Jesus, the Friend of Tax Collectors

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the friend and Saviour of all. When he was in the world in did not discriminate. He was rather friendly to all.  In the gospel of Matthew 9:9-13 our Lord Jesus Christ called and even visited a tax collector, which for the Jews was considered as an abomination: "At that time: As Jesus passed on, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ^£I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” With this visit of our Lord Jesus Christ to the home of a tax collector Jesus proved to the world that He was not just the friend of all he was also the Saviour of all. To him be glory and praise both now and forevermore - Amen!

Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed Messiah

Most of our leaders are dictators. They don't give a damn of what people are saying concerning them. They don't believe in feedback and people's opinions.  Our Lord Jesus Christ was a leader with a difference. In the gospel of Mark    8:27-35 our Lord Jesus Christ asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” The title 'Christ' means the anointed One, the Messiah. In the gospel of Luke 4:18 our Lord Jesus Christ highlights his role as Christ, the Anointed Messiah:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,  because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free." Our Lord Jesus Christ was anointed for us. He was anointed for our liberation, our restoration and our salvation. As we share in his divine anointing our lives will never be the same and God's name will be glorified forever in Jesus name - Amen!

Jesus, the Exalted Messiah

Today is the Exaltation of the Cross. The Cross itself is not just the emblem of suffering and pain it is also the ladder that leads to eternal life. In the gospel of John 3:13-17 our Lord Jesus Christ told Nicodemus, “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is the exalted Messiah. In his letter to the Philippians 2:6-11 St. Paul narrates how Jesus humbled himself and was later exalted by the Father with the name which is above every other name. That at the name of Jesus every kneel must bow and every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To him be glory and praise both now and forevermore - Amen!

Jesus, the most Prayerful Child of God

When our Lord Jesus Christ was in the world He made prayer the standard of his life. He could not do anything without prayer. For him, prayer was like a food. For instance St. Luke narrates in Luke     6:12-19:

"It happened that in these days, Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles..." Our Lord Jesus Christ visited the hills several times, not for relaxation as many do, but for prayer. In this very occasion he observed a night vigil - he prayed all through the night. It was after this prayer that He was inspired to select his apostles. With prayer He succeeded. He knew that a prayerful child is a powerful child. Jesus is indeed the Most prayerful and most powerful Man the world has ever known. To him be glory and praise both now and forevermore - Amen!

Jesus, the Master of Fishermen

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Master of masters. He is the Master of all Business and occupations. The gospel of  Luke 5:1-11 presents him as the Master of fishermen. "Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” mAnd when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” When the fishermen were labouring without Christ they caught nothing but as soon as our Lord Jesus Christ stepped into their boat their story changed. Child of God, our Lord Jesus Christ is about to step into the boat of your business. As He visits you, your life and your business will never be the same. And it shall be well with you in Jesus name - Amen!