Jesus Christ : Born to reverse the curse of sin

Lunminthang Haokip *

THE GENESIS OF His STORY: "In the beginning, God created heaven and the earth....And God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image........ (Genesis 1:1, 25, 26)". The Bible lucidly presents the basis of the axis-less creation of the earth. The beauty in form and rhythm in the flow of Scriptural words defy all styles and they are talked about in glowing terms in top literary circles.

The awesome first chapter showcasing divine omnipotence stuns the absorbed reader with landmark 'show-stoppers' of marvelous elemental formations out of nothing. Throughout human history, every new invention had the stamp of Jehovah's hand to improve our lot, and push His plan of salvation forward.

SIN BROUGHT IN HUMAN NEMESIS: IThe Almighty's creative masterpiece that He took pains to be known later as His treasured possession on earth, however, was man. In short, man was dust in breathed by deity. High-brow academicians may have their own theories of evolution. But such figments of fertile imagination counter-create problems they can't solve.

If the God-revealed contents of Genesis are false, how do we explain the nemesis sin-nature takes the depraved sinner into? Despite loud claims of transcendental knowledge of supernatural things, the world is yet to bring out a more convincing contribution to convey the contrast to the Biblical blaring that sin entered the human mind and rendered every person of woman-born a sinner.

THE DEVIL'S SUBTLE MOVE: "The thief cometh to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10: 10)." Cunning as he was, the perpetual enemy of our soul executed his wicked plot to dupe mankind through the serpent. Snakes, to this day, evoke an eerie feeling of fear and snake-friendly folks are looked at quizzically.

Himself stripped of heavenly privileges and cast out of God's abode due to his vain pride, the devil's one-point agenda was to sabotage God's long-term master-plan to raise through Adam and Eve successive generations of blessed people who will be loyal to Him alone.

Eve's brazen succumbing to the devil's craven bluffing in mankind's tragic Waterloo of Eden Garden. It was worsened by the subsequent impenitent posturing of the first parents which saddened God so much that He had to alter His original desire to offer oodles of eternal goodies to the created.

THE RECURRING CURSE: in verses 14 to 19 of Genesis chapter 3, the God of judgment pronounced curses the severity of which was handed out in 'order of demerit.' Satan was worst-hit. It had to crawl on its belly and to eat dust all of its life, is a must. Then comes Eve and womanhood. Vulnerable and susceptible, the fairer partner in couplehood suffers pain and sorrow in childbirth.

Added to this distress was the dominance of her husband. A reversal of roles in this regard invited the Maker's displeasure ever since. A whistling woman and a crowing hen shall merit divine whistle. But the curse can be vacated by a caveat. 1 Timothy 2;15, "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness and sobriety.

HARD DEAL FOR MADAM'S ADAM: Where did the square deals leave Adam? Because he didn't disobey his Creator in the period prior to the creation of Eve as his help-meet, the first man had a slight edge of an advantage over his fouling soul-mate in the Almighty's sight. But being the natural leader of the two, he was to take his 'unfair' lady to task when she had the first big bite of the forbidden fruit.

That Adam foolishly let his heart rule his head and sheepishly towed Eve's dangerous line, is a recurring curse in myriad homes whenever beings of the opposite sexes dwell together. It was the lethargy of the hubby that didn't bother to take stock of the situation. Even today, we indulgent hubbies, at times, let our better-halves save our homes from being made hellish by our 'bitter-halves!'

WEAKNESS OF THE FIRST MAN: The sobriquet of referring to the fairer species as "the better-half" can be traced back to the weakness of the first man. It was a pedestal of a syndrome gifted by the over-indulgence of man to the vanity of woman who lapped it all up. No wonder, some hubbies have to undergo the ordeal of being made cuckolds of.

But for the disciplinary lapse of the couple of Eden, succeeding generations had to pay a burdensome price. The spirit became dead, the body subjected to mortal decay, and life, an up-hill struggle. "In the sweat of the face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground. For out of it thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shall thou return(Genesis 3:19)". Dust to dust! Because sin was not taken to task in time.

THE WAGES OF SIN: Every descendant of Adam, without any exception, inherited the sin-nature. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)". As cancer eats up the cells of the body, sin erodes the soul Stenders the body to rot in hell. More than 50 different sins are listed down in the Bible in Exodus 20:3-17; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Romans 1:20-31; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; Colossians 3:5-8; Galatians 5:19-21; and Mark 7:20-23.

Ours is a holy God who has zero-tolerance for sin. His absolute hatred for it is obvious in the harsh punishment reserved for impenitent sinners. "For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)". But a caveat follows.

THE ANSWER TO THE STING OF SIN: The Bible, in a way, is a record of the Creator's total aversion to sin. Steered by the replica of Adamic dead-spirit, the human heart, in most cases becomes a hell-bound cockpit of crime heading for a resounding crash. Wicked generations saw God's iron-hand coming heavily upon them. The Almighty had no pleasure in the death of men He made in His own likeness.

He knew that no person can save himself from sin. "If I wash myself with snow-water and make my hands never clean; yet shalt Thou plunge me in the ditch (Job 9:30-31)". So, in His infinite love and mercy, He drew a fresh plan of salvation. He gave away His beloved begotten Son to save souls from sin. "….But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)".

THE BIRTH OF JESUS: The birth of a Redeemer was prophesied every now and then from 4000 B.C to the times of the Minor Prophets. Isaiah spelled out the coming big event in clearest words. "For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God…. And by His stripes we are healed… (Isaiah 9:6; 53:5)".

The deity of Jesus was eternal and it could not take birth. The promised Messiah was the human Jesus. That seekers from the lowest rung of the social ladder may identify themselves with Him, the Saviour was made to be born of humble parentage and at an obscure stable of all places. "And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manager (Luke 2:6)".

THE SINLESS WAS MADE TO BE SIN: Heaven ordered the Lord's conception through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20) because He was to take on the might of the unholy spirit head on. The first Adam, entrapped by Satanic snare, was seen doting on sin. The second Adam, tipped to bruise the serpent's head four millennia before His birth (Genesis 3:15), was ordained to be the antidote to sin.

"Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29)". His crucifixion on the cross of Calvary served as the grand finale where our Saviour stood triumphant on the victory-stand of the fierce battle for salvation that gave a smashing thrash to the prince of moral-trash. He was afflicted for our sake that believers may attain godly righteousness that can't be gained otherwise. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21)."

YULETIDE TAKEN FOR A RIDE: In commercial ads, buffets, bonanza offers, cocktail parties, pleasure-trips etc., the name of the simple son of the carpenter of Nazareth is dishonored and misused to attract people or boost up scale of sales, in the run-up to tighten one's hold over customers.

To exploit the seasonal tides to widen one's business network, Yule-tide is being taken for a ride. What a blasphemous departure from the teachings of the Messiah who said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58)".

THE FLIP SIDE OF C'MAS: Hundred years of following the blessed Faith couldn't usher in much tangible change in the attitudinal perceptions of the off-beat North-Easterners, The average 'youth with no mission' does not associate Christmas with anything weightier than booze-sessions, parties, dance, gift-exchanges, photo-shoots and a gala time when the birds and the bees swarm together.

The elderly village-folks of the back-blocks aren't freed from the shackles of levity and the compelling pulls of the palate either. Meaningful hymns are sung with no much value attached to the real worth of the wording. The spiritual ignition is so low that they hit the rock-bottom of the doldrums of social inactivity in any village where dollops of meat aren't going to be served in annual eat-togethers before, and after Christmas.

OLD HABITS DIE HARD: The topic of animated discussion in meetings on Yule-tide celebs have heated debates on menu-items. To feast or not to feast, that's the main issue. Things come to such a turn that 'some would like to postpone C'mas if the palate is not to be placated!' Provided fund position permits, usually, the majority favour non-veg feasting. Now, let's give it a serious thought.

When the birth of 'Emmanuel' is giving joy and gladness to the world, why should poor cattle tremble and suffer due to Yule-tide merriment? The Saviour promises a new kingdom to whoever submits himself to be lorded by Him. And, "The kingdom of God is not food and drinks, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

YOUTH AND CHRISTMAS: That part of the wintry celebration that best sustains juvenile enthusiasm happens in the wee hours of the 25th December years after year. On the 24th, after the evening service, the youth stay back inside the make-shift hall and sing pastoral hymnals till well-past midnight.

After grabbing some shut eyes, they put on the thickest clothing and march out as a group in the freezing chill at dawn and with voices trembling, sing Christmas carols. In between the group singing of joyous songs, they shout full-throated cries of "Joy to the world, the Lord has come..... This morn, a baby was born at Bethlehem....…".

But in many churches, all these rituals are things of the past. Church folks hear Christmas messages, hold prayer sessions to thank God for gifting His only Son and without much fanfare, observe the solemn occasion with the dignity it deserves.

JESUS CAN SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST: The Son of God left the blissful comforts of heaven and took human form to be reviled, reproached, persecuted and crucified by the very people He came to bless. He didn't count the cost because there was no other way sinners like you and me could be saved. That He can save to the uttermost ought to cheer us all up. You may crib about several lacking and ruin your moods.

The Lord offers His Gospel to console yourself for what you are and to compensate for what you are not. He was empowered to 'save the worst sinner.' Heb. 7:25, "Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost that come unto God by Him."

THE REAL SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: Kindly read Luke 2:3–16. The country shepherds were keeping watch of the flock by night. They had nothing except a few sheep which perhaps belonged to their masters. But when the glory of the Lord shone around them, they cast away their initial fears and flocks and with a sense of urgency and buoyancy, rushed to Bethlehem to meet the Infant Christ.

As done to them, the Angel is speaking to you too, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10,11)".