The Significance of Place, People and Personal Faith to Envision Faith Journey

Envisioning faith journey depends on three basic components; place, people and personal faith. How these three components effect any individual’s personal faith? To know the answer, let us turn our attention to the healing stories of two blind men found in Mark 8: 22-26 and 10: 46-52. In the first account of the healing story, Jesus Christ made a second attempt to heal the blind man of Bethsaida . Why did Jesus make second attempt? It’s seems that Jesus was unable to cure blind man in his first attempt. Mark tells us that Jesus touched his eyes again. It appears that Jesus was failed to perform a miracle in his first attempt. I think that the blind man whose faith background was based on the three above components create an atmosphere in which second attempt of Jesus was needed. There are three reasons, why did it happen?

Firstly, Bethsaida was a place where many miracles had been done but people of this city did not repent (Matthew 11:21-22). Secondly, the people of the city just came to examine Jesus. Thirdly, the personal faith of the blind man was not deep rooted. He did not come himself to receive healing rather he was brought by the people. He did not take an initiative to be healed. So these three factors created an atmosphere that Jesus made a second attempt to perform a miracle in Bethsaida .

Similarly, when we Journey with Christ the place, people and our personal faith lead us to envision our faith journey. In the second account where Jesus cured a blind man of Jericho named Bartimaeus, these three components made a great impact of the life of the blind man. As we aware, how God destroyed the great wall of Jericho (Jos.6), consequently, the people were become so faithful and obedient. They believed in the miracles of the God Almighty. The blind man also took an initiative to call Jesus after hearing that Jesus is going through this way.  Interestingly, people rebuked him but he continuously cried. But when Jesus heard his voice not only he stopped but healed him.

I encourage that whenever, Jesus Christ stopped and stayed in the life of any individual or community the great transformation took place in the human history. In the life of this blind man place, people and his personal faith were so important to receive healing in the first attempt of Jesus. Even though, the people were against for some time but when Jesus listened his cry and stopped those who were against turn their position and invited him to meet Jesus. Therefore, we can say that in a believer’s life place, people, his/ her personal faith and relationship with God always make a difference.

 We as a people of God, the challenge in front of us is, are we able to build our own faith and relationship with God that depends on these three components? Are our visions deep rooted in the right understanding of gospel? How do the place, people and our personal faith affect our Journey with Christ?  Journey with Christ demands our careful attention towards the context in which we live, and a healthy understanding to know our fellow being. As a community coming from the diverse backgrounds our challenge is to become a channel of learning from others and upholding each other in the Journey with Christ.

Ashok Kumar Ram Rana

 (B.D.III)

Theological Education of the people of God

Theological Education

of the people of God

God chose us and then train us in theology

jeremiah 1:4-10

God Chose Jeremiah when he was in Womb , Jeremiah was not sure of this call,  he said he cant speak and he is too young  . But He humbled himself and God chose him to do his great work.

Exodus 3:11

 Moses asks the same question who he is that he should go to pharaoh . But he humbled himself to Gods command and did his great work.

Amos 7:14  Amos says  he is not a prophet nor son of prophet and he is shepherd . But God chose Him .

Ephisians 4:7-11 God wants us to be Apostles , Prophets , Evangelist  , Pastor  and Teacher .

God has chosen everyone of us  and we need to understand what is our identity in front of God by humbling ourselves to his will. We need to get over the earthly identity
( of pride and differences ) and understand what god has appointed us for in truth .

Testemonials1 :

    Once Pastor was in a five star Hotel and he had to accommodate for 7 days with another person . When he entered the hotel room the person was  not there . but his identity was there and he was principal of Madras Christian College , so pastor was feeling little awkward to have a big man to be his room mate .

   Pastor after freshening up went out , but when he came back he saw his dirty cloths and Socks were not there. He thought may be caretakers do this in five star hotel.  When he introduced to him he told him he is just a teacher . And Later he realized that it was that man who cleaned his dirty cloths . After so much Achievement the principle of MCC chose to be having not the identity of the  earth ( of pride )  but chose to be a Teacher .

Testemonials2:

While Pastor was travelling on train which he booked to ticket very early to have window sheet on chair car . When the train arrived for boarding he found there there was a father and his daughter sitting . He requested them to move as it was his seat .

   Later when the train started it was very crowded and he saw there was one lady carrying a baby and the kid was crying continuously may be of hunger .  He requested the fellow neighbours to adjust so that they can accommodate her in their seat . But the father and daughter refused to do that . So pastor Got up and let the lady have his seat .It was 6 hours before pastor would got his seat back . 4 Hours after the journey the father asked pastor to adjust his seat with them . Later he asked him If He a “Christian” .

  This way pastors identity  was presented in front of other travellers  .During that time many approached pastor for prayers.  A act of evangelism . God has chosen us to be , Prophets , Evangelist  , Pastor  and Teacher . Praise the Lord .