouwanttogainremission?Christistheanswer.

100

Blessedishewhosetransgressionisforgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whomtheLordimputethnotiniquityandinwhose spiritthereisnoguide. (Psalms32:12) The man whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is coveredisblessed.Realblessing.KingDavidhadhiscourts, his zenenas. his throne, his crown, his power, and what not. Buthehadnopeace.Hissinswerenotgrantedremission. Davidcriedinpsalms51: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness;accordinguntothemultitudeofthytendermercies blot out my transgressions. Against thee, thee only, have I sinnedanddonethisevilinthysight. Oh ! I have no tranquility. My lips are closed, praise suppressed. The walls of Jerusalem have collapsed on account of me. The city is open to the enemy for his act of Vandalism.Yourholyspirithasleftme.Iwasshapedininiquity andmymotherconceivedmeinsin.Againstyou,Ihavesinned. OGod,mysinisgreat.Havemercyonmeaccordingtoyour loving kindness, blot out my transgressions according to the multitudeofyourtendermercies.SoprayedDavid. God showed his mercy. David repented his sins. He got remission. David sang, The man whose transgression is forgivenwhosesiniscoveredisblessed. ReceiveChristwhoforgivesyoursins.Putyourtrustinthe HolyBloodofChrist.Prayforabrokenandcontriteheart.Pray forgenuinerepentance.

101

TwentyTwo
But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, ( he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise and takeupthybed,andgothywayintothinehouse. And, immediately he arose, took up the bed and went forth before them all ; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, we neversawitonthisfashion. (Mark2:1012) Lord Jesus Christ is the one who does what nobody has ever seen. Lord Jesus Christ is the one who was born as nobodyhaseverbeenborn.LordJesusChristisanamazing person who has spoken as nobody has ever spoken. Lord JesusChrististheonewhosatonacoltonwhichnobodyhad ever sat for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Lord Jesus Christisawonderfulpersonwhowascondemnedasnobody haseverbeencondemned.LordJesusChristisadivineperson who died as nobody has ever died. Lord Jesus Christ is an everglowing light who was buried in a sepulchre in which nobodyhadeverbeenburied.LordJesusChrististhekingof

102

kingswhoresurrectedasnobodyhadeverresurrected.Lord Jesus Christ is a miraculous light who will return at a time nobody has ever anticipated. Lord Jesus Christ died like a defeated person, resurrected triumphantly and would return as the king of kings as a historic person, wonderful minister, thevaliantGod,eternalfatherandtheLordofpeace. Jesusperceivedwhattheyhadreasonedintheirhearts. AskingwhytheywerereasoningintheirheartsHerevealed thesecretsoftheirhearts. Lord Jesus Christ perceives the secrets of your hearts, reveals the mysteries in the deeps of your hearts. O Gods Child,haveyoubeenintroducedtoChristwhoisaphenomenon ?Myfriend,whoreadsthisbook,haveyougotChrist?Does Christreigninyourheart?Ifso,howblessedyouare! TothesickofthepalsyJesusChristsaid,Isayuntothee, Arise,andtakeupthybed,andgothywayintothinehouse. Allsatamazed.Christsurveyedthescene.Amongthemwere thephariseesandscribeswhohadcometoobserveandbeen criticalofChrist.Whiletheyreasonedintheirheartswhether there was any body who had the power to forgive the sins exceptGodhimself,Christperceivedtheirthoughtsandtalked tothem. SeeingthefaithofthosewhobroughthimChristsaidto theman,Arise,andtakeupthebed,andgotheywayinto thinehouse. The moment cut the words take up thy bed and go thy way falls in to his ears he experiences a tremor in his body. Hebeginstogetupinastumblingmanner.Allareamazed.He supports himself on one arm, struggles to put his leg down

103

fromthebed,hisbodymoves,thepartswhichwereatrophied nowmoves:Lo!heslowlyandgentlystumblesontohislegs. Nowhestandsstraight.Howfasthavehisfeetbeenplanted firmly.Hisfeetandjointsfirmup.Hiskneesstraightenup.His body becomes strong. HefoldshishandstoChrist.Withfoldedhandshestands humblybeforeChrist,.Hestandsgratefully.GlorybetoGod, hemoveshistongue.Whatawonder!hepicksuphisbed. ThatwastheorderofChrist.Pickupthybedandgothy way. He picks up his bed. The one who was carried by four people,theonewholayunabletomoveorspeak,standson hisfeet,picksuphisbedandslowlymovesfarward.Thecrowd gaveway.Hegoestothedoorcarryinghisbed. Weneversawitonthisfashion.Theystoodamazed. Friend,doyouwanttoseethingsonthisfashion?Doyou wantmiraclestohappeninyourlife?LetChristenteryourlife. PutyourtrustinChrist.CometoChristinfaith.Whateverbe your problem, come to Christ, place your problem to Christ. Imploretohim. AndIsayuntoyou,Ask,anditshallbegivenyou;seek andyeshallfind;knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou. If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children : how much more shall your Heavenly Father givetheHolySpirittothemthataskHim? (Luke11:9,13) ItissaidagaininthegospelaccordingtoLuke.

104

AndshallnotGodavengeHisownelect,which cry day and night unto him, though He bear long with them ? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. (Luke18:78) God who heeds the prayer, God who sees the faith. God who works miracles in those who put their trust in him. The Lord Jesus Christ, son, has come to comfort you. When you read these words, Christ is approaching you, believe. Your disease, your problem, your debt, your burden, your need whateverbethecrisesthattroubleyourheart,openyourheart to Christ. Speak openly to Him, beg to the deserving to be begged.Hewillgiveyoupeace. IfIregardiniquityinmyheart, theLordwillnothearme. (Psalms66:18) IfGodistoheedyourprayeryouhavetoremoveyoursin, youriniquity.Resolvenevertosinagain.Determinetoleada holylife.Nowitself.GiveyourwordtoGod. Pray: MySaviourwhodiedonthecrossforme,Iwillleadasinless lifefromtoday.Isubmitmybody,mindandsoulatyourfeet. Godblessyou.

105

OTHERBOOKSBYTHEAUTHOR
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 AMRUTHADHARA AANTHARIKASAANTHI SUBHABHAVI SAANTHITHEERAM MADHUMOZHI MUKTHIMARGAM NITHYAVISRANTHI NIRAPARA JAYAJEEVITHAM VISWASAJEEVITHAM VADAMALAR DIVYARADHANA ENIKKUKUDIPPANTHARUMO? NEETHIMANAAKUNNATHENGANE? THURANNAVATHIL VARAVUMCHILAVUM DAIVARAJYAM AMRUTHADHARA(ENGLISH) ORTHUKOLVIN KRISTHUVIL PARISUDHATHMAVU PARISUDHATHMAVYAPARAM PARISUDHATHMASAKTHI UTHAMAGEETHAM

106

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

SANKETHANAGARANGAL MARUBHOOMIYILENEERPOIKA YONA PACHAVELLAMVEENJAKKI KEREETHINTEVAKKIL ETHRATHOLAMRANDUTHONIYIL? ELIYAVINTAEDAIVAMEVIDE? PRAVACHAKANALLA, PRAVACHAKASISHYANUMALLA MUDRAMOTHIRAMAKKUM ENIKKUKAZHCHAPRAPIKKENAM ENIKKUASHAKKUVAKAYUNDO? INNERPEACE(ENGLISH) AVARKKUBHAKSHIPPANKODUPPIN GLITTERINGFUTURE(ENGLISH) EKANTHATHAYUDEANDHATHA STREAMSINTHEDESERTS(ENGLISH) WAYTOLIBERATION(ENGLISH) NINTEMRITHANMARJEEVIKKUM VANNUPRATHALKAZHICHUKOLVIN ENNETHOTTATHAR? SOUKYAMAKUVANMANASSUNDO? ATHUSAHIKKAKUNNAVANAAR? ENNEAARVIDUVIKKUM? NANMAYUDEPANAPATHRAM PRATHYASAYUDEPRABHATHAM INIYUMVAIKANAMO?

107

Amurthadhara T. V. Programme
Friday Saturday Sunday : : : Asia Net News Surya TV Jeevan TV : : : 6.30 am - 7.00 am 6.30 am - 7.00 6.30 am - 7.00

Amurthadhara Radio Programme

Tuesdays : SW 25 mtr : 7.45 PM

Message by :

Prof. M. Y. Yohannan Former Principal St. Peter's College, Kolenchery

CRF's Main Meetings in Kadayiruppu, Kolenchery

2nd Saturday 2nd Sunday (Followed by 2nd Saturday) 3rd Sunday Mondays : : 9.30 am - 2.00 pm (Followed by 2nd Saturday) 12.30 pm - 5.00 pm

: :

12.30 pm - 5.00 pm 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm 10.00 am - 12.30 pm

1st Tuesday : (ladies Meeting)

at : Mechankara, Prof. M.Y. Yohannan's Residence Valethupady Bus Stop, Kolenchery - Pattimattom Road, Kadayiruppu