रंज से खूगर हुआ इंसां तो मिट जाता है ग़म
मुश्किलें इतनी पडी मुझ पर के आसां हो गयी।
मुश्किलें इतनी पडी मुझ पर के आसां हो गयी।
- मिर्ज़ा गालिब
Monday 18 June, 2007
Tuesday 12 June, 2007
Kingdom of Small People
Every teacher at SAIACS is asked to share his/her testimony during his/her first speech of the academic year 2007-2008. It was Dr. Babu Immanuel's turn on 6th of June. He brought some beautiful insights by incorporating the truths of the Lord's prayer to his own philosophy of life. One of his memorable statements was: "The kingdom of God is kingdom of small people."
Imagine a strong kingdom, and you would certainly think of Alexander, Nepoleon or someone of similar stature. These were people of high calibre and might. After all, strong kingdom is built by mighty king and his powerful subjects. We measure the strength of the kingdom by guaging the threat it possesses for the kingdoms around because of its vast army of brave and capable soldiers; and its riches.
Strange as it may sound, kingdom of God has no place for those who consider themselves strong enough, big enough, mighty enough, famous enough or rich enough to push their way into the kingdom. Conversly, the subjects of the kingdom of God have often been people who were failure, who seemed useless to the society, or who were often called foolish because of their decision to follow Christ.
Interestingly, Jesus called those blessed who were poor in spirit, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who were mourning and who were persecuted. Were not most of Jesus' disciples from humble background? Did not our Master Himself (the King of this kingdom) had a humble origin? Did he not live a life of a carpenter? Were not the best of his friends called 'sinners'? And did not Paul found all his achievements rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Christ?
Kingdom of God belongs to those who have experienced the greatness of God and realized their own smallness. It belongs to those who are not here 'to be served but to serve,' as did their King. When this truth penetrates our heart, we will tear down all that would make us proud (of course, except our King). We will realize that kingdom of God is kingdom of small people.
Imagine a strong kingdom, and you would certainly think of Alexander, Nepoleon or someone of similar stature. These were people of high calibre and might. After all, strong kingdom is built by mighty king and his powerful subjects. We measure the strength of the kingdom by guaging the threat it possesses for the kingdoms around because of its vast army of brave and capable soldiers; and its riches.
Strange as it may sound, kingdom of God has no place for those who consider themselves strong enough, big enough, mighty enough, famous enough or rich enough to push their way into the kingdom. Conversly, the subjects of the kingdom of God have often been people who were failure, who seemed useless to the society, or who were often called foolish because of their decision to follow Christ.
Interestingly, Jesus called those blessed who were poor in spirit, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who were mourning and who were persecuted. Were not most of Jesus' disciples from humble background? Did not our Master Himself (the King of this kingdom) had a humble origin? Did he not live a life of a carpenter? Were not the best of his friends called 'sinners'? And did not Paul found all his achievements rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Christ?
Kingdom of God belongs to those who have experienced the greatness of God and realized their own smallness. It belongs to those who are not here 'to be served but to serve,' as did their King. When this truth penetrates our heart, we will tear down all that would make us proud (of course, except our King). We will realize that kingdom of God is kingdom of small people.
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