JESUS CHRIST THE ROSE OF SHARON! OUR BELOVED SAVIOR AND LORD! OUR SOON COMING KING! OUR HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM!

A devotee prayed to God: My Lord, this city is filled with

darkness. All the people are trapped in various kinds of sins, and without

knowing You, are heading blindly towards destruction. Please command them,

the light. Let this city be brightened. The Lord asked him, Do you love

Me? In other words, the Lord revealed that if this city is to be

brightened, one should love Him.

On the day St.Paul met the Lord, he committed himself

completely to God saying, Lord, what do You want me to do? The Lord

told him, I now send you, to open the eyes of the people and to turn

them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18).

Only those who received light, can turn people from darkness to light.

The Lord who wanted to command light to the world through

St.Peter, asked him thrice, Do you love Me? He too replied, Yes,

Lord; You know that I love you. The Lord handed him the responsibility

to tend His sheep and lambs (John 21:15-17). Let us analyze how

St.Peter loved God since the Lord asked him, Do you love Me? Here are

a few instances:

Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be

made to stumble (Matt. 26:33), said Peter, expressing his resolve from

the depth of his heart. He was truly determined that whatever be the

situation, he would never leave Jesus. He said that even if all stumble,

he would never stumble. St.Paul was also certain that be it tribulation or distress or

persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword or height or depth,

whatever be the circumstances, nothing would separate him from Christ.

Through him light shone.

If we, being the light of this world, (Matt. 5:14) want light

to shine in darkness through us, we should be resolute in our belief

that we will never stumble under any circumstances. When soldiers came

with swords and clubs to capture Jesus, Peter, sensing the impending

danger to his master, drew out his sword and cut off the ear of a

soldier. He demonstrated his courage because of his zeal born out of his

love for his master. Those who love the scriptures, obey them and resist

those who forsake the scriptures (Prov. 28:4). Perfect love drives out

fear (I John 4:18). As he was compelled by the love of Christ Paul

progressed resisting the evil deeds of those who were ignorant of God.

He disregarded the opposition. He declared Christ with zeal in spirit

and exulted, To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21).

People came from darkness into light.

As Peter was fishing and standing in his boat along with other

disciples, the Lord was seen on the shore. The moment he came to know

it was the Lord who stood on the shore, he wrapped an outer garment

around him(for he had taken it off) and jumped into the sea and hurried

to meet Him (John 21:7). He did not delay looking for an appropriate

garment to cover his nakedness. He did not hesitate to jump into the

water. He did not mind the 200 cubits (about 90 meters) of distance

between them. His sole aim was to reach God. In this way, he expressed

his love for the Lord.

The holy service is performed once a week to worship the Lord in

the assembly of the children of God. Though being aware that it is

Gods will that we utilize this opportunity to share His love, many take

recourse to a variety of excuses such as the long distance, travel

expenses, weather conditions etc. and preferring to stay at home rather

than attending the service sing later, I love my Lord Jesus.They are

hypocrites. How can light shine through such people? Beloved, let us

love Jesus like a child rushing towards his father on seeing him. We can

then give light.

To give food to His disciples, Jesus said to them, Bring some

of the fish you have just caught (John 21:10). Though many were around,

Peter who loved Jesus was the first to respond. He climbed aboard the

boat and dragged the net ashore which was full of 153 big fish (John 21:11).

This way he expressed his meek and humble love by remaining in the

forefront in performing the service to the Lord.

If we strive to be ahead of others in involving ourselves in

matters relating to the Lord and act without growing weary, we will give

light to many who remain in darkness. It will also be brought to light

that we love Jesus Christ. You are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first

love (Rev. 2:4)

May Lord Jesus Christ bless you!

Yours in the Lord's service,

Chief Pastor N.Lazar

New Jerusalem Church,

Bombay, India.