CQ Corner

2nd Quarter, 2008

The “CQ” in CQ Corner stands for Collegiate Quarterly, which is published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church for and by young adults. The CQ Corner is a place where our writers personally respond to weekly lessons from the Sabbath School quarterly. For more information about the CQ lessons please visit: CQ Bible Study.

This quarter we are studying: “The Wonder of Jesus” Please feel free to check back each Friday for a new post on each week’s topic. Your comments are welcome below as well.

Lesson 7: The Puzzle of His Conduct (Matt 11:19)

By Javits Rajendran

I have been captivated, angered, and equally puzzled by the so called exponential preachers of our times. The new ideologies, creative communication, and the tailor fitted sermons are, if not always, appreciated and applauded for the sound reasoning it has to the ever hungry, modernizing young adult mind.

But these – preachers and their methodologies sometimes make me question if -‘That was the right way to do things?’ Jesus was one such unconventional leader. I wonder if the Pharisees exclaimed, ‘Ah, Jesus finally committed a sin’, ‘Aha we finally can sue Him and even better put him to trail for this and take him to the gallows’. When I get angry with my spiritual leaders I sometimes wonder if I am being one such Pharisee. Is my spiritual leader allowed to do just about anything? I don’t think so. But Matthew 11:19 says, “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” I cannot not judge based on the fact that a religious leader does not do what I would normally do. Instead, I need to look at the results of the leader’s actions.

Jesus is compassionate, we love that. Jesus is fearless unto death and yes we need a savior like that, we dig that! A super hero! But Jesus is angered. Aha! Now we start worrying. Somehow the idea of an angry God does not click with us. Is just doesn’t seem right! Jesus Christ angry with the little children? (Matthew 11:16-17) Oh then we have the pigs. How could he let those demons’ get into a pig?

I like how the Message bible paraphrases Isaiah 64:4

‘Since before time began
no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
who works for those who wait for him’

Yes the answer is in our questions. We are refusing God to treat us like adults. We don’t want to grow up. And maybe it is my ‘pig’ and your ‘pig’ that’s being drowned today because of Jesus or because of your spiritual leader. We do not know if the rules and regulations imposed by new ideologies and preachers are right, but the Bible for a fact tells us that (Deuteronomy 4:2) it is just as wrong to add rules God has not required, as it is to teach you can ignore the rules which God has required. They both arrogate God.

We cannot simply assume why, or who, or how the God of the celestial skies does things a certain way. But we surely have the assurance that He is willing to stand by your side and help you, if or not you understand his unique ways.

Lesson 6: The Challenge of His Sayings (John 7:46)

By Praveen Jones Singalla

One of the most common characteristic among all living beings is the instinct to react right away when challenged about something about them. This is nothing unusual or rare to find. As a matter of fact, we can see that this natural instinct existed with our great, great, super great grandparents (Adam & Eve). When they were questioned and challenged to face the truth of their sins, the very first reaction was to justify their action and then play the ‘Blame Game.’ The world has changed since then, so many advancements in terms of technology, transportation, food etc., but one thing that existed even when Jesus was among us and that is still prevailing is the same instinct to react when challenged about anything that pertains to our inner being. One of the main reasons of this kind of behavior is merely because of the fact that, we as weak human beings find it difficult to humble ourselves in order to accept any kind of criticism, as they turn out to be something that is against our thoughts and lifestyle.

When Jesus walked among us on this earth, the people then faced the same issue that we are facing in today’s world and that is the problem of being challenged by His word (The EVERLASTING TRUTH). Every time Jesus mentioned something in reference to a healthy spiritual lifestyle to the people of that time, it always turned out to be some kind of harsh statements that makes no sense especially for the highly educated spiritual teachers (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.). The reason behind all those misunderstandings was that, they were filled with pride and not humble enough to be able to face the reality and were not ready to just accept the truth and act upon it. Some of the instances given in the lesson deals with Marital Issues, Forgiveness, Wealth, Family & perfecting our lifestyles. To put it in simple terms, all that Jesus mentioned were things for us to think about and react accordingly. But most of the times people hung up on the literal words spoken by Jesus rather than taking into consideration the whole context of the subject He was trying to teach us.

We tend most of the time to justify our wrong deeds by good reasons, but the fact is that, when Jesus Christ called something wrong, no matter how good our reasons can be, it’s still plainly wrong. Jesus always challenged us humans to try something different in our lives, like shifting our focus from worldly pleasures to Heavenly treasures, from a judgmental perspective of others to a subjective perspective of humbling ourselves, but it’s always been a struggle.

The bottom line is that, we sometimes forget the fact that Jesus is our Lord and savior and everything he says or said is always for our benefit. So it’s our duty to not misunderstand His words, but humble ourselves, analyze everything that He says and then act upon it. It might be our nature to react in the wrong way, but Jesus Christ can create a reverse reaction, if we just give in and ask Him for the wisdom and knowledge to understand His words and act accordingly.

Question is…would you like to be like one of those Pharisees who misunderstood everything, or a simple and humble person who understood the overall context of the truth?

Lesson 5: The Wonder of His Works (Matt. 9:36)

By Jillian Fortin

Verses to Flag:

Matthew 4:24

James 4:2

John 4:48

The word “miracle” is not foreign to our vocabulary. We hear bits and pieces of it everywhere—from under-the-breath utterings such as “it’ll take a miracle for me to pass this class” to titles of movies (topics varying from Christmas to ice sports).

One Friday night, a discussion was brought up during my home church’s sunset vespers. Someone brought up the point that he had not seen a miracle that rivaled those of Biblical standards. Gone were the days of parting waters, lame men walking and so forth. What was the explanation for this?

It all comes back to how we are defining the word “miracle.” My good friends at dictionary.com define the word with the following definitions:

mir·a·cle Pronunciation [mir-uh-kuhl]

–noun

1. an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.

2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.

3. a wonder; marvel.

4. a wonderful or surpassing example of some quality: a miracle of modern acoustics.

This week’s lesson brings forth several great points:

There are different types of miracles.

Sunday’s lesson talks about the different types of miracles Jesus performed while He was here on earth. The categories outlined in Sunday’s lesson include practical miracles, marvelous miracles, unsettling miracles and restoring miracles. Some questions you might want to ask yourself, personally, include “What was the purpose of each category of miracles?” and “What do these sort of miracles mean to me today?” Sure, the nature of these miracles may not be the same, given the times and surroundings, but consider their applications; the times may be more alike than you think!

Strive for the relationship, not the miracle. (Note: you may get more than you ask for!)

The lessons for last Sabbath and Wednesday both discuss the importance of prioritizing what really is important. Cast your cares at the feet of Christ because you yearn for Him, not because you expect something in return. Pray to Him each night because you want to talk to your Best Friend, not because you need for things to go your way.

Have faith that God is still performing miracles (and might be performing them through you!)

In the relationships that we build with Christ come surprising results. My parents once brought back some strange bulbs after a trip to Hawaii. I did not know what sort of blooms would emerge after planting them, nor did I have any clue what to expect. However, I knew that as long as I planted them and nurtured them regularly, I could expect something beautiful.

In a similar way, we cannot foretell what sort of plans God has in the pipeline for us. This week’s lesson reminds us that as long as we keeps our hearts close to His and go on His errands, we can expect something beautiful to happen to each and every one of his disciples.

Lesson 4: The Wisdom of His Teachings (Mark 1:22)

By Divya Mathew

Thinkers, teachers, and sages of old have left us their share of “wisdom” in various forms:

· Confucius emphasized filial responsibility.

· Plato delved into knowledge as justified true belief.

· Siddhartha Gautama Buddha outlined an eight-fold path that could end human suffering.

· Karl Marx dreamed of a utopian society.

All these men have been wise in their own right. But what sets Jesus Christ apart amidst the long line of the world’s teachers? After all, didn’t he echo the same old themes of “truth, love, and peace for all”?

Let us briefly explore some of Christ’s teachings to see where He fits in.

A study of His most famous sermon – the Sermon on the Mount (See Matthew 5), underscores His regard for the downtrodden, the suffering, and the “underdog” of society. The poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, the merciful, the insulted, the persecuted, the peacemakers – He calls them “blessed” and promises a heavenly reward. Some current historians dismiss these teachings – the Beatitudes, as merely an appeal to the downtrodden masses of Christ’s time. However, not all of Jesus’ teachings attracted masses. Some were rather tough pills to swallow.

The idea of forgiving and loving one’s worst enemy was not always appealing. Perhaps, it was easy to forgive the classmate who stole your favorite eraser in kindergarten. But to forgive as Christ forgave is another story. To forgive like Christ is to be able to withstand the worst forms of abuse – physical, mental, emotional, sexual, spiritual – and still say “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Christ’s forgiveness was real but it was not cheap. It came at the high price of the cross. On the cross were all sins forgiven.

Indeed, all His other teachings of truth, love, and peace come into sharp focus in light of the cross. On the cross lay Truth personified (“I am the… Truth” John 14:6). On the cross was uplifted the epitome of love. Greater love has no one than this. And through the cross we are guaranteed the peace that passes all understanding. Christ’s declaration of “truth, love, and peace for all” is solidified through His sacrifice on the cross – a symbol of His grace and forgiveness.

The wisdom of His teachings is ultimately linked to who He was. The grand climax of our exploration of His teachings is reached when we behold His grace on the cross and realize that Christ does not “fit in” with the world’s teachers. Then, like the centurion, we realize the source of His teachings – His identity:

“Truly, this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Therein lies the wisdom of His teachings.

Lesson 3: The Reality of His Humanity (John 1:14)

By Kemi Ola

H eaven has a city. This city has 12 walls. These walls have 12 foundations. These foundations are of jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth and amethyst. Did I mention the gates of solid pearls or the main street of pure gold? The structural majesty of the city doesn’t even come close to describing the glory of heaven. Understanding Jesus’ humanity without considering our frailty is impossible. You see Man is bound by time, and shackled by mortality. We are prisoners of the flesh and are conceived in sin. We can only be in one place at a time. In order to become human Christ had to shed his immortality and omniscience, the one who was there at the conception of time, left it all behind. We find ourselves arguing and trying to philosophize how he could be wholly human and wholly divine, we try and rationalize and theologize our findings and contemplate how they affect humanity today. But I’m blown away because it all comes down to love.

To save man, to redeem us from our sins, to restore that which was lost in the garden of Eden he had to leave it all behind. There was no way for that glory to be present on this earth. How could he bridge the two worlds? Love. The love of His Father and the love that He had for us connects us. And so you can boldly approach the throne of grace because the Son of God came to earth, suffered as we might suffer, experiencing all that makes the human race unique because He loves YOU.

Lesson 2: The Mystery of His Deity (John 1:1-3)

By Mithun Mansinghani - “Two Words”

A certain religious scholar once noted that there is a certain group of people that one could speculate are the ten most influential people in history. There exists yet another group of people, which also must be small in number, who have claimed to be God. Only one man stands in both groups: Jesus.

This week’s lesson emphasizes an important—arguably the most important—characteristic of Christ: He always was, is, and will be fully and completely God. While it may be hard to wrap your mind around the nature of His incarnation (being fully human as well) or how He relates to the Father, we can rest assured that Scripture considers Him completely divine, the One who has always existed and by whom all things were created.

The long drive from the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas to Houston always gives me plenty of time to think, to meditate. I remember last year at one point on the six hour journey, God’s statement in Exodus 3:14 and Jesus’ in John 8:58 hit me with renewed force: “I AM.” Those two words. Two syllables. In English, three letters. They only take half a moment to say, but a lifetime to contemplate. Those two words make the biggest difference in anyone’s life. If in your heart you believe and live by those two words, there is no way your life can be anywhere close to that of one who does not.

The trouble often is, however, we often don’t believe those two words. Sure, we may consistently say and think we do. But consider, how would your life be different if, at every moment, you really believed in God? What would your thoughts and actions be if at every moment you were aware of God’s omnipresence, and all the host of things that implies. By those two words we commit our lives and every action to Him, and yet we are so very corrupted, for we, for much of the time, live our lives like those two words are utterly false. So as the mesquite trees whizzed by at 70 miles per hour I considered, and urge you to do so as well, living my life, going through each moment of my day, with Jesus’ words on my heart: “I AM.”

Lesson 1: Who Was Jesus? (Matt. 16:13)

By Regie Samuel

There’s an old story I read about recently. I thought I’d share a very condensed version with you. Long ago there was a rich and wealthy family. They were the king’s family in ancient Mesopotamia, but the king was kind and allowed all to enter into his palace. The kingdom was flourishing. The lush, vast expanse of greenery, the glorious mountains that guarded the city were written about on many scrolls. But there was unrest created by a few in the land as in all kingdoms in history. Before long, there was a coup to overthrow the royal family. The new dictator, the self-proclaimed king named Warad-Sin loved his new power. He used it to achieve his own ends. He was taking young women from the city to sleep with him and harassing the servants in his palace. Spitting in their faces when he was displeased and spreading rumors about them so that he could later execute them for treason. The city learned from the new king and became very wicked itself.

Fortunately, the royal family was not harmed in the overthrow as they fled. They moved to another land, where they were safe. No citizen was allowed to leave Warad’s land. The land was in great strife. Famine, hunger, disease, and death plagued the city. Warad lived a lavish lifestyle but he did not care for his citizens.

He only had a few soldiers with him compared to Warad’s vast army but he raided the palace anyway. He fought and battled. A sword pierced his back and blood flowed from his body. He turned and saw it was Warad. Warad looked him in the eyes and stabbed him again. He cried aloud, screaming from the pain, but he was not going to give up. His soldiers heard his cry and came to where he was and they together took down Warad. But Abba’el wasn’t going to make it. He was losing too much blood. He gasped for air and said, “Tell the people that they are no longer in slavery. They are free. They no longer need to live in the way Warad had them living. Also, tell my whole family that I love them.” With that said, he died in the arms of his soldiers. (His son succeeded him.)

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, by Abraham’s descendants” – Hebrews 2:14-16

Abba’el gave his life in order to give his people freedom from Warad-Sin. Not for his own gain but because of love. I must confess to you. That story you read is not real. I made it up. Sorry for misleading you. You think Abba’el loved his people and you think he did a lot for them. Christ does that and SO MUCH MORE and He lives! But what emotions did you feel when you read that story? What emotions do you feel when you read about the story of Jesus Christ? Any difference? The story of Christ should shake us every time!

Jesus Christ came down to this earth to free you from the devil, from Satan, the author of sin, but we take this so lightly. We take Christ’s sacrifice so lightly. Why are we unable to truly appreciate the sacrifice he made? Why are we unable to understand that He, the King, really loves us? The King robed in all His glory and honor came down to this dirty earth wearing sandals. Becoming one of us. His own creation. The Creator made Himself to be one of the creations! Leaving the glory, security, wealth, and power of heaven, He came to earth. Doesn’t that amaze you? Doesn’t that make you want to get to know Him?! If we really appreciated what God did for us, we would spend every moment we could with Him? Isn’t that ridiculous? That we don’t truly appreciate Him and His sacrifice?!

I created that story to try to show a tiny glimpse of what Christ did to free us! He feels every hurt you do. Every tear that you cry, He cries. He came to free us. And because He really paid the ultimate price, we can have FREEDOM! What a God! What a Savior! What a Friend! Will you spend time with Abba, your Heavenly Father? He loves you so much. Why not see for yourself? You will not be disappointed. Appreciation for Christ’s propitiation for our sins will lead us to realize our transgression, which will lead us to confession, which will lead us to compassion for God, which will ultimately lead us to salvation. So, do you truly appreciate Christ? Who is He to you? Just another story or the REAL and LIVING Son of God?