Crucifixion day Special
We preach the Crucified Lord
The image above was the picture that used to attract me. I
used to read but never understand it. The wooden cross, the thorny crown, and
the piece of cloth. The quote ends with an extent of love and finally death.
The answer was very simple: “This much”. In Hinduism, we have many mythological
stories that teach about dharma and karma. We have deities on basis of choices,
days, months, organs, works, passion, and so on. We have numerous incarnations
of gods to accomplish a particular mission and restore the dharma. I had
reverence for Buddha along with Hindu gods but Jesus was a kind of unusual
focus for me. Someone who dies to save others.
I might not be wrong if I say Hinduism offers lots of
burdens. Of course, we can struggle and continue with ways of devotion, karma,
and knowledge that the Bhagavad Gita[1] teaches. However, we
cannot have assurance and certainty of our future. Generally, every Hindu agrees
on karma and reincarnation. These are analogous to our Fundamental doctrines.[2] They pay attention to
selfless works, rituals, rites, mythological teachings, meditation, yoga, and
many other practices. Their ultimate goal is to unite with Brahman. They may
have huge differences in their beliefs but they all struggle to reach
enlightenment and ultimate destination of unity with the Brahman. Ways of
devotion, karma, and knowledge are major parameters to achieve the goal.
Christianity, on the other hand, offers Jesus. No laws to
follow, no rituals to practice, no mythological learning, and no meditation for
sake of attainment of moksha. Salvation has been offered to us by God’s
grace and needs to be received through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). The greatest
burden that we can observe in Hinduism is eliminated in Christianity. Salvation
is gifted to us freely because Jesus himself paid its ultimate price. I think a
Hindu can realize how difficult it is to earn moksha. They can better realize
the value of salvation. Jesus had only one mission that was for one time and
forever. He didn’t come to punish the wicked and protect the righteous.[3] He came to us because none
were righteous. We couldn’t work good enough to fit ourselves as an eligible
candidate in God’s justification.[4] There was a need for
someone who could save all of us from God’s judgment. We are blessed that God
made the provision of Savior (Genesis 3:15, 1 Peter 1:20). He never left us in
despair and helpless situation.[5]
The goal of Hinduism seems to make Man god[6] with help of meditation
and yoga.[7] The goal of Christ is to
make us sons of God which is our restored status (John 1:12; Romans 8:19). His
sacrifice is the cornerstone of our faith. In Gal. 6:14 and 1 Cor. 1:31, Paul
also says let us not boast in anything except the crucified Lord. The picture
above makes me remind of my childhood when I was a Hindu. Today we have joyful
life in Christ even in midst of struggle. Once I was a slave of rituals and mythology[8] (Romans 7) but today, I am
the slave of righteousness (Romans 6:15-23). After my conversion, I used to
preach crucifixion as a core message to my Hindu relatives and friends. I had
no greatest joy in anything compared to preaching the crucified Lord. It seems too
general for people in our society as if Jesus lost. That was alleged foreground
but the background is glorious as he got victory over the power of darkness
(Col. 2:15).
Let us not celebrate Crucifixion day as a festival but as a
victory. Jesus restored our relationship with God by shedding his blood. Other
people preach mythology and mighty works of their deities but we preach the
crucified Lord (1 Cor. 1:23-30) and that is our greatest joy.
Thank you!
Peer reviewed by brother Nitish Singh, Delhi Chapter Director at Reasonablefaith, 316_apologetic instagram page and some of my own friends in theological circle.
[1] It
is requested to read at least the Bhagavad Gita to understand heart of
Hinduism.
[2]
Theological Topics: Old Testament and New Testament Articles (English –
Nepali), 2nd Edition, January, 2018, Pg. 10, 11
[3]
Bhagavad Gita 4:7, 8
[4] Read
a book by Steve Cioccolanti, From Buddha to Jesus: An Insider's View of
Buddhism and Christianity
[5]
Elder PA Thomas, God’s eternal plan for man and the world, published on September
9, 2019 in Articles, Bible Study & Teaching, https://nepalchurch.com/19428/gods-eternal-plan-for-man-and-the-world/,
accessed on 3/26/2022, 9.19 pm
[6]
The mythology of recognizing oneness
with the Brahman. Read about philosophies in https://apologeticsimpact.blogspot.com/2021/01/gospel-to-hindu-world-episode-4.html,
accessed on 3/26/2022, 9.29 pm
[7] https://apologeticsimpact.blogspot.com/2021/04/gospel-to-hindu-world-episode-8.html,
accessed on 3/26/2022, 9.24 pm
[8] At
this point, I’m trying to say that a Hindu environment gave lots of mythological
thoughts. It was about life, death, ethics, and survival. It was slavery to
ideology and practical implementation in life. Everything we did was the
journey to reach moksha. Christianity also has its mythology, teaching, and
ethics. However, we first encounter our redemption through faith in Christ. The
saving knowledge is the gospel, realization of our sinful state, need of a
Savior, repentance, and acceptance. When we initially received the salvation
offered, we may not have excellent theological knowledge. We start gaining this
for the rest of our life. Today, it is evident that many theological doctrines
are in a phase of revision. Even the fundamental doctrines suffered ages to
settle down as rigid throughout the church history. Our salvation is not based
on extensive theological knowledge and ethics otherwise every people would
require completion of their theological degree and finally accept Christ.
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