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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topic of Christian journey and the “Conquest of Canaan”
in the previous months, now in the month of March, considering that
we are in the season of Lent, I intend to focus on the subject- “Lent season”.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
24th Lent Day
Legitimate doubts…1
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter,
and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the
same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. -
I Corinthians 15:3-8
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Post Lenten season, while continuing to dwell on the topic of Resurrection
(one of the bedrock themes of the Season of Lent, since the Season itself culminates with Easter),
beginning today let’s cast the spotlight on some of the resurrection related doubts plaguing many
of the well-meaning Christians.
The above captioned Scripture portion bears witness to the fact that Jesus appeared to some
after His resurrection but not to ALL. This begs a question, why not to all for that would
have conclusively settled all the doubts in the Land of Israel, as to whether, He was the
Promised Messiah or not
(Isaiah 9:6).
First things first, to pose a legitimate question borne out of honest doubt is not
a sin. Remember John the Baptist, the one certified by none other than our Lord,
as the greatest ever to have walked on Planet Earth
(Matt 11:11) himself had a doubt.
Most importantly, he took his doubts to the right person…to the Lord himself
(Luke 7:19).
So without looking elsewhere, let’s look go to Him in the form of His revealed Word –The Bible-for
an answer to this doubt of ours. The answer lies in Jesus’ response to the exultant proclamation
of doubting Thomas on physically seeing the risen Lord
(John 20:24-29), after having doubted
His resurrection, till then.
"Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
If a God-seeker is justified by faith
(Hab 2:14/
Romans 1:17), where would be
the role for faith, if Jesus had appeared to one and all Post-resurrection? Yes,
in order Faith (the prime virtue God looks out for in a believer) is not pushed to a
remote corner, the Heavenly Father in His Sovereign wisdom did not reveal His Son to
everyone but only to a select few. Through the testimony of this special lot, many would
believe and thus be justified
(Romans 4:24).
Have you believed in the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ? Are you willing
to let Him take control of your life? Then say this prayer…
Prayer:
Father, I believe You sent Your Son into this world, so that by His, life, death and
resurrection, we would be cleansed from our sins. I accept your Son, as my Lord and
Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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