#dcbc

Introduction

Our solitary life is in a balance. Who we are and what we may become is a personal choice. We make desperate measures we think for our good but do much damage to our souls. It is not a dead end when we make a wrong choice. The great lessons in life are painfully discovered in our breaking points. Amidst the maze of life we can be redeemed from our frailties and failures. In the agony of our souls we search our hearts to sort out the noble from the mundane. We come to our own senses and find our home back to God. In solitude we dwell in the presence of the Lord and listen to his still voice. In darkness we nurture our souls in light of the Scriptures. We embrace and cherish the Bible that we have so long taken for granted. In coming back to God and in obedience to his Word, we can learn our lessons well in life and make a fresh start.

I grew up as a religious person. Despite my religiosity, my whole being could be summarized in one word: restless. When I was thirteen years old, my aunt gave me a strange gift. It was a New Testament Bible. I would rather have received any other gift for I wondered what good this book could ever do in my life. Four years in high school, the Bible was a closed book to me. Four years in college, the Bible was a dead book to me. Yet, through all those years I wrestled with the agony of my soul. I knew what was good but was bound with guilt. My motives were defiled expressed in secret misdeeds. In my sinfulness I was restless! In the malady of my soul amidst my utter restlessness I welcomed to end it all by placing my life into my bare hands. In that desperate moment I looked up to heaven and uttered a short prayer, “God if you are real, show yourself to me.” In 1980 during my fourth year in college, I heard of the gospel of Jesus through the ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ. The core of the gospel truth that spoke to my heart was John 3:16. In response to the great love of God who gave his Son for my behalf, I turned away from my sin and yielded my life to Jesus Christ.

That unexpected crossroad of knowing Jesus Christ defined my life. At last, I found rest for my soul! The first thing I did was to go home to find the book I despised. When I found the Bible, I pressed it hard into my heart with a word of deep gratitude, “This is the best gift I ever received in my life.” Since then I learned and still do to walk with God every day guided by his Word. That was almost forty years ago. To this very day I hold in my hands this Book of Life.  And I have no room for regrets.

The Bible is the final authority of the Christian faith and life. Our knowledge of God and how we conduct our lives rest upon our attitude to the Holy Scriptures. Our destiny, here and now and for eternity, is determined on how we handle the living and enduring Word of God. It is for this reason that we remind ourselves of the historic account when Moses gave his final word to his own Hebrew people.

In the renewal of their covenant to the LORD their God prior to entering the Promised Land, Moses gave this solemn charge to his own people. The essence of his parting word applies to every people of the world.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deut. 30:19-20a)

The covenant of God for Israel is binding for us. A blessed life is governed by the Word of God. To this noble end we are called to “listen to his voice.” This noble call is echoed by the psalmist for all of us.

There is a clear distinction that sets apart those who treasure the Bible from those who do not. The very first chapter of the Book of Psalms is a song of prayer that defines the great contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are blessed for they live by the Word of God (1:1-3). And the wicked who despise it are unfortunate (1:4-6).

A.  The Righteous (1:1-3)

Who are the righteous in the sight of God? The righteous walk in godliness, delight in the Scriptures and live a fruitful life.  

1. The Path of the Righteous

Those who are right with God walk in the path of godliness.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” (1:1)

Blessedness dispels the notion of shallow happiness based on favourable circumstances. Rather, the biblical thought of blessedness speaks of the highest good bestowed by God to whom he extends his sufficient grace. To be blessed is to experience the fullness of life being assured that God works all things together for our ultimate good and for his glory. A blessed man can be poor but remains grateful and generous in life. A blessed woman in the bed of sickness despite her pain enjoys the sweet communion in the abiding presence of God. A blessed person under severe persecution finds his solace in the safekeeping of God and learns to repay good for evil. Blessedness is to have inward stability and restful peace in whatever circumstance in life. Anchored upon this biblical perspective, the psalmist declared a defining stand of blessedness.

First of all, a blessed person does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. In the time of the judges in the Old Testament, this was the awful description of the Hebrew people, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit” (Judg. 21:25). In such condition of lawlessness, every man or woman was right in his or her own perspective. The people disregarded their covenant with God and each one became a law to his or her own self. The same attitude of lawlessness is applied in our own time in the name of human rights. On this premise, each one is entitled to his own opinion and we need to respect our own differences, sad to say, on the ground that everything is relative and there is no such thing as absolute. In a secular world each one is entitled to his own opinion and no one has the right to persuade others of his own convictions. And in a pluralistic society we hear many voices with a common argument, “We can speak about anything under the sun, but leave me alone in my belief about God.” We live in perilous times where we create our own gods and define our own standards on what is true or false and on what is right or wrong. The counsel of the wicked defies and distorts the authority and absoluteness of the Bible as the Word of God. In the New Testament, Apostle Paul gave his final instruction to Pastor Timothy. This prophetic word is true to our day.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Tim. 4:1-3)

Secondly, a blessed person does not stand in the way of sinners. In the period of the judges, each person was entitled to one’s own opinion and had the freedom to do his or her own thing. What does this mean? Israel broke their covenant with God and disobeyed the Ten Commandments. When we see ourselves in our own generation, we are not better than the Israelites. The way of sinners defies the commandments of God. There is a steady moral breakdown in the land manifested in religious hypocrisy. The solemn warning of Paul to Timothy is staggering.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5a)

Paul gives us a strong word, “Have nothing to do with them” (v. 5b).

Thirdly, a blessed person does not sit in the seat of mockers. We go back to the days of the judges. There was no law in the land for each one became a law to his or her own self. Their brazen lawlessness was an outright rebellion against God in defiance to his commandments and mockery to his warnings. There was no fear of God in Israel. We, too, need to answer a serious question for ourselves, “Where is the fear of God in our land?” The seat of mockers speaks of those who are in authority who see themselves above the law and untouchables driven in their greed for money and power. Are we not also guilty of making a mockery of God when our conscience becomes dull to entertain the thought that it is alright for us to live in sin as long as we can make it a secret for ourselves? We only wear out ourselves in despair when we wear masks to portray a good image in betrayal of our true selves. No one can play with God without facing its dire consequences. Apostle Paul gives us a stern warning, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal. 6:7).

As in the period of the judges, our present world reflects the spirit of lawlessness where every person is entitled to his own opinion and conviction and not bound to the authoritative and absolute Word of God. In this dark and sinful world, we brace ourselves to be maligned and destroyed in our uncompromising stand for what is true, right and just. Blessed are those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. This is the narrow path and less travelled road of the righteous.

 2. The Delight of the Righteous

What sets apart the righteous before God?

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (1:2)

To delight literally means to rejoice in one thing with inner contentment. Above all things, the great joy of the righteous is the Holy Scriptures. The righteous anchor their whole being in the Word of God. In intimate communion with God they meditate upon the Law of the LORD day and night. The Bible is the daily bread of the righteous to govern their lives.

Throughout the historical revelation of God, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, the LORD upholds the primacy of the Scriptures as the absolute rule of life for his covenant people and the firm foundation of life for all nations. The sovereign LORD, the God of heaven and earth, made this clear to Joshua, the successor of Moses, to lead the Hebrew people. This divine instruction is for all of us.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Jos. 1:8)

This solemn charge defines our life. It is a command with a promise. We ought to anchor our lives upon the Scriptures and to obey it with all our heart. And we can be assured that God will graciously bless our lives to make a godly difference in this world.

Every Hebrew must treasure the Law of the LORD. Every Christian must live by the Holy Scriptures. And every human being must be governed by the Word of God.

3. The Legacy of the Righteous

Does it really make a difference for us to abide in the Scriptures? Here is a beautiful portrait of a blessed life anchored upon the Word of God.

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (1:3)

This is a delightful metaphor. Like a tree planted by streams of water, a righteous person is rooted upon the living Word of God and established upon the inexhaustible sufficiency of God. Like a tree which yields its fruit in season, a righteous person bears the fruit of godly character to be a source of joy and channel of blessing for others. And like a tree whose leaf does not wither, likewise, a righteous person receives the gift of eternal life and enjoys the grace of living in its fullness.

In summary, like a living and a fruitful tree, the psalmist described a righteous person with this statement, “Whatever he does prospers.” What does this mean? Anyone who delights in the Scriptures will grow in spiritual discernment to ascertain and do the will of God under divine blessing. We do understand not all things go well with us. Yet, in all our experiences in life, good or bad, nothing will be laid to waste if we learn our lessons well. At times we can have a firmer grasp of the goodness of God and can better appreciate his blessing for our lives when he disciplines us of our sinfulness and affirms his great love for us. Down the road of life we all go through a humbling process so we can learn the redemptive lessons in life. In this way we learn to swallow our pride and walk in the humility of Christ. And so we yield with a humble heart, “Father, not my will, but Thy will be done.”

A.  The Wicked (1:4-6)

The righteous live in godliness and find their delight in the Law of the LORD. The righteous are like a tree which is much alive with bountiful fruitfulness. The works of the righteous are under the blessing of God. On the contrary, the wicked gratify their sinful desires as they defy God and spurn his Word. The psalmist speaks on the irreconcilable contrast of the wicked from the righteous.

1. The Vanity of the Wicked

How did the psalmist portray the wicked? Here is the awful plight of those who turn away from God and disobey his commandments.

“Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” (1:4)

The chaff or the husk is the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain. On the outside, the chaff appears to look like a grain. In the inside, it is empty and without a seed in it. The chaff is comparatively a picture of worthlessness.

What does this disheartening imagery has to do with our lives? Unfortunately, there are those who set their hearts on earthly goods and think they can buy anything in life. There are those who embrace a humanistic view of life and perceive they have the freedom to do what they like. And there are those who desire for authority and use their power to influence others for their selfish ends. What does the Bible say into all these? We always need to remind ourselves of the word of God.

“‘This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.” (Jer. 9:23-24)

The beloved Apostle John wrote a close parallel of this revealing truth.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 Jn. 2:15-17)

We, in our fallen nature, are proud. We are inherently and deceitfully proud. We are inclined to take pride of anything under the sun. Sad to say, we even boast of our knowledge about God. This should not be. Our true knowledge of God should teach us to walk in the innocence of a little child. Such lowly attitude is a despised virtue for those who have no heart for God and who disregard his decrees. The wicked declare their freedom outside of God. They are free, indeed, without a moral compass that leads them to nowhere like chaff blown by the wind.

2. The Judgment of the Wicked

If we rebel against God and treat his Word as garbage, we deserve our own disgraceful and dreadful lot.

“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” (1:5)

God hates those who are proud in their heart. The wicked may boast in their wisdom, power and riches. They may see themselves invincible and indestructible for they are in control over the affairs of man. Yet a time is coming when their mockery and laughter will turn into weeping and mourning. In the end, the wicked will stand before God in dread and be cast away from the company of the righteous in disgrace.

 3. The Destruction of the Wicked

We only make fool of ourselves when we think we can play around God.

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (1:6)

God holds everyone accountable for he makes a clear distinction between those who fear him and to those who despise him. Here and now, the God of heaven discerns our hearts and watches over the affairs of every human being on earth. The righteous are wise to search their hearts and make things right with God. The wicked are defiant and carefree to go on with their evil ways that lead them to their irreversible destruction. Such was the dreadful path of Cain who murdered his own brother Abel. Cain was restless throughout his life and for all eternity. The path of the wicked is open and wide for men loved darkness instead of light. Indeed, our life is in a balance. We can choose our own eternal destiny with the kind of life we choose. We can delight in the Scriptures and live in godliness. Or we can choose to despise the Bible and live in sin. In this crucial crossroad of life, the final decision is ours.  

Conclusion

Where is our life leading to? It is time for us to watch our steps on what kind of road we trod. Few would dare to walk in the path of the righteous for it involves total submission and sacrificial obedience. The road of the wicked is much more appealing and many would follow it for sin is a pleasure. Now what must we choose? Sin is enjoyable but distasteful. Righteousness is painful but delightful. If we truly care for our souls, we would rather stand for what is righteous for our good than wallow in the mud of sin for our disgrace. In the narrow path of blessedness, how then should we nurture our souls?

Define your moral standards. The psalmist says it well. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not stand in the way of sinners. And do not sit in the seat of mockers. Our lives are established upon the seat of authority that defines our moral stand on how we conduct ourselves. In our waywardness it is much easier to conform to the allurements of this world and satisfy our carnal desires. In our pursuit for our ultimate good we hate every form of evil. And the best safeguard is intimacy with God.

Deepen your biblical convictions. The psalmist gives a nonconforming stand. Delight in the Law of the LORD and meditate on it day and night. What we feed our mind nourishes our heart and transforms our being. Never take for granted the Word of God. Godliness and greatness anchor upon the authority and power of the Scriptures. The Bible nourishes our souls and refines our character. A righteous and stable life is seasoned through daily meditation of and grateful obedience to the Scriptures.

Introduction

As a covenant people of God, we ought to be men and women of honor who keep our word. We mean when we say “Yes.” And we mean when we say “No.” “Anything beyond this,” says Jesus Christ our Lord, “comes from the evil one” (Matt. 5:37). Jesus declared this truth in his Sermon on the Mount primarily addressed to the Hebrew people whose ancestors had made an oath in the name of the LORD their God. He reminded the Israelites, “Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord” (v. 33). And he gave them a clear command that they should be cautious not to swear at all either by the heaven above or by the earth below—or by the city of Jerusalem. All what Jesus required for the people was to honor their word. This instruction is for all of us.

Jesus made a serious teaching. Anything beyond “Yes” or “No” comes from the evil one. Satan does not have one word for he can appear as an angel of light but in reality he is the father of lies. This is in great contrast of the nature of God who is absolutely true and trustworthy.

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num. 23:19)

Every Hebrew man and woman needs to treasure this divine revelation. This was the word of the LORD given to the prophet Balaam who had been hired by King Balak of the Moabites to bring curse upon Israel. At first, Balaam stood his word for God. Unfortunately, he changed his position in favor of the king because of a sumptuous bribe.

The Hebrew nation needs to understand one solid truth. Why is it that despite their stubbornness and rebellion they stand to this very day as the covenant people of God? Listen to the word of the wise: “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD” (Prov. 21:30). No human opinion and deceitful scheme could ever unsettle and destroy the Word of God. The LORD God of Israel is true to his word and trustworthy to his promise. And this is the same standard of truthfulness that God demands for every Jew and Gentile.

Unfortunately, in our fallen nature we are inclined to play with our word and break our promise. We make fool of ourselves when we say one thing and do the contrary. When we believe what is true yet deceitfully live in sin, take heed of this apostolic warning, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (Titus 1:16a).

To say “Yes” or “No” is to make a moral stand. We make a deliberate choice for what is true or false and dwell in light or darkness. There is no middle ground. If we do not keep our word to make a decisive stand, we yield ourselves under the domain of the evil one. Should we repay the grace and goodness of the LORD with ingratitude and disobedience? Sad to say, Israel did not keep his covenant with God. And they pierced their hearts with misery and grief. Likewise, if we are careless in honoring our word, we do much damage and disgrace to our souls.

Israel was back to square one. When Nehemiah the governor of Judah returned to King Artaxerxes in Persia, Israel had fallen back to their former lifestyles and broke their covenant with God. They desecrated the holy temple (13:1-9). They neglected the house of God (13:10-14). They violated the Sabbath (13:15-22). And they committed unholy marriages (13:23-30).  Nehemiah went back to Judah and instituted reforms.

Let us be careful not to condemn the Israelites. If we do, we, likewise, condemn ourselves. When we say, “Yes,” do we really mean it? And when we say, “No,” do we truly stand for it? We ask ourselves, “Where is the honor in keeping our word?” Our principled walls are breaking down and our moral values deteriorating before our very eyes. The virtue we need to redeem in our church and homeland is the sanctity of our word. In light of the moral Law of God written in the human conscience, we must learn as a people to say, “Yes” and “No.” “Yes” to what is righteous. “No” to what is evil. And there is no crossroad where the two can meet. The masterpiece of the evil one is compromise.

A.  The Desecration of the Temple (13:1-9)

Israel defiled the temple. With the insidious permission of a Jewish priest, a sacred room in the holy temple became a secular storage room of an Ammonite. This evil thing happened when Nehemiah was back in Persia. Upon his return in Jerusalem, he consecrated the temple.

 1. The Exclusion from Jewish Assembly

In the Law of Moses, Israel must safeguard their holy assembly.

“On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.” (13:1-3)

In Deuteronomy 23:3-6, the Ammonites and Moabites were forbidden from Jewish assembly because of their animosity against Israel.

2. The Wickedness of Eliashib

A wicked thing was committed in Jerusalem.

“Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah, and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.” (13:4-5)

Eliashib was not an ordinary priest. He was the high priest of Israel in Judah (13:8). Yet he was closely associated with Tobiah who was an Ammonite (2:10) and one of the primary enemies of the Jews (4:3; 6:12). The close association between the two was a result of the intermarriage between their families (13:8). What favor did Eliashib give to Tobiah? He reserved for Tobiah a large room in the temple exclusively used as storeroom for the Jews for temple worship.  Eliashib committed this sacrilege in the absence of Nehemiah.

“But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.” (13:6-7)

Nehemiah came to Jerusalem on the 20th year of King Artaxerxes of Persia (2:1). On the 32nd year of the king, Nehemiah returned to the city of Susa (13:6). Within his twelve years of governor of Judah, the fear of God was restored among the Jewish people. When Nehemiah went back to Persia, Eliashib the high priest made an unholy alliance with Tobiah and desecrated the holy temple of God. Eliashib could have thought that Nehemiah would never come back to Jerusalem and he dared to abuse his religious authority and power for personal advantage. The wicked deed of Eliashib was an outright defiance against God and caused a moral breakdown amongst the Jews.

Nehemiah could have had stayed for several years in the city of Susa and resumed his royal task as the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes in Persia. It was during his absence in Judah that Eliashib defiled the temple. He gave Tobiah a room in the temple courts and the Ammonite was given access in joining the holy assembly of the Jews. This was the enemy of the Jews who made a laughing stock of the wall of Jerusalem and who hired Shemaiah the prophet to intimidate Nehemiah. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem with the permission of the king, he learned about the evil deed of Eliashib.

 3. The Consecration of the Temple

Nehemiah was outraged of the evil deed of Eliashib the high priest.  

“I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room. I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.” (13:8-9)

We could imagine the pagan gods of Tobiah among all his unclean household goods to have been stored and secured inside the room in the temple courts. In righteous indignation, the governor forcibly threw all the unclean belongings of the Ammonite from the sacred room. And Nehemiah ordered the Levite priests to purify the desecrated room and restored its use for worship in the temple.

B.  The House of God Neglected (13:10-14)

The evil deed of Eliashib, we could understand, had a devastating repercussion among the Jewish community. He lost his divine authority to lead his people for godly worship.  The grievous sin of the high priest despised the holiness of God and corrupted the spiritual life of the people. When the holy temple was desecrated, the Hebrew people were demoralized and neglected the house of God.

1. The Levites Neglected

The Levites were directly affected.

“I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.” (13:10)

When the holiness of God was despised and the temple was defiled, the spiritual life of the Hebrew people collapsed. The solidarity of the Jews who build the great wall of Jerusalem in 52 days was shattered. The Jews broke their covenant and neglected the house of God. The gravity of their sin as a people was disheartening. All the Levites were forced to earn for their living and abandoned their ministries in the temple!

 2. The Officials Rebuked

It appeared that the officials of the land tolerated the sin of Eliashib.

“So I rebuked the officials and asked them, ‘Why is the house of God neglected?’ Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.” (13:11)

The leaders of the land lost their moral ground to lead the people. The spiritual deterioration in the dark days of the judges had returned and the Hebrew people did their own thing for their selfish ends. Nehemiah sternly rebuked the government officials and commanded them to redeem their authority and power as public servants to lead the people to the LORD and observe their covenant with God.

 3. The Offerings Restored

The officials of the land obeyed the word of Nehemiah. Not by coercion as an authoritarian ruler. They listened to him as the governor esteemed by the people because of his godly life and exemplary leadership.

“All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storerooms. I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers.” (13:12-13)

The Israelites moved as one people and observed their covenant. They yielded themselves to the LORD and gave their tithes and offerings to God. And the Levites were back to their noble task in the house of God.

 4. The Pleading of Nehemiah

Nehemiah knew the hidden pain of leading his wayward people. In instituting reforms, he firmly held onto the LORD who alone could change a sinful human being and rebuild a fallen nation.

“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.” (13:14)

In total dependence to the LORD, prayer was the lifeblood of Nehemiah. God alone could sustain him in all his troubles and could bless all his painstaking labors. Without God, his ultimate source of strength and encouragement, all his works for his people would be in vain.

C.  The Sabbath Violated (13:15-22)

The temple was desecrated. The house of God was neglected. Nehemiah, who was back in Jerusalem, also learned that the Sabbath was violated by his own people and foreigners.  

 1. The Jewish Men Warned

Nehemiah discovered that the Sabbath day for rest and worship was used by Jewish men for business and trade.

“In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.” (13:15)

In the Law of Moses, men and animals must rest on the Sabbath day. Nehemiah saw that the Hebrew men from different localities in Judah treaded in winepresses and loaded their all sorts of merchandize on donkeys and treated Jerusalem as a profitable marketplace during the Sabbath. Nehemiah warned his countrymen not to violate the Sabbath.

 2. The Phoenician Men Warned

Nehemiah also warned the men from Phoenicia.

“Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.” (13:16)

If the Jews themselves violated the Sabbath, what could be expected from the foreigners? The people from Tyre, a principal seaport of the Phoenician coast in the Mediterranean, brought with them their most celebrated product of purple dye made from mollusks found on their sea shores besides their metal works and glassware. The Sabbath became a lucrative day of business. Nehemiah rebuked the Phoenicians.

 3. The Jewish Nobles Rebuked

And the Jewish officials were not spared.

“I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, ‘What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.’”  (3:17-18)

The officials did not only tolerate the ongoing business during the day of rest and worship. They themselves were involved and had their own share in the profiteering business during the holy Sabbath. Nehemiah rebuked them affront. They were courting a national disaster as their forefathers in desecrating the Sabbath for the love of money.

 4. The Gates Closed During the Sabbath

To stop the systemic trade during the day of rest and worship for the Hebrew people, Nehemiah closed the gates in Jerusalem during the Sabbath that ultimately discouraged the traders, Jews and Gentiles alike.

“When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. But I warned them and said, ‘Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you.’ From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.” (13:19-21)

Nehemiah gave a strong warning to implement the ordinance. He made a clear directive to those who were insistent and spent the night by the wall in order to sell their products at daybreak when people would enter Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Nehemiah warned them once. Should they not listen and would come the next Sabbath, Nehemiah warned them: “I will lay hands on you.” The people knew Nehemiah meant his word. And they no longer came to do business in Jerusalem on the Sabbath.

To secure the gates of Jerusalem from importunate traders, Jews and Gentiles alike, Nehemiah committed to the LORD the Levites as gatekeepers on the Sabbath.

“Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.” (13:22)

 D.  The Unholy Marriages (13:23-30)

The holy temple was desecrated. The house of God was neglected. The Sabbath was violated. Nehemiah was disheartened to learn about the unholy marriages committed by his own people. He was shocked that the family of the high priest himself was involved. The final reform that Nehemiah undertook meant the painful tearing apart of intermarriage families between the Jews and Gentiles.

1. The Intermarriages of the Jews

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he was confronted with a serious problem about forbidden intermarriages.

“Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.” (13:23-24)

The women whom the Jewish men intermarried came from idolatrous cities. Ashdod was the principal city in Canaan where the temple of Dagon was built. Dagon was the ancient chief god of the Philistines worshiped by the Canaanites long before Abraham entered Canaan. Ammon was the territory of the Ammonites who worshiped their national god Molech that involved child sacrifice. And Moab was the place of the Moabites who worshiped their national god Chemosh, like Molech, with sacrifice of children as burnt offerings.

What were the grievous effects of the intermarriage of the Jews with the pagan Gentiles?  The children could not speak Hebrew the language of the Jews. The Jews who intermarried were acculturated with pagan culture and lost their identity as Hebrews. And this also meant that the Jews who intermarried embraced the idolatrous worship of the pagans.

2. The Indignation of Nehemiah 

Nehemiah was outraged in righteous indignation.

“I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: ‘You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?’” (13:25-27)

This was the height of the governor’s anger. Nehemiah rebuked the men and cursed them. He beat some of them and pulled out their hair. He compelled them to make an oath not to give in their sons and daughters to marry their pagan neighbors.  And he warned them not to follow the footsteps of King Solomon who married foreign women whom she loved and embraced their idols. The downfall of the Hebrew people could be traced in their idolatrous worship. The nightmare of Israel was again encroaching at the door. And the Jews seemed not to care!

 3. The Consecration of the Priests

Nehemiah lost his temper when he discovered the evil deed of Eliashib.

“One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me. ‘Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.’ So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task.” (13:28-30)

Eliashib desecrated the temple in conspiring with Tobiah. He also became the father-in-law of Sanballat’s daughter. Eliashib defied God and befriended the enemies of the Jews! And he was the high priest!  

What more could Nehemiah say at the height of this wickedness? He was dumbfounded. All what he did was to act right there and then. He directly approached Eliashib and drove him away from his presence! Ironically, the name of Eliashib in Hebrew meant “God restores.” He did not live up to his sacred name and holy vocation. Definitely, Eliashib was removed from his office as the high priest. And Nehemiah purified and consecrated the holy ministry of the Levite priesthood. This was the most difficult reform the governor of Judah had ever encountered.

 4. Provisions for the Temple

The holy temple was desecrated. The house of God was neglected. The Sabbath observance was violated. And the covenant marriage was defiled. Nehemiah consecrated the temple. He renewed the care for the house of God. He restored rest and worship on Sabbath. And he redeemed the sacredness of the Levites and priesthood.

Given all these reforms he secured the sufficient needs of the temple: “I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits” (13:31a). And Nehemiah pleaded, “Remember me with favor, O my God” (13:31b). Men could forget him and devalue his work. God would not and never will.

Nehemiah ended where he began. When he heard that the wall in Jerusalem was broken down and his people were in great trouble and disgrace, he prayed and fasted for the welfare of his countrymen. After the wall was rebuilt and his people were secured, they were again in great distress and disgrace but this time because of their sinfulness. Just as he restored the wall of Jerusalem for the security of his own people, so he instituted reforms to rebuild his fallen nation. As in the beginning so it was in end, he pleaded with God for the welfare of his own people. His pleading should be the cry of our hearts: “Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done.”

Conclusion 

The wall of Jerusalem was restored but there was a moral breakdown of the principled walls of the Hebrew people. The temple was desecrated. The house of God was neglected. The Sabbath was violated. And they committed unholy marriages. Just as when Nehemiah first came to Jerusalem and restored the broken wall for the welfare of his people, so he came back to Jerusalem and instituted reforms to rebuild his fallen nation. What legacies can we bring home from Nehemiah’s reforms for his countrymen?

Sanctify our devotion to God. Nehemiah consecrated the temple when it was defiled. We are the living temples of God. We desecrate ourselves if we cherish any sin in our heart. We mourn how deceitful our hearts are and plead with God to cleanse us from the inside. Then we can worship the LORD in deep reverence and rest in his presence with great delight.

Nurture our solidarity in our covenant. Nehemiah confronted the people who neglected the house of God and they brought their offerings to the Levites. When we give ourselves first to the LORD, we offer our lives for one another and seek for our ultimate good. Our covenant bond is anchored upon the beauty of grace. Freely we receive. And freely we give with grateful heart.

Enrich the primacy of delightful worship. Nehemiah warned those who violated the Sabbath and restored the heart of worship on the day of rest. True worship observes the harmonious cycle of work and rest. We glorify God in the works of our hands and in the quietness of our souls.

Introduction

When I was a little child I envied the maturity and wisdom of an adult. Now that I am old I yearned for the innocence and calmness of a child. I am not alone on this personal quest. As we grow in years we always go back to our childhood. As a child we enjoy the simplicity of life and the contentment of little things. Above all, as a child we manifest our solid trust and total dependence upon our parents. It is a humbling process for us to note that our Lord Jesus Christ gives primary significance of such childhood virtues for us to enter the kingdom of God. In every stage from childhood to adulthood, we make an amazing discovery that the sense of wholeness and fulfilment in life is anchored upon our full confidence in God like that of the simple faith of a little child.

One of the family pictures I cherish is when my son as a baby rested upon my breast undisturbed and sound asleep. Such ordinary setting is a great joy for me as a father. It portrays the close connection between me and my son. And such intimate affection is what I deeply yearn and at times greatly miss as my son grows older through the years. It is interesting that now that I am old, I still long for the warm and loving embrace of my father and mother, especially when I am in pain and in tears. I am fully convinced such intimate bond is the grand design of our Father in heaven for us all his children. Is it not his pure delight when we simply yet humbly come to him and lean on and rest in his presence as we unreservedly entrust to him our whole being and all our cares? Indeed, it is good for us to embrace and nurture the simplicity of life and the solid faith in the LORD our God like that of a little child.

King David composed a song of prayer declaring his confidence in God. Like the psalmist, we are safe in the Lord’s hands (27:1-3). We rest in his presence (vs. 4-6). We are secure in his compassion (vs. 7-12). And we are stable in his goodness (vs. 13-14). May this song be our prayer.

A. Safe in His Hands (27:1-3)

We can be sure of our safety when we entrust our lives in the hands of God. David, as a shepherd and king, faced life and death as he tended his flock and governed his people. On the frontline to protect his flock and to lead his people, his life was at stake in the midst of danger. God was his firm stronghold and great defender.

1. Our Firm Stronghold

David was shielded in the safekeeping hands of God.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (27:1)

A stronghold is a citadel or fortress. In ancient times a city was fortified by massive walls for the safety and security of the people. David knew God as the stronghold of his life. As a shepherd his life was at risk before ferocious beasts. As a king his life was in danger before hostile enemies. Yet in the hands of God he was safe and secure. In solid confidence he declared, “Of whom shall I be afraid?”

In this dark and sinful world driven by selfishness, pride and greed, in our decisive stand for what is true, right and just, we brace ourselves to be despised, maligned and slandered. There are those who dearly offered their lives in their unbreakable will to be faithful to God and his cause. The cowards are man pleasers who compromise their moral standards to their own disgrace. The brave are the morally upright who can face anyone without fear for their testimony is a powerful light in darkness.

 2. Our Great Defender

In integrity, God is on our side. David knew God as his great defence.

“When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and foes attack me they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” (27:2-3)

Anyone whom God sets apart to make a godly difference in this crooked and corrupted world will surely be opposed and attacked by unprincipled man or woman who loves darkness instead of light. King David was under siege on every side to destroy his name and to unseat him from his throne. Yet he must beware that his fierce battle field was more than sword and might in the hands of his enemies but the sinfulness and deceitfulness of the human heart. As long as he stood for righteousness, God was on his side. It was on this moral ground that David killed the giant Goliath who defied the God of Israel. But when he cherished sin in his heart, surely he would not escape the righteous judgment of God. It was on this moral breakdown that Nathan confronted him of his adultery and murder that eventually resulted in the staggering crisis inside his family and the bloody civil war in his kingdom. The great lesson for David to anchor his confidence in God came with such a great price.

Likewise, our fierce battlefield in life stands upon a moral ground. Once we compromise our biblical principles we can be sure that God will deal with us so we can come to our own senses. When we defy God and spurn his Word we do much damage to our soul and pierce our heart with grief. But when we make our moral stand for truth, righteousness and justice, we can be certain that God himself will fight for us and vindicate our cause. When we make a decisive stand upon our moral foundation, we can make a godly influence as salt and light in this fallen world. Our true knowledge of God is anchored upon the Scriptures. God gives us the spiritual discernment to embrace what is true and reject what is false. God himself sustains us with moral courage to love what is good and hate evil. Once we yield our whole being under the Lordship of Christ with a firm resolve to do what is true, right and just, the powers of darkness are actively at work to discourage and destroy us. What must we do? We guard our hearts and rest in God to protect and defend us.

B. Restful in His Presence (27:4-6)

God alone is our blessed shalom. In him we can find the wholeness and fullness of life. The Lord is our greatest joy and our hiding place and to whom we offer our grateful praise. King David, in all his pains and tears, found rest in the presence of God.

 1. Our Greatest Joy

There is no greater joy in life but to behold the beauty and glory of God. This glorious end captivated the heart of David.

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (27:4)

In our darkest moments we can have a better vision of the awesome beauty of God. This was true to David. As a father and king, he pierced his heart with unspeakable grief when he greatly suffered from his grievous sins. In his power he committed adultery that resulted into murder in his scheme to cover up his outrageous misdeed. As a consequence, his home was wrecked and his kingdom was divided. In the agony of his soul and the outcry of his guilt, he had no one to turn to for forgiveness and healing but to his God whom he deeply hurt. In his brokenness he cried out to God who restored him close to his heart. In deep gratitude and intimate communion with the LORD, David desired only one thing in life. It is to dwell in the glorious presence of God and to behold his unfading beauty for the rest of his life.

We are invited at Calvary. The cross of Christ is the most dreadful sight in the world. In the Roman world, the cross was the worst object of terror. Anyone hanged on the cross was cursed. The ancient world crucified the One whom they condemned of blasphemy against God and rebellion against the empire. Heaven was terrified for sinful mortals to have crucified the Son of God! At broad daylight at noon there was darkness in the land. Yet who would have thought in the midst of horrible darkness was the glorious light of the saving grace of God? For the One whom we all crucified is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And to every sinner who looks up to Christ with a humble heart to be right with God can rest in his glorious presence now and for all eternity. At the cross of Christ we can behold the unveiled beauty of heaven on earth. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world and the Lord of all. As we enthrone Jesus into our hearts, in gratitude we can sing with David for us to dwell in the glorious presence of the LORD and to gaze upon his perfect beauty all the days of our lives.  

 2. Our Hiding Place

In our lowly estate, God redeems us from our pit of sinfulness and brokenness and draws us to his presence with peaceful rest.

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle; and set me high upon a rock.” (27:5)

We need to stop running away from God and find our way home back to his loving embrace. We pierce our hearts with grief if we cherish sin and harden our heart. David had concealed his sin and was restless until he made things right with God. The Lord had forgiven David and restored him to his kingdom and kept him safe from all his enemies.

 3. Our Grateful Praise

In coming home to God with a humble and contrite heart, we can dwell in his loving presence with a wholesome rest. If we do, like David, we can sing to the LORD to worship him with a grateful heart.

“Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” (27:6)

C. Secure in His Compassion (27:7-12)

If God would only make a list of our sins and count them against us, no one could ever stand before his holy presence. And when God extends his grace upon us we must be careful not to use his loving kindness as a license to sin. Despite our waywardness, God affirms his love for us so we can be serious with sin and do what is right. Under the compassion of God we are safe and secure. In coming home back to God, like David, we yield our all to him with earnest pleadings.

 1. Our Plea for Restoration

In all our sinfulness and waywardness, with David, we make our humble plea that the LORD extends his mercy and be gracious to receive us.

“Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (27:7-10)

This could be the most desperate pleading of David. In the gravity and grievousness of his adultery and murder, he knew that he deserved death. He knew he lost his moral right to remain as the king. And he yielded that God alone had the final word for his life and destiny. Yet in the wretchedness of his soul his heart cried out to God. Despite the horrible nightmare because of his outrageous sins, he dearly held on to God not to give up on him and cast him away. Like a man in his death bed grasping for his final word, David made an earnest plea, “Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.” The world could have closed its door on him. God alone could welcome him. At the end of the rope, in his intimate knowledge of God he firmly held onto him as his ultimate lifeline. His personal pleading was like his last breathe, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”

When our beloved son or daughter commits a grievous sin and deeply breaks our hearts, as a father or mother, do we not yearn for the homecoming of our beloved child back to us? Unfortunately, there are extreme cases that defy the norm for a parent’s heart when a father and mother could close the door of the home for their rebellious child. Sad to say, because of the deep pain that parents bear, out of bitterness it is possible that the door of the home remains closed even for a repentant son or daughter. David was truly grateful that his God in heaven, and the Father of us all, is not a bitter human parent who is unwilling to forgive. This calls much searching of the heart. As fathers and mothers, how much do we love our children? And as sons and daughters, how much do we love our parents?

 2. Our Pursuit for Godliness

When we all find our home back to God, like David, may we have a fresh start and be circumspect to live an upright heart.

“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” (27:11)

When God points to our sin, may we not harden our heart. When God deals with our sin, may our soul not be embittered. When God forgives us of our sin, may we be careful to do what is righteous. And when we are tempted to get even against our oppressors, may we resolve to repay good for evil and hold on to the righteous judgments of God. May we have a teachable heart and walk in the paths of righteousness.

 3. Our Petition for Protection

In keeping ourselves pure, like David, we also plead that our enemies will not triumph over us. “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence” (v. 12). It is a given that there will always be people who will despise us and bent to harm us. May God protect us from evil and keep us from bitterness.

D. Stable in His Goodness (27:13-14)

We could have done our worst in life and suffer its dire consequences. Or someone could have done evil against us and we are grieving inside. In our bewildered estate we wonder if there is a way out. David sinned that devastated his life. Yet God rebuilt his broken life. God turns on the light in the darkness of our lives. And he is able to work out all things for our good if we yield our all to him. Those who are stable are seasoned with the painful realities in life.  In the goodness of the LORD we can stand up on our feet and go on in life with a renewed hope.

 1. Our Gracious God

In the richness of the grace of God, like David, we are reassured that his only desire for us is for our ultimate good.

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (27:13)

Think of the bad thing we had done and the evil done to us and how it had made us a better and stronger person in the image of Christ. There are great lessons in life we could hardly learn if we had not gone through such a painful process. We can be certain that nothing happens to us outside the knowledge of God and he is able to orchestrate all things for our good if only we allow him to finish his work in our lives.

 2. Our Unfailing God

Our sovereign God is worthy of our trust. He is true and trustworthy. Though so many times we have failed him yet we can be sure that he will never fail us. We may not fully understand the movements of God. Yet behind the scenes he silently moves to finish the good work he began in our lives. God works in wonders beyond our grasp. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (27:14).

Conclusion

In our journey in life we can learn great lessons from a little child. The innocence, confidence and dependence of a child are precious virtues of great delight. Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks so well that the kingdom of God belongs to anyone who trusts in him with all his heart and firmly hold onto his hands like that of a little child. In the beautiful song of David we are called to anchor our whole being in God. Why do we fix our eyes on God?

We are safe in his hands. “The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” When we do what is right there will always be crooked people who will malign and destroy us. God will defend us and vindicate our cause. In yielding our all to the Lord it can cost our lives. Yet now and for eternity we are sure that no one can ever snatch us from the hands of God.

We are restful in his presence. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” As light shines in darkness we can behold the grace and glory of God in our brokenness, trials and tribulations. In all our sorrows and pains we find solace in the loving embrace of God.  

We are secure in his compassion. “Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” We grieve in our sin in breaking the heart of God and may entertain the thought we no longer deserve to be his child. The world can close its door to us. At the cross of Christ we stand and find our home back to God.

Introduction

Ako nama’y nagtatanong lamang. Ano ang kabuluhan ng rainbow?  Ito ay naisalin sa ating wika na bahaghari. Sa Banal na Kasulatan ang bahaghari ay kapahayagan ng kadakilaan ng Diyos pagkatapos nang kanyang paghuhukom sa kasukdulan ng kasamaan ng sangkatauhan sa pamamagitan ng baha sa buong daigdig. Nilikha ng Panginoon ang bahaghari na may maliwanag na mensahe. Winika ng Diyos kay Noeh na kailanman ay hindi na muling mababalot sa tubig ang buong daigdig. Sa mga sinaunang lahi, tuwing makita nila ang rainbow o bahaghari, sila ay pinaghaharian ng banal na pagkatakot dahil sa poot ng Diyos sa kasalanan ng sanlibutan at sila din naman ay pakumbabang pinupuri ang Panginoon dahil sa kadakilaan ng kanyang habag sa sangkatauhan. Ang rainbow o bahaghari ay kapahayagan ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

Sa ating kapanahunan, ang bahaghari ay naging kalapastanganan laban sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. Sa maraming tao, ang kabuluhan ng rainbow ay LGBT pride. Ang bahaghari ay naging pangunahing simbolismo ng pandaigdigang samahan ng mga third sex o mga alanganging lalaki o babae dahil sila ay hindi kumikilala sa disenyo ng pagkalikha ng Diyos sa kasarian ng tao bilang isang likas na lalaki o babae. Ang diwa ng rainbow ay sinalaula ng mga masasama. Sa ngalan ng karapatang pantao, ang rainbow ay naging kulay ng kasamaan at kalaswaan.

Siyanga, kailanman ay hindi na muling magpapadala ang Diyos ng pandaigdigang baha dahil pinapangatawanan ng Diyos ang tunay na katuturan ng bahaghari. Subalit, ayon kay Apostol Pedro, sa pagbabalik ng Panginoong Jesus para hatulan ang matinding kasamaan ng sangkatauhan, ang buong daigdig maging ang sangnilikha ay matutupok ng apoy. Gagawin ito ng Diyos upang ganap niyang linisin ang sangnilikha sa anumang dungis at sumpa ng kasalanan.

Sa nakatadhanang paghuhukom ng Diyos, mabigat ang panawagan ni Apostol Pedro. Kung papaanong noong panahon ni Noe ay nabalot sa tubig ang buong daigdig at gayundin naman sa pagbabalik ni Jesus ay matutupok ang buong sangkatauhan ng apoy mula sa Langit, paano na lamang ba tayo dapat mabuhay? Marubdob siyang nanawagan sa buong sangkatauhan na dapat tayong pagharian ng banal na pagkatakot sa Diyos at mamuhay sa katotohanan, kabanalan, katuwiran at katarungan.

Kaya naman bilang bayan ng Diyos, ito ang takdang panahon na ating ipanumbalik, panindigan at pagyamanin ang ating banal na pagkakatawag bilang mga tunay na alagad ng Panginoon. We need to redeem our noble calling. Ang rainbow ay hindi kulay ng kalaswaan at kalapastanganan. Ang bahaghari ay kapahayagan ng kadakilaan at kaluwalhatian ng Poong Maykapal. Ito ang dapat nating panindigan at ipangaral upang matauhan ang sangkatauhan.

As a covenant people redeemed from darkness into the wonderful light, we are called to redeem our noble call and declare the glory of God. Entrusted in our bare hands are the inconceivable and incomparable wonders of God. Let the glorious light of God shine through us in this dark and sinful world.

Based from selected passages in the first epistle of Apostle Peter, let us examine the dominant themes why we need to declare the glory of God. We declare the glory of God because of our glorious heritage (1 Peter 2:9 and a parallel reference with Ephesians 1:3), our great salvation (1:3-5, 23-25), our steadfast joy (1:6-9), our godly transformation (1:13-17; 2:1-2) and our redemptive impact (2:21).

A. Our Glorious Heritage We glorify God because of our glorious spiritual heritage. 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 1:3

 Una sa lahat, pinapupurihan natin ang ating Panginoong Diyos dahil sa kanyang maluwalhating pamana sa atin bilang kanyang bayan. Ito ay ipinahayag ni Apostol Pedro at pinagtibay ni Apostol Pablo.

1. Apostle Peter declared the glorious inheritance of the church.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (2:9)

Ito ang ating maluwalhati at makalangit na katatayuan sa harapan ng Diyos. Tayo ang hinirang na bayan ng Diyos sa ilalim ng kanyang kapamahalaan at biyaya. Tayo ay lipi ng mg banal na saserdote at malaya tayong dumulog sa kanyang banal na presensiya at maglingkod sa kanyang kaharian. Tayo ang banal na bayan ng Diyos na kanyang tinubos sa dugo ni Jesus upang tayo ay mamuhay sa kabanalan. At tayo ang iglesia na pagmamay-ari ng Poong Maykapal at tayo ay kumikilala sa ating Ama sa Langit, kay Jesus na ating Tagapagligtas at Panginoon at pinanahanan ng Banal na Espiritu bilang tanda na tayo ang walang hanggang bayan ng Diyos.

 2. Apostle Paul testified of our glorious heavenly heritage.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3)

Bilang bayan ng Diyos,  ipanagkaloob sa atin ang lahat ng makalangit na pagpapala sa pamamagitan ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo. Bilang mga anak ng Diyos, kasama ni Jesus, tayo ay kapwa tagpagmana sa lahat ng pagpapala mula sa Langit. Kailanman ay hindi ipagkakait sa atin ang bawat mabubuting kaloob. Ngayon at magpakailanman, sumasaatin ang tunay na kaganapan ng buhay.

B. Our Great Salvation We glorify God because of our great salvation in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3-5, 23-25

Pangalawa, niluluwalhati natin ang Diyos dahil sa kanyang dakilang pagliligtas sa atin sa pamamagitan ni Cristo-Jesus.

1. We are saved through the gospel of Christ.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you.” (1:3-5)

Ang ating kaligtasan ay batay sa kamatayan at pagkabuhay ni Jesus. Si Jesus ay namatay para sa atin para sa ikapagpapatawad ng lahat ng ating kasalanan. At siya ay nabuhay na magmuli bilang katibayan na siya ang Diyos Anak at sa pamamagitan ng kanyang katuwiran ay mapawalang-sala tayo sa harapan ng Diyos. Ito ang mabuting balita ng ating kaligtasan. Ang ating kaligtasan ay pagkakaloob sa atin ng bagong kapanganakan sa pamamagitan ng pananahan ng Banal na Espiritu sa ating buhay. At sa ating kaligtasan tayo ay isinilang na muli sa bagong pag-asa upang huwag tayong manlupaypay sa kabila ng mga pasakit sa buhay at gayundin naman at ipinagkaloob sa atin ang makalangit na pamana na kailanman ay hindi masisira o mawawala. Ang ating walang hanggang tahanan ay sa Langit kasama ang ating Panginoon.

2. We are given new birth through the power of the Scriptures.

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (1:23)

Ang Biblia ay Salita ng Diyos. Ito ang buhay at walang hanggang Salita ng Diyos. Ito ang sukdulang katotohanan at kapangyarihan ng Diyos upang tayo ay makakilala sa kanya, maligtas mula sa ating pagkakasala at makapagpahinga ang ating kaluluwa. Sa kamatayan at pagkabuhay na muli ni Jesus tayo at naligtas sa pamamagitan nang ating pagsisisi sa ating kasalanan at pagsampalataya kay Cristo bilang ating Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Ito ay totoo dahil nasusulat sa Banal na Kasulatan. Sa katiyakan ng ating kaligtasan ay may kapanatagan ang ating puso.

 C. Our Steadfast Joy We glorify God because of the reaffirming joy in our suffering. 1 Peter 1:6-9

Pangatlo, pinupuri natin ang Diyos dahil siya ang kagalakan maging sa ating pagdurusa dahil sa kanyang pangalan.

1. We experience the joy of God in our sufferings for Christ.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1:6)

Tayo ay iniligtas ng Diyos upang maranasan natin ang tunay na kagalakan sa buhay na hindi nasusukat sa pilak at ginto. Manapa, tayo ay nakikigalak na makabahagi sa kanyang pasakit sa kanyang pag-aalay ng buhay para sa atin doon sa krus sa Kalbaryo. Kung papaano niya inialay ang kanyang buhay para sa atin, gayundin naman ay ating iniaalay ang ating buhay para sa kanya at balikatin ang kanyang pagdurusa alinsunod sa ating pagpapasakop sa kanyang kalooban. At kung tayo man ay magdurusa sa ating paninindigan kung ano ang totoo, matuwid at makatarungan, ang kagalakan ng Diyos ang magpapatibay sa ating kalooban upang maihayag natin ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

2. Our sufferings in Christ are meant to purify our souls.

“These have come so that your faith—of greater than worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1:7)

Dinadalisay ang ginto sa pamamagitan ng apoy. Dinadalisay din naman ang ating kaluluwa sa pamamagitan ng pagsubok. Huwag nating tignan ang pagsubok na isang pabigat na kaaway kundi isang mabuting kaibigan. Dahil sa pugon ng pagsubok tumitingkad ang kadalisayan ng ating pananampalataya kay Jesus. Ang naninindigan kay Jesus sa kabila ng matitinding pagsubok ay katibayan na totoo at dalisay ang ating pagkakilala sa Diyos.

3. We endure suffering because of our devotion to Christ.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1:8-9)

Ang katatagan ng ating pananalig sa Diyos sa gitna ng pasakit sa buhay ay nakabatay sa ating dalisay na pag-ibig kay Jesus. Mapalad ang mga sinaunang Kristiyano na nakita at sumampalataya kay Jesus. At mapalad din naman tayo na sumasampalataya kay Jesus bagama’t hindi natin siya nakita. Si Jesus ay totoo at mapagkakatiwalaan. Siya ay namatay at nabuhay mula sa kamatayan at buhay magpakailanman! At siya ay nananahan sa ating puso. Siya ang pinakadakilang handog ng Langit para sa atin. At siya ang pinamahalagang kayamanan sa ating puso. Siya mismo ang ating Diyos, Tagapagligtas at Panginoon. Sa kanyang dakilang pag-ibig sa atin ay inialay niya ang kanyang buhay para sa atin. Nararapat din naman na ating ialay ang ating buhay para sa kanya dahil siya ang una at huling pag-ibig sa buhay. Kaya naman, sa buhay man o kamatayan ay nabubuhay tayo at mamamatay para sa Panginoon.

D. Our Godly Transformation We glorify God because of the godly transformation in our lives. 1 Peter 1:13-17; 2:1-2

Pang-apat, dinadakila natin ang Diyos dahil sa kanyang pagbabago sa ating buhay upang tayo ay mamuhay sa kabanalan.

1. Godliness calls for total obedience to the will of God.

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” (1:14)

Sa ating kaligtasan kinakailangan na maging buo ang ating kalooban upang tayo ay mabuhay sa kabanalan (1:13). Kagalakan ng isang magulang para sa minamahal na anak na lumakad sa katotohanan. Gayundin naman, kagalakan ng ating Ama sa Langit na tayo ay nagpapasakop sa kanya at sumusunod sa kanyang kalooban.

2. Godliness calls for integrity in every aspect of our lives.

“But just as he who calls you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, ‘Be holy because I am holy.” (1:15-16)

Sakop ng kabanalan ang kabuoan ng buhay. Kumusta ang diwa ng ating isipan? Kumusta ang bawat salita na ating binibitawan? Kumusta ang bawat layunin sa ating puso? Kumusta ang ating paninindigan sa ating pangako? Kumusta ang ating pakikitungo sa ating kapwa-tao? Kumusta ang dangal sa ating paghahanapbuhay? Kumusta ang katapatan sa ating marriage vows? Kumusta ang interidad sa ating pananalapi? Kumusta ang kagalakan sa ating paglilingkod? At kumusta naman ang ating pagiging totoo sa ating sarili?

 3. We grow toward spiritual maturity in obedience to the Scriptures.

“Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (2:2-3)

Likas para sa isang sanggol na uminom sa gatas ng kanyang Ina. Ang tunay na nakakakilala kay Jesus ay pinananabikan ang dalisay na Salita ng Diyos. At ang lumalagong Kristiyano ay personal na nakikipanayam sa Diyos at isinasapuso ang Banal na Kasulatan sa bawat araw.

E. Our Redemptive Impact We glorify God through the redemptive impact of our witness. 1 Peter 2:21

Panghuli, niluluwalhati natin ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating pagiging makabuluhang mga saksi sa ngalan ng ating Panginoong Jesus.

1. We follow Jesus’ footsteps in humble submission to the will of God.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (2:21)

Dapat nating matutunan na sumunod sa mga yapak ni Jesus sa kaparaanan na maging maingat tayo na huwag nating ipinapalagay na ginaganap natin ang kalooban ng Diyos samantalang umiiral ang ating makasariling kalooban. Katulad din naman tayo ni Simon Pedro na magkaminsan ay pinanghahawakan natin na tayo ay gumagawa ng mabuti para sa Panginoon ngunit kung maingat nating susuriin ang ating puso ay higit na nananaig ang nais nating mangyari. Ngunit tulad din naman ni Simon Pedro na natauhan sa kanyang pagkakamali at lumakad ng tapatan sa pagsunod kay Jesus na walang pagkamakasarili, gayundin naman, laan din naman nating pakabantayan ang ating mapanlinlang na puso upang sumunod tayo kay Jesus na may malinis na budhi. Ang ating pagsunod kay Jesus ay naihahayag sa ating pakumbabang pagpapasakop.

 2. We are called to submit to every governing authority.

a.     Submission to authorities in the society (2:13-14)

b.    Submission to authorities in the family (2:18-19)

c.     Submission to authorities in the church (5:1-6)

Maliwanang kay Apostol Pedro na kung papaanong lubusang nagpasakop si Jesus sa kanyang Ama sa Langit hanggang sa kanyang kamatayan sa krus, gayundin naman, bawat alagad ni Cristo ay nararapat na magpasakop sa kalooban ng Diyos at balikatin sa bawat araw ang krus ni Jesus sa paninindigan ng pawang katotohanan, katuwiran at katarungan sa lipunan, iglesiya at tahanan.

 Conclusion

Sa diwa ng katuruang ito, mainam nating balikan ang kabuluhan ng rainbow. Ano nga ba ang tunay na katuturan ng bahaghari? Siyanga, hindi para maging kulay at simbolismo ng kasamaan at kalaswaan, kundi ito ay kapahayagan ng kadakilaan at kaluwalhatiaan ng Diyos. We have to redeem the essence of the rainbow. Likewise, we have to redeem our noble call as Christians. As a covenant people we declare the glory of God who called us from darkness into his wonderful light. We glorify God because of our glorious spiritual heritage. We glorify God because of our great salvation in Jesus Christ. We glorify God because of the reaffirming joy in our suffering. We glorify God because of the godly transformation in our lives. And we glorify God through the redemptive impact of our Christian witness. What does this mean to us as a people of God? Sa ating paninindigan sa ating banal na pagkakatawag para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos, ako ay nag-iiwan ng personal na mga katanungan para sa lahat.

 1. Our Glorious Heritage Do we manifest our rich spiritual heritage to people around us?

2. Our Great Salvation Do we share the good news of salvation in calling sinners to God?

3. Our Steadfast Joy Do we affirm our love for God despite all our pains in life?

4. Our Godly Transformation Do we cultivate intimacy with God so we become more like Christ?

5. Our Redemptive Impact Do we make a godly impact inside our home and in our society?

Introduction

Ang pinakamagandang kuwento ng buhay ay ang pagliligtas ng Diyos sa isang makasalanan. Ang magandang larawan ng kaligtasan ay ang paghango ng Diyos sa isang makasalanan mula sa kadiliman patungo sa liwanag. Mula sa kadiliman ng kasalanan ay mananahan ang isang pinatawad na makasalanan sa liwanag ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

Bilang isang bayan ng Diyos, tayo ay tinawag mula sa kadiliman tungo sa liwanag. Ang patotoo ni Simon Pedro ay isang himala ng buhay. Sa ating pagsiyasat sa kanyang buhay ay nakikiisa tayo sa isang makabuluhang paglalakbay ng buhay.

 A. The Call of Peter (Luke 5:1-11)

Si Simon ay isang Hudio na lumaki sa pananampalataya ng Judaismo ayon sa katuruan ni Moses. Siya at ng kanyang kababayan ay naghihintay sa isang Mesiyas na magliligtas sa bansang Israel mula sa Kaharian ng Roma. Unang nakilala ni Simon si Jesus nang ipakilala siya ng kanyang kapatid na si Andres. At ang nangingibabaw na palaisipan sa mga Israelita ay kung si Jesus ang pinakahihintay nilang Mesiyas.

Ang personal na pakikpagtagpo ni Simon kay Jesus ay naganap sa Dagat ng Galilea (Lukas 5:1-11). Kasama niya ang kanyang kapatid na si Andres at ang kanilang dalawang pinsan na sina Juan at Santiago na magdamag na nangisda sa dagat ngunit wala silang nahuli ni isa mang isda. Kinabukasan habang inililigpit na nila ang kanilang lambat, nagulat sila nang sadyang sumakay si Jesus sa bangka ni Simon. At habang siya ay nakasakay sa bangka sa dalampasigan ay nangaral siya sa maraming mga tao. Pagkatapos ay inutusan niya si Simon na idako ang bangka na hindi kalayuan sa dalampasigan at ilatag ang kanyang panghuling lambat at mangisda. Batid ni Simon bilang isang batikang mangingisda na wala sa lugar at oras na makapanghuli ng mga isda dahil umaga na at malapit lang sa dalampasigan. Bagama’t may pag-atubili ay sumunod siya sa salita ni Jesus. Siya ay labis na namangha sa napakadaming huli ng isda na halos hindi kayanin ng kanyang lambat.

Sa presensiya ni Jesus at sa ginawa niyang himala, ang pangunahing tugon ni Simon ay, “Lumayo kayo sa akin, Panginoon; ako ay isang makasalanan.” Kinilala ni Simon si Jesus bilang isang dakilang Guro ng Israel na tagapagturo ng Kaharian ng Diyos. At ang kanyang kapangyarihan bilang isang Rabbi ng Israel ay napagtibay sa kanyang himala bilang tanda na siya ay sugo ng Diyos. Ano ang naging tugon ni Simon Pedro kay Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo sa paghahari ng Diyos at sa kanyang nasaksihang himala? Kinilala niya ang kanyang pagiging makasalanan at hindi siya karapatdapat na makasama ni Jesus na kanyang kinilala at iginalang bilang Panginoon.

Ano ang tugon ni Jesus kay Simon Pedro? Hindi siya tinanggihan at nilisan ni Jesus. Bagkus hinirang niya si Simon bilang isa sa kanyang alagad, “Huwag kang matakot; mula ngayon ikaw ay mangingisda ng mga tao.” Siya, kasama ang kanyang kapatid na si Andres at ang kanilang dalawang pinsan na sina Santiago at Juan, ay iniwan nila ang pangingisda at sumunod kay Jesus. Si Simon ay isa sa Labindalawang Apostoles na masugid na mga alagad na kasama ni Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo sa Salita ng Diyos at pangangaral sa Kaharian ng Diyos.

B. The Confession of Peter (Matthew 16:13-23)

Nakasama ni Simon Pedro si Jesus sa loob ng tatlong taon. Sa lahat ng katuruan ni Jesus at sa lahat ng kanyang mga himala, nakatatak sa isipan ng mga apostoles ang mahigpit na pagtatanong kung sino talaga si Jesus. Sino nga ba talaga si Jesus na sa kapangyarihan ng kanyang salita ay tumatalima ang mga masasamang ispiritu at maging ang hangin sa himpapawid at ang mga alon sa dagat?

Sa mga huling mga buwan ni Jesus sa daigdig ay inihayag niya ang kanyang sarili at tiniyak niyang makilala siya ng kanyang mga apostoles. Ang dakilang pagpapahayag na ito ay naganap sa bayan ng Caesasaria Philippi sa probinsiya ng Galilea (Mt. 16:13-23).

Tinanong ni Jesus ang kanyang mga apostoles kung ano ang pagkakilala sa kanya ng mga tao. Ayon sa mga tao, siya daw ay si Juan Bautista, Elias, Jeremias o isa sa mga bantayog na mga propeta sa Lumang Tipan. Totoo, si Jesus ay ang dakilang propeta ng Diyos na tapaghatid ng mabuting balita ng Diyos. Ngunit si Jesus ay higit sa isang propeta. Gayundin naman, siya ay isang dakilang Guro; ngunit siya ay higit na isang Rabbi ng Israel. At siya din naman ay isang tagagawa ng mga kamangha-manghang himala; sublit siya ay higit sa isang tagagawa ng mga himala. Sino nga ba talaga si Jesus?

Pagkatapos sumagot ang mga alagad kung ano ang pagkakakilala ng mga tao kay Jesus, personal niyang tinanong ang mga apostoles kung ano ang kanilang pagkakilala sa kanya. Sa gitna ng mga alagad ay naghari ang nakabibinging katahimikan at napakalalim na pagtatanong sa sariling isipan kung ano ang kanilang sasabihin.

Dito tumayo sa Simon Pedro at siya ay tahasang nagsalita, “Kayo ang Cristo ang Anak ng buhay na Diyos.” Hindi siya sumagot na may pagtatanong, “Hindi po ba kayo ang Mesiyas at Anak ng Diyos?” At hindi rin siya tumugon na may alinlangan, “Sa aking palagay ay kayo ang Mesiyas ang Anak ng Diyos.” Bagkus ay sumagot si Simon Pedro ng tapatan na may katiyakan, “Kayo ang Cristo ang Anak ng buhay na Diyos.” Kinikilala ni Pedro na si Jesus ang Mesiyas na sugo mula sa Langit at Anak ng Diyos na may likas at lubos na katangian bilang ganap na Diyos.

Kung tutuusin, ang winika ni Simon Pedro ay napakabigat na pananalita na maaaring tignan na isang kahungkagan at kasinungalingan. Sa pagkakilala ng madla kay Jesus ay isa siyang hamak na tao na anak nina Jose at Maria. Sa ganitong pananaw, ang mawika na si Jesus ay isang ganap na Diyos ay isang mabigat na kasalanan nang pamumusong. Karagdagan dito, dahil siya ay mula sa hamak na bayan ng Nazareth ay walang inaasahan ang mga Israelita na dakilang bagay mula sa kanya.

Pagkatapos magsalita si Simon Pedro, pinagtibay ni Jesus ang katotohanan na ang pagkakilala ni Pedro kay Jesus ay dakilang kapahayagan ng kanyang Diyos Ama sa Langit. Batay sa dakilang kapahayagan na ito ay naitayo ang pundasyon ng pananampalatayang Kristiyanismo.

Simula noon ay mahigpit na itinuro ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang kanyang kamatayan sa kamay ng mga Hentil at ang kanyang muling pagkabuhay pagkatapos ng tatlong araw mula sa libingan. Matinding tinutulan ni Pedro ang kamatayan ni Jesus dahil siya ang kinikilala nilang Mesiyas na Hari na siyang magliligtas sa Israel mula sa Kaharian ng Roma. Sinaway siya ni Jesus dahil sa mali niyang pang-unawa.

Lingid sa kaunawaan ni Simon Pedro at ng mga apostoles, ang kamatayan ni Jesus ang tanging paraan ng pagliligtas ng Diyos sa kanyang bayan mula sa kanilang kasalanan. At ang kanyang maluwalhating  pagkabuhay na magmuli ang dakilang katibayan ng pagpapawalang-sala ni Jesus sa mga makasalanan. Ang katotohanan na ito ay hindi arok sa sariling pang-unawa ng mga alagad.

 C. The Denial of Peter (Luke 22:54-62)

Sa bahagi ni Simon Pedro, walang makagagalaw kay Jesus upang tiyakin na siya ay hindi mamamatay. Sa pinakahuling gabi na makapiling ni Jesus ang Labindalawang Apostoles, naganap ang pinakamabigat na pasakit kay Simon Pedro (Lk. 22:54-62).

Sa kanilang huling hapunan sa Jerusalem, winika ni Jesus na siya ay darakpin ng Sanhedrin at siya ay tatalikdan ng lahat ng kanyang mga alagad. Dito tumayo si Simon Pedro at nanindigan na may panata na ipagtatanggol niya si Jesus hanggang sa kamatayan. Mahinahon siyang sinabihan ni Jesus na sa takdang gabing iyon bago pa man tumilaok ang tandang ay tatlong ulit na siyang itatatwa ni Simon Pedro. At pinaalalahan ni Jesus si Pedro na siya ay kanyang ipinalangin na makapanumbalik-loob sa Diyos pagkatapos niyang bumagsak sa pagkakasala at kanyang palalakasin ang kanyang kapwa mga alagad.

Naganap nga ang winika ni Jesus kay Simon Pedro. Noong madakip si Jesus doon sa Hardin ng Getsemane, tinalikdan siya ng labindalawang apostoles. Sa bahagi ni Simon ay tatlong ulit nitong itinatwa si Jesus. At tumilaok ang tandang. Sa di kalayuan ay nagkatagpo mata sa mata sina Jesus at Simon Pedro. Natauhan si Pedro at labis siyang tumangis.

Noong tumilaok ang tandang, paano tinignan ni Jesus si Simon Pedro? Nanlisik ba ang kanyang mga mata na may pagbabanta, “Simon, humanda ka at tayo ay magtutuos!” Tumaas ba ang kanyang mga kilay na may pangungutya, “Sinabi ko na nga ba sa iyo, Simon.” O di kaya ay minabuti niyang tinignan si Simon na may pagsamo, “Ipinalangin kita na pagkatapos mong magkasala ay makababangon ka upang maging daluyan ka ng kalakasan para sa iba.” Hindi tinignan ni Jesus si Simon Pedro na may pagbabanta o pangungutya kundi may pagsamo. At lubusang tumangis si Simon Pedro na may taos-pusong pagsisisi.

D. The Restoration of Peter (John 21:1-19)

Hindi madali para kay Simon Pedro na patawarin ang sarili sa bigat ng kanyang pagtatwa kay Jesus. Lalo pa at nasaksihan niya ang kamatayan ni Jesus sa krus. Sa kamatayan ni Jesus, gumuho ang tanging pag-asa sa kanyang buhay kasama ang lahat mga alagad. Kamangha-mangha sa lahat, nabuhay si Jesus mula sa libingan! Nabuhayan ng loob si Simon Pedro at bawat alagad. Ngunit sadyang hindi mawaglit sa isipan ni Pedro ang mabigat niyang pagtatwa kay Jesus. Kailan pa kaya niya mapapatawad ang kanyang sarili sa bigat ng kanyang pagkakasala? Dito pumasok si Jesus sa eksena upang kanyang ipanumbalik-loob ang kanyang alagad na nagkasala (Jn. 21:1-19).

Sa bigat ng pagkakasala ni Simon Pedro, paano pa kaya maiibsan ang panunumbat ng kanyang budhi? Naisipan niyang bumalik muli sa pangingisda at isinama niya ang ilang masugi na mga alagad. Magdamag silang nangisda sa Dagat ng Galilea. Wala silang nahuli ni isa mang isda! Kinaumagahan sila ay pabalik sa dalampasigan. Hindi nila alintana na si Jesus ay nasa dalampasigan na nag-iihaw ng isda para sa agahan.

Tinanong sila ni Jesus, “Mga kaibigan, wala ba kayong nahuling isda?” Tumugon sila, “Wala.” Winika ni Jesus, “Ihagis ninyo ang inyong lambat sa bandang kanan ng bangka at makahuhuli kayo ng mga isda.” Tumalima sila at nanggilalas sa dami ng kanilang nahuling mga isda! At napagtanto nila na si Jesus ang nasa dalampasigan.

Inaanyayahan sila ni Jesus sa agahan. Pagkatapos nilang kumain ay tapatang kinausap ni Jesus si Pedro. Talong ulit niyang tinanong kung gaano siya kamahal ng kanyang alagad. Sa bawat tanong ay sumagot si Simon Pedro na may kirot sa puso at kanyang pinagtibay na mahal niya si Jesus ng higit sa lahat. Nagbilin si Jesus na kinakailangang alagaan ni Simon ang kanyang kawan. At winika ni Jesus na ang pagsunod ni Simon Pedro sa kanya ay mangangahulugan ng kanyang kamatayan bilang paghahandog ng buhay sa kanyang Panginoon na kanyang lubos na minamahal. Sa unang sulat ni Apostol Pedro sa mga kapatirang banal ay pinagtitibay niya ang kanyang dakilang pagmamahal kay Jesus na Mabuting Pastol sa kanyang kawan.

 Conclusion

Mula sa kadiliman ay tinawag ni Jesus si Pedro patungo sa liwanag. Kinilala ni Simon Pedro ang kanyang pagiging makasalanan at tinawag siya ni Jesus bilang isang mangingisda ng mga kaluluwa. Mali ang pagkakilala niya kay Jesus ngunit ipinahayag sa kanya na siya ang Mesiyas at Anak ng Diyos. Tatlong ulit niyang itinatwa si Jesus ngunit tatlong ulit din namang pinagtibay ni Jesus ang kanyang pagmamahal at panunumbalik-loob mula sa kanyang pagkakasala.

Sa anong paraan tayo nakikiisa kay Simon Pedro sa ating paglalakbay sa buhay kasama ni Jesus mula sa kadiliman patungo sa liwanag?

Ako naman ay nag-iiwan ng mga personal na kaisipan para sa ating lahat. Sama-sama natin itong talakayin upang higit tayong makinabang sa tapatan nating pagbabahaginan ng buhay para sa isa’t-isa.

 1. Sinfulness and Calling As sinners, our true encounter with Jesus compels us to see our utter sinfulness before his presence and for us to cherish our noble call into his kingdom. Share your own story of your personal encounter with Jesus and how you embraced his noble call for your life.

2. Misconception and Revelation As seekers, Jesus is able to demolish our misconceptions about him and reveals himself to us so we can know and anchor our life in him. Identify your misconceptions about Jesus and how they had been addressed in light of the Scriptures.

 3. Denial and Restoration As disciples, Jesus Christ is delighted to restore us to himself despite all our failures so we can learn our lessons well and yield our all to him. Share your own experience on how you have somehow made a denial of Jesus or have failed him and how he restored your love for the Lord.