Meditate on the Word - For a Decent and Investigative Christianity (EN)

 Pr. Alexandre Alves When Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for the Passover, He instructed them to find a man carrying a jar of water who would lead them to a furnished upper room (Luke 22:10-12). This was no ordinary place—it was a space already prepared, a place of divine appointment. The upper room represents more than just a physical location; it symbolizes a spiritual elevation, a call to a deeper level of intimacy with God. A Prepared Space for a Divine Encounter The upper room was not empty or incomplete—it was furnished, ready to receive Jesus and His disciples. This detail is significant. It reminds us that when God calls us, He has already prepared the way. Often, we hesitate to step forward because we cannot see the full picture, but Jesus shows us that He is ahead of us, orchestrating every detail. Like Peter and John, we are called to obey even when we don’t fully understand. Trusting God means walking in faith, believing that what He has prepared is greater than w...

In the Christian journey, we all face moments of pain, exhaustion, and deep wounds—whether emotional, spiritual, or even physical. As soldiers of the Kingdom, we are in a continuous battle, and at times, the weight of these struggles can cause us to stumble. Just as in the armed forces, when a recruit becomes a soldier, there is a symbolic exchange of headgear, representing their readiness, competence, and belonging to the corps. In God's Kingdom, this spiritual transition also requires healing, restoration, and a renewal of purpose. What should we do when our wounds leave us unable to move forward? The answer lies in God’s restoring love and the mission of the Body of Christ to never leave behind a "wounded soldier." Acknowledging the Wounds The first step to healing is recognizing the wounds and bringing them into the light of God's presence. Often, we force ourselves to appear strong, ignoring our pain and vulnerabilities. However, God does not expect us to carry t...

 The book of Song of Songs, also known as Song of Solomon, is one of the most beautiful poetic books of the Bible, written by Solomon. It portrays the love between the groom and the bride, symbolizing the deep relationship between Christ and His Church. Besides being a sublime expression of human love, Song of Songs also carries prophetic and spiritual significance that invites us to reflect more deeply on our relationship with God. "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine." (Song of Songs 1:2, NIV) The love described in Song of Songs is compared to wine, a symbol of celebration and joy. However, Solomon takes us beyond this earthly comparison, pointing to a love that is essentially superior and more fulfilling. This love reflects the essence of the first and greatest commandment that Jesus mentions in Matthew 22:37-38: "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your min...