By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009

SCRIPTURE:
^“King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!" (Mark 6:14-16, NIV)

Observation:
I asked myself the claims being made about Jesus?

1. John the Baptist has been raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.

2. Others said, “He is Elijah.”

3. And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.

People thought Jesus was either John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet like one of the prophets of long ago.

Interpretation:
I asked myself why that is significant?
People were assuming things about Jesus when He had become well known everywhere including in the palace of Herod. This assumption made them think about people being raised from the dead or people coming back from the past to explain Jesus away.

Based on that faulty thinking they made claims about Jesus that were not true. Jesus was not John the Baptist; neither was He Elijah, neither like one of the prophets of long ago. Jesus did so many things that no one person from the past did.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. What I think about Jesus will govern how I live my life and what place Jesus has in my life. If my thinking is faulty, it will affect my own Christian walk. If it is biblical then, there is ammunition for me to use that thinking to live my life knowing what I think about Jesus will help me through my life.

If I think Jesus was just like John the Baptist, then there is no difference following Jesus or John, the Baptist. However, Jesus was not John, the Baptist. John, the Baptist claimed that the One who would come will baptize with fire while he only baptized with water.  The irony of using water and fire in the same verse is very interesting for me. Jesus claimed to be the Living Water and baptized with fire, the fire of the Holy Spirit.

If I think Jesus was Elijah, it does not fit the facts of Jesus’ life.

If I think Jesus was a prophet like the prophets of long ago, I am missing a major point. Jesus is seen as a prophet by many but Jesus was more than a prophet. Jesus forgave peoples' sins and then healed them. The teachers of the law knew only God could forgive sin. Now, Jesus comes along and says, “Son, your sins are forgiven”. Jesus was claiming to be someone they all really do not grasp yet. He had His timing so He kept the people from knowing a lot of things until the desired time.

So, Jesus was not John, the Baptist; nor Elijah; nor just one of the prophets like one of the prophets of long ago.

Then, what do I think about Jesus?
I think about Jesus, to be the AUTHOR OF MY LIFE This means He alone has sole copyright to my life. He created me and He can choose what gifts, talents, etc He wants to put in me. The blueprint for His creation of me is in Psalm 139. When people read me and I am belonging to the Author of Life, they will come to know the One who created me because my life will reflect the Creator if I follow the Creator and do not decide to do a copyright infringement. This also means to me that Jesus knows the beginning of my life and what the final chapter and ending of my life would be. Since, He is the Author of my Life, I need to remember whatever I am going through, Jesus can help me through it whether it be in a career, academics, or a relationship. Since, He is the Author of my Life, I can also depend on Him for the Bride of my dreams and if He has chosen that person for me, it will happen! I know He will provide and send the right person my way in His timing. I need to rest in Him for ever facet of my life.

I think about Jesus, to be the BREAD OF LIFE. This means Jesus will give me the spiritual food to go on and live a healthy spiritual life. Just as we need food for our physical body to be sustained, I need spiritual food to sustain my spiritual life. Who better to give it to me than the Bread of Life.

I think about Jesus, to be my COUNSELOR. This means Jesus will counsel me through the day and night. Through the darkest nights when pain can be like a knife of fire because of things that have happened or not knowing for sure but waiting and waiting on a decision relying on the Lord, He can counsel me and guide me through. He counsels me through His Word, through dreams, and circumstances in life that seem like signs from Him which include people Jesus sends my way especially His body, the community of believers in Him.

I think about Jesus, to be my DELIVERER. This means Jesus will deliver me from the enemy and his lies. Jesus will deliver me from my confusion when I have it; Jesus will deliver me from the times I am down and depressed; Jesus will deliver me more than anything from sin because of the price He came to pay for me as I pray and seek Him.

I think about Jesus, to be my EVERLASTING FATHER. This means, Jesus is my Eternal Father who will never change but be Everlasting. This means Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The miracles Jesus did then, I believe He can do now too. This also means I am His child and as my Everlasting Father, He knows who I should be with in marriage; He knows what I should be doing career wise, and all aspects of my life and He can provide.

I think about Jesus, to be my FRIEND. This means, Jesus is my Friend who never leaves me nor forsakes me. Jesus is always there for me. Whatever the time or place, I can turn to Him and talk to Him in prayer. I do not even need special words but just talking to Him about what’s going on in my life. He is a Friend so true.  Jesus will comfort me in my times of sorrow and when I feel lonely. Jesus will help me be a friend to others as He is my Friend as I keep company with Jesus and learn from Him.

I think about Jesus to be my GREAT PHYSICIAN. This means Jesus is infinitely better than any earthly physician. There are situations in our lives no earthly physician can heal. Only the healing touch of the Great Physician can heal the scars of life, certain dreaded diseases, scars of broken relationships, and mostly the virus of sin that has infected all of us. Jesus will heal us as we depend on His cleansing blood to wash us and clean us for our healing. I believe that! His healing can come in miraculous and amazing ways! I believe He will heal me in His timing of things I am going through and bring me out better than where I started.

I think about Jesus to be my HEALER. This means Jesus heals my infirmities in His timing. I know He already has healed me from so much in different areas of my life. There is an area of my life that I need healing more than anything right now and Jesus can be my Healer no matter what the final outcome would be.

I think about Jesus to be my INSPIRATION. This means Jesus gives me inspiration to do so many things. Jesus is my inspiration to share what I learn from Him with you all. Jesus is my inspiration to write songs, poems, and religious articles. Jesus is my Inspiration to live for Him.

I think about Jesus to be my JUSTICE. This means Jesus will give me justice His way whatever I am going through.

I think about Jesus to be my KING OF KINGS. This means Jesus is my King and the King of kings of the world. My allegiance should belong to the King of Kings foremost before anyone here on earth. Jesus should be my first love and first obedience too. My King help me please.

I think about Jesus to be my LORD OF LORDS. This means coming to the grips that when I asked Jesus into my life, He did not want to just be my Savior but my Lord too. I need to be obedient to Him in every area of my life whether it is relationships which the Lord made us to be in whether they are with family, friends, or future spouse. I need to give my hopes and dreams to Him and be willing to follow. Making Jesus to be Lord of my life has been harder than making Him Savior of my life. This means I may have to give into things I do not want to give in. This means I have to give up things I do not want to give up. For my Lord and Personal Savior, Jesus Christ I need to do that when He asks of me. Help me Lord Jesus! It is only by His grace that I can do it.

I think about Jesus to be my MESSIAH. This means He is the Chosen One for me to take care of my life. He will be my Deliverer!

I think about Jesus to be my NURTURE. This means I know that Jesus will feed me with His Word. I can get all my spiritual nourishment from His Word and allow other areas to supplement my personal time in growing with Jesus. These include fellowships and church involvement. I have found more than anything it is my personal Quiet Times with Jesus that have built me up and kept me going. Especially, during times of trials and tribulations which have been painful, the nurture of Jesus is so powerful.

I think about Jesus to be my OMNIPOTENT ONE. This is means I know Jesus is all powerful and can make things happen if He chooses. Nehemiah prayed that the Lord would speak to the king’s heart and he would let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. After prayer and fasting for days that included praise, petition, and pardon, because Nehemiah desperately wanted to go back and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the Lord softened the kings heart. In my own life, I can seek the Lord for what I want and if He chooses He can give what I want because He is Omnipotent. I also know because He is Omnipotent, He sees way ahead into the future what I cannot even fathom in my finiteness. I can rest in Him!

I think about Jesus to be my PRINCE OF PEACE. This means I know Jesus will be my Prince of Peace. Oh the Lord knows how much I have needed His peace many days. As I have turned to the Lord in my days of pain or confusion, He has given me His peace knowing He will take care of the situations I am concerned about. I am reminded of Jesus’ words that the peace He gives me will not be fragile like the peace the world gives, so I do not have to be troubled or afraid. So, I know if I have peace about a situation, no matter what obstacles or no matter what others say to me, if it is His peace, it will not waver. I can be confident in my Prince of Peace depending on Him knowing His peace that surpasses all understanding will keep my heart quiet and at rest as I trust in Him.

I think about Jesus to be my QUICKENER! This means Jesus is the One who quickens me to do things in line with His will. As I follow Him and seek Him daily, His will and what He wants for me will become my desire. This is what I pray for!

I think about Jesus to be my REDEEMER. This means Jesus redeemed me from where I was and brought me to where I am. His redemption is what has given me new life. Even in times of pain, the Lord Jesus can redeem the situation in His timing. I know this means His redemption for me in an area of my life may not be what I expect it to be but it could be far better or it could be what I expect it to be where I can still rejoice! Thank you Jesus!

I think about Jesus to be my SAVIOR! This means Jesus saves me and He alone. There is no other Name in Heaven whereby men or women must be saved except the Name of Jesus. He alone can save me and be my Savior. This also means He will be my Savior from any brokenness, etc.

I think about Jesus to be my TRUTH! This means Jesus will always speak the Truth in love to me. What I may think is right for me when seen through the eyes of the Savior may not be right and the Truth would be pointed out. What I may think is not right for me but is right when seen through the eyes of the Lord, then too the Truth would be pointed out. Mostly, His Truth about His Word and Salvation will be pointed out in my life so all other facets can be based upon the following of Scripture!

I think about Jesus to be my UNDERSTANDING. This means He understands me more than I will ever understand myself. This means Jesus is so understanding no matter how many times I bring up a same situation to Him. Jesus knows a situation I have brought to Him daily and continue to bring it to Him until He gives me the peace and the answer one way or the other. I know He will confirm His peace to me and His understanding for my life as I continue to seek Him and wait upon Him!

I think about Jesus to be my VALOR! This means Jesus will be my braveness. Jesus will give me the courage to go on in situations I feel sometimes I cannot move away from; Jesus will help me face decisions that are so hard for me to face; and more than anything Jesus will shine His love upon my life and let me know since He is my Valor, there is nothing I should really be fearful about, for He will take care of everything for my good in His timing!

I think about Jesus to be the WORD. This means Jesus has been there from the beginning of creation. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made through Him and nothing was made that has not been made. The Light shines through the darkness and the darkness cannot ever extinguish it. The Word became humanity and dwelt among us. (John 1) Jesus became God-incarnate to live among us and give us His Word. I can depend on His Word to get me through. I can depend on the promises of the Lord to get me through my pain and have His peace even when 'the pain of a situation' creeps up at certain times of each day more than at other times.

One day, a student came up to me and gave me a Scripture verse at work out of the blue. Amazingly, I needed that verse that day which I had forgotten for a while.

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32, NIV)

I think about Jesus to be my XCITEMENT! This means with Jesus, I can have an exciting life no matter what pain I may be feeling. For Jesus promises, I have come to give Abundant Life with an emphasis on Abundant. Walking and talking with Jesus can be so exciting as I think about the things Jesus has already done in my life and will continue to do.

I think about Jesus to be the One to take me to ZION. This means Jesus will be the One to give me entrance to Zion when the Father’s timing has come. In that day, I will be with Jesus in Zion and that is exciting to know.

More than anything whatever I think about Jesus is dependent on me wearing the Armor of God so I am not defeated by Satan and his demonic influences.

This past weekend, I had the honor of listening to Dr. George Murray, an missionary and current chancellor of Columbia International University. One of the things he asked us was a complete surrender to the Lordship of Christ.
That means we basically sign a empty paper with our name and allow Jesus to fill up the paper of what He wants for our lives. We are signing our lives over to the Lord. We do not control our lives but allow Him to control our lives. We won't always know what the Lord Jesus will write in a blank contract we sign but we can know it will always be good even when we feel it is not good.

"I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope!" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

It starts with what we think about Jesus and our surrender to Him. When we do that based on our thinking of Jesus we can have confidence to sign the pledge in front of a witness:

"The pledge says, 'Lord Jesus, ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, I am ready!'

Signed ____________,  Date _________ "

"On the inside it says, MY DECISION

By signing the front of this card, today I decide that Jesus Christ is Lord and Master of my life. I no longer want to merely include God in my plans. I want God to include me in His plan, whatever that means, whatever the cost.

ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

Witnessed by _______________"

I cannot do it on my own strength but the strength He gives me. I am comforted by the promises in Psalm 121 which is a favorite song of mine and Romans 8 which is a favorite chapter of mine.

I ask you now dear friend, what do you think about Jesus?
Dear friend, whatever you think about Jesus can either continue to build your faith up or hurt your faith. Whatever you think about Jesus, base it on the Word of God and not on your own perceptions of Jesus, your assumptions about Jesus, or suppositions about Jesus based on other people’s remarks etc. This is what the people of that day were doing including in the palace of Herod and they were wrong.

What I think about Jesus can be substantiated by the Word of God and through my own experiences of experiencing Jesus in my own life confirmed by the Word of God. What is so cool is the dream I got where I saw Jesus in my dream coming up the mountain wearing all white. It was so exciting and after I woke up the words of Jesus, "Do not be afraid, just believe" kept resonating in me. Whenever I feel down I keep claiming God's promises.

Whatever I think about Jesus, you can think about Jesus too for it is biblical. You can also think about Jesus in other ways that I have not even used from A-Z. Your list can be totally different from mine and yet to be Truth when it is taken from Scripture. More than anything wearing the Armor of God everyday will tell people what you think about Jesus.

I want to share with you a poem the Lord helped me to write and think about called "Bible Academy II: Armor of God" that I wrote for a class years ago.

BIBLE ACADEMY II: ARMOR OF GOD
By Ramesh C. Reddy

Bible Academy is students
submitting to the Lord,
Where the Lord lightens
students souls
like lively sun
shines on foggy, frosty dull day.
 

Bible Academy is students
acquiring Armor of God,
Where Armor of God
avenges sinister Satan
like cops clothing
counterattacks crooked criminals.

Bible Academy is students
using Armor of God
Where Armor of God
consists of various weapons
like strong belt, shield, and sword
that scare vicious villains.

Bible Academy is students
swinging brawny belts
Which is God's Truth
defeating devious, Devil's lies
like Kung Fu's Karate Black Belt
blast ominous offenders.
 

Bible Academy is students
wearing strong shield
Which is Faith in God
protecting against Devils doings
like cops bullet-proof vest
blocks blazing bullets of menacing mob.

Bible Academy is students
using ultimate shinny sword
Which is the Word of God
working to slaughter Satan's stronghold
like police's pistols work to
wither wicked murdering mafia.

Bible Academy is students
knowing all about searching Scriptures
Where Holy Scriptures
strengthen students souls
like cool, wintry water
tends thirsty tongue.

May you come to know, truthfully Healer is Nurturing King! Amen!

“Truthfully Healer Is Nurturing King!” (T.H.I.N.K)/”What do you think about Jesus?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you are my Author of Life, Bread of Life, Counselor, Deliverer. Everlasting Father, Friend, Great Physician, Healer, Inspiration, Justice, King of Kings, Lord of lords, Messiah, Nurture, Omnipotent One, Prince of Peace, Quickener, Redeemer, Savior, Truth, Understanding, Valor, Word, Xcitement, and the One who will take me to Zion. Thank you so much Jesus. You know what we go through in our lives. Sometimes the pain can be like a knife of fire being thrust into the heart. Yet, you know all our pain and confusion. You know when we sit or stand, when we are troubled and whatever we are facing. Please Jesus come and help us and give us your peace which will never waver in different situations of our lives. We thank you that you are a Lord of confirmation and have confirmed so many things to so many people throughout history. Confirm decisions for us and when we know it is from you, we can move on in peace knowing that peace will not waver in our lives. I need you Jesus and we all do. Thank you we can think about you based on who you really are and not what people make you out to be. Thank you for your Word. We trust in thee Oh Lord for how you provide for us. Thank you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us. We give our lives to you! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new identity in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and the times I messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. Thank you for going to the cross for me, for dying for my sins, shedding your precious blood for me, so I can me made whole. I am covered by your blood Lord! I come as I am and  accept you Jesus into my heart. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. Please live in me Jesus. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart and living in me. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. Thank you for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus through the  days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!