Prof. Biju Issac

(A message given in Martin Hall, July 2000) Reading: John 20:118 ; Luke 7:36-50)

It's quite interesting to see that some people get so close to God that they dare to call Him "My God or My Lord' . Have you ever wondered how can that be possible? Only one reason: they are living a normal Christian life with a living touch of intimacy with their Maker

The religion that speaks much about God without a vibrant love relationship with Him is a hoax and a deception. Do you long to have such a relationship with God, where you can address Him as- "My God". The first step is to acknowledge that you are a great sinner and receive Christ Jesus into your life and make Him your only hope.

Mary Magdalene was a woman who was possessed with seven demons, when Jesus met her and delivered her. She could probably be leading an immoral life too; we are not sure. But now she has become a "pure" disciple after her encounter with Jesus. After the death of Jesus, on the first day of the week she went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus with perfume. When she reached there, the tomb is left open and the body is missing. Immediately she ran and told the news to Peter and to the other disciples. Peter and John came running to see what was reported is true or not. Yes, the body of Jesus is indeed missing and only the clothes were left folded!

After a while the two disciples left and Mary Magdalene who had followed them back to the tomb cave, stood there weeping. Why should this woman weep? She had entered into a "divine love" relationship with Jesus. She remembered how she was delivered by one word of Jesus, from demon possession! Her grateful heart bubbling with love for her Saviour, found the situation too overwhelming that she could only weep. That "dear Man" is missing! It's true that the Jealous religious leaders killed Jesus but her last wish of anointing the body of Jesus as a sign of gratitude, is shattered! She stood weeping out of love! How many times have we wept, when we find that the presence of the Lord is missing and our life is becoming dry?

Then as Mary in eagerness stooped into the cave, looking for Jesus (even though Peter and John confirmed her that the body is indeed missing), she saw two angels asking her- "Woman, why are you weeping? and she replied"Because they have taken away my Lord and I don't know where they have kept Him".

When she turned around, Jesus was standing there and she didn't know that. He also asked her-" Woman, why are you weeping?" Her reply was - "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him and "1 will take him away"' Dear reader, do see the passion in Mary's heart for Jesus? She calls Him `my Lord' and wants to take Jesus away for He has become hers! It's no wonder that she had the special privilege of first seeing the risen Christ and be talking with Him.

I firmly consider that heaven would be populated with delivered demon possessed people, repented prostitutes, swindlers, blind and the lame. Such people once delivered, out of gratitude seem to become lovers of God. And the "so-called" churchgoers would be standing out knocking! Dear friend, our family background or church culture or social status wouldn't help at all! Only a passion for Christ and His kingdom would be of any relevance in future.

The reason I have come to observe for this lack of intimate love for God is that such people are forgiven little! As Jesus said, those who are forgiven little, loves God little and those who are forgiven much of their sins, loves God much!

This is very clearly portrayed in an incident that happened in the life of Christ. Jesus was invited by Simon The Pharisee for food. Then a woman in the city who was a prostitute came in for she heard that Jesus was there. She had great hope in Jesus. She would have probably heard that Jesus was `friend of sinners'. She started weeping (because of her sins) at his feet and washed His feet with her tears (Have you ever wept for your sins? ..... If not prostitutes who weep will overtake you to heaven). She wiped His feet with her hair and kissed it, pouring the costly fragrant oil from the alabaster box (which was the precious possession or the savings she had from her sins). Weeping, washing, wiping, kissing and anointing..... what a beautiful picture of "worship"

Now simon the pharisee got a little upset and started saying to himself - "If this Man were a prophet, He would know ..... who is touching Him, for she is a sinner" Pharisees (those who keep the letter of religion, but not the intent, belonging to the joyless and long-faced religion) would never understand the saving love of Christ toward sinners. Jesus in response started telling him a parable of a creditor who gave credits of Rs. 5000/- to one and Rs. 50,00,000/ - to another. And when they had nothing to repay, he forgave them both freely. Listen to the question of Jesus - "Tell Me, which of them would love the creditor more?" Well, the one who is forgiven more, as Simon rightly said.

Many believers live as if they are forgiven of Rs. 5000/- (if we are to quantify sin) and their Christian life is a burden to them. But prostitutes and the like, who are forgiven of Rs. 50,00,000/- become worshippers of God! Oh, do see the danger of the mediocre and cold Christianity? May God open our eyes.

The word of God says, all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Not even one man is spared. Do you see that each sin that you have committed from your young age is like a debt toward God? The sins could be in your motives, thoughts, in telling lies, in being angry at others, in being jealous, in keeping bitter attitudes, in sexual areas etc. And as you have grown up, all your sins would amount to that of Mount Everest or more! How can you get away with that? You are accountable to God. Well, the good news is that, if you turn your back on sin, repent and ask forgiveness to God with a sin-heavy heart, He will clear all your debts freely. When you receive such a pardon that you never deserved, you would become an enthusiastic lover of Christ!

There is a hymn written by Fanny Crosby, the first line of which goes like this- "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine". She had such an assurance that Jesus is hers, even though she was blinded at age of 6 weeks. When a preacher sympathized with her about being blind, she replied that she is the most fortunate, in that when she gets to heaven the first face that shall gladden her sight will be that of her Saviour's. Praise God!

Listen to what Paul says- "My God shall supply all your needs......" (Phil. 4:19) and again "I count all things loss for the excellence of knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ......." (Phil. 3:8). Jesus on the cross cried to the Father - "My God, My God...." (Matt. 27:46). David's constant cry was - "My God" in the book of psalms. Can we say thus about our relationship with Christ- "My beloved is mine and I am His " (Songs. 2:16). If so, you and I can dare to call Him - My God!