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

  The greatest failure of humanity, illustrated by the life of Judas Iscariot, serves as a warning to all about the consequences of wasting opportunities and making wrong choices. The story of Judas is one of the most well-known in the Bible, not only because of his betrayal of Jesus but also because of what that betrayal symbolizes: the rejection of the greatest opportunity for transformation and salvation. Judas had everything within his reach to be an example of redemption. He was chosen by Jesus, after a night of prayer, to be one of the twelve apostles. This gave him the privilege of walking alongside Christ, hearing His teachings, witnessing miracles, and seeing the very Son of God in action. He participated in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, saw the blind receive their sight, and witnessed the dead being raised. Despite all this access to the truth, Judas did not take the opportunity to fully surrender to Jesus. His mistake was not just an isolated act of betray...

  Holiness, often understood as a state of moral and spiritual purity, is God's call to His children throughout all ages. In the face of the challenges of the modern world, where cultural values often clash with Christian principles, living a life set apart for God can seem increasingly difficult. However, the command to pursue holiness remains unchanged and is vital for those who wish to see the Lord. This article explores the meaning of holiness in light of the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of a life of separation, correction, transformation, and constant communion with God. Holiness and Separation from the World (Hebrews 12:14) The author of Hebrews challenges us with this exhortation: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Sanctification, or holiness, is the process of being set apart for God, which implies living according to His teachings and rejecting values and practices that are contrary to ...

  Luke 15:4-5 presents one of Jesus' most beautiful parables, the Good Shepherd seeking his lost sheep. In Luke 15:4-5, we read: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home." This passage illustrates the immense love and care of God for each of us. Even when we stray from the path, the Good Shepherd never gives up on us. He seeks us with patience and tenderness until He brings us back to the safety of His presence. How often, in the midst of our daily struggles, do we feel lost, like that sheep wandering away from the flock? The emptiness, the sense of loneliness, and the search for answers in the wrong places make us feel disconnected and directionless. Yet, just like the shepherd in the parable, Jesus sees us in our distress and comes to our rescue. He not only finds us, but He ca...

  Holiness, often understood as a state of moral and spiritual purity, is a call from God to His children throughout all ages. Amid the challenges of the modern world, where cultural values often clash with Christian principles, living a life set apart for God can seem increasingly difficult. However, the command to seek holiness remains unchanged and vital for those who desire to see the Lord. This article explores the meaning of holiness in light of the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of a life of separation, correction, transformation, and constant communion with God. Holiness and Separation from the World (Hebrews 12:14) The author of Hebrews challenges us with the following exhortation: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Sanctification, or holiness, is the process of being set apart for God, which implies living according to His teachings and rejecting values and practices that conflict with His w...

  A pericope is a specific section or passage of a text, particularly a sacred text, that is considered a cohesive unit of thought. In the biblical context, a pericope is a passage that can be read and understood independently, conveying a complete idea or a specific message. In Ephesians 1:3-14, we find a theologically rich pericope where the apostle Paul presents a doxology, an expression of praise to God, highlighting the spiritual blessings that believers receive in Christ. This passage is considered one of the deepest declarations of faith in the New Testament, exalting the work of the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in the salvation of believers. Main Themes and Structure Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6): Verse 3: Paul begins by praising God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ." These spiritual blessings refer to everything we receive from God through Jesus, such...

  The Parable of the Prodigal Son , found in Luke 15:11-32, is one of the most profound and well-known stories told by Jesus. It is part of a series of three parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son) that Jesus told in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes. They complained that Jesus associated with sinners and ate with them, which, in their view, was unworthy of a religious teacher. Through this parable, Jesus reveals the loving, merciful, and forgiving character of God and contrasts it with the judgmental and exclusive attitude of the religious leaders. Cultural Context In Jesus' time, Jewish society was highly patriarchal and based on a system of honor and shame. The family was the central nucleus of social life, and respect for parents, especially the father, was considered one of the most sacred commandments. Therefore, any act that dishonored the father was considered extremely serious. The Parable Jesus begins the parable by saying that ...