He came to heal the world

by Sripathy Jayamaha

In many countries and in our blessed land, Christmas is called Naththal. The world commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ 2013 years ago. It was a beginning. A beginning that will here no end. When the clock chimes the beginning of December the 25th Christians throughout the world rejoice. Churches are packed. From midnight mass till late in the evening Christians visit their respective places of worship to say 'Happy Birthday' to their redeemer.

It could be wonderful to walk down with time, when a divine message is brought to a simple Jewish girl. "Be it done to me according to your word she says little realising as to how many times she would utter these words and bow her head and recall these words from her son's conception up to His sepulchre and forty days later. She is worried. She was to wed a handsome wood craftsman. The young Joseph consoles her. He too had been visited by the some Messenger. They, then prepare to welcome Baby Jesus into this world.

Born in a simple shed, in an alien land, with a gentle carpenter of repute in attendance as a midwife, a couple of quadrupeds to give warmth Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the world and Savour was born.

Visited by the shepherds and regal wise men, His mother was elated. He was the Messiah or the Promised One as said in the Old Testament. He was not an intellectual. He was born to sacrifice His life for the first sin committed by God's first creations according to the writings of the Holy Bible. "Greater love", "He said "Than this no man has than to give his life for his friend". He gave His life for us. Our brave comrades laid down their lives for us and for our Motherland. His teachings were loathed by the elite, scribes and the Pharisees. He angered them. He disagreed with their eye for an eye, tooth for tooth policy. He humiliated them when they brought a woman in sin. Yes! The punishment in those days was by stoning. "He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone". He said Later, he found only the accused by Him. Others had quietly walked away. When they accused His disciples of breaking the Sabbath. He had asked "Which one of you will not rescue a sheep that had fallen into a well on the Sabbath. He called them the offspring of vipers, and wolves in sheep's clothing. He showed his humility when He washed the feet of His disciples and moved with and ate with persons whom the elite classed as the downtrodden in society. He ate with them.

Jesus was an angry Man when he chased vendors out of the temple. "Do not make my Father's House a den of thieves". Sadly, it happens at many places of religious worship even now. Again He said "which one of you will give your servant to eat before you eat?" It was on the dignity of labour. He spoke on child abuse "Should a child be scandalised, the person should be pushed into an abyss with a milestone round his neck.

That, was Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. He lived for thirty three years, preached for three years, strived to heal the world by his teachings, parables and deeds. Also on forgiveness and neighbourly love. Then, after a mockery of a trial, He trekked up Calvary carrying a heavy piece of timber to die for us and to shed his Blood.