First Jesus washed the feet of his apostles to show them that they work for the people and should work in humility and show humbleness for he says the servant is no greater than his master and a student than his teacher.
"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13: 12-17
Then Jesus ordered the holy mystery if the Communion/ Eucharist in this order.
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Mathew 26:26-29
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." Matthew 26:47-56
"And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
"19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." John 15:19
If the bible clearly tells us we DO NOT belong to this world why do we try harder to be part of the world than be part of the eternal City that is Heavenly Jerusalem. Today I saw a video that blew me away; an English man who in his previous life worked as a DJ(a musician type) now serves as a Deacon in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, he is studying and working on some translation such as; Tselot Zewtre, Melkea Maryam and Melkea Eyesus all prayer books essential in the Orthodox Church. In his interview he states that he came to Ethiopia as a Rastafarian as he followed the movement for some times and even had dreadlocks which is an integral part of Rastafarianism (who believe King Haile Selassie is the savior). He cut his hair also shaved it bold and burnt the remains and says he did it according to the book of numbers.
one thing that struck me in the video is how far we have become detached from our culture and religion. when the presenter asked the Deacon what his baptismal given name was, he replied "yes, i have one it is Tesfa Mikael". As we all know that our Baptismal Ge'ez names of both Ethiopian and Eritrean are not used everyday nor are they encouraged simply because it is not popular. In fact, the name Tesfa Mikeal mean the hope of Saint Mikeal , like many different name we are not encouraged to use in society such as female Baptismal name starting Welete meaning 'the daughter of' and followed by name of the given celebrated day; for example a girl baptized on Trinity would be 'welete Silassie ' meaning daughter of the Trinity or similarly Welde Silassie means Son of the Trinity.
It is mainly our ignorant to the meaning of our religion and the mystery behind it which makes us become shy or embarrassed by our very own culture and religion. If we knew exactly why things are done from cultural to religious perspective we would be proud and could even teach our non- religious friends about the beauty of our culture instead of conforming to their culture and believes. Nowadays, we see more and more Ethiopian or Eritrean people taking the cultural forms of the west it is even taking over our countries. My recent visit to Eritrea showed me that the is a rise in crime and I felt unsafe walking late at home as I've heard too many news about murder of young men and women. I felt the country had changed and it dawned on me that it is really near to the end when once a fearing country can change it's ways. I have also recently heard that there is a Homosexual community in Ethiopia which is very shocking to hear as Ethiopia is a very religious country but as the population increase and the country becomes more westernized the some people are actually being pushed into something they do not want to do simply because of poverty.(of the people involved not the whole country)
i leave you with this quotes for the day
"In the same way, people who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.'" Mathew 20:16
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Mathew 25 :10-13
As I browse the many YouTube videos about various conspiracies out there, I stop and think what is the world coming into? But nevertheless the world has always been run by evil spirits as we read in the bible
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."Job 1:7
I know Satan is here to lead us into temptation and is around us in every corners and turns trying to Tremble us from our daily lives. But why do I find it hard to believe when I am constantly being told music is evil or dancing is evil, there must be a reason for it! Right ?!From what I have seen over the years music itself has become an instrument of Satan whether we like it or not. It is the very thing that Satan uses to deter our minds from doing good and follow the subliminal messages of those so called 'pop Idols'. There's a reason why they're called that and that is because they are idolized just as the ancient people of Sodom and Gomorrah made false idol , we read in the Old Testament God gives us a specific order
' Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.' Levi 19:4.
Are we so weak that we have no control over who to follow and to separate from sinful and righteous ways. The bible has clear instructions of how to lead our lives,
" Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21.
So why then do we continue to listen music that is leading or rather brainwashing us and our children to do this evil lust of the flesh? I am sure in every song that is released by this so called 'Pop Idols' there is a line that will insinuate Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. In fact I can think of a certain singer called Lady Gaga who so freely insights this types of topics in her songs, one in particular 'I love Judas' realised timely in A week before Easter in 2011.
(is this what we want our children to look like!)
Moreover, here are some of the few popular singer young people listen to nowadays: singer such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Ki$ha, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and the father of all pop evil Jay Z( who doesn't even have respect for his wife as present in so many of his/her music video shows vulgarity throughout). Yet even when we know deep inside that the way Britney or Beyoncé Dress is too clad and forgive my French a little too Jezebelesque why then do we adore to dress,look and think like them as they lead us easily in to a lifestyle that God does not want us to live. Ladies the lords know what you should look think and dress like ; it says it so clear in the bible
'In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;' 1 Timothy 2:9.
So what are we waiting to see next more than these spread of vulgarity in our society, when will we change and praise The one and only True God Jesus Christ who will come to judge us in the end. I pray that you chance your way and serve The Lord for his coming is near look around you and think twice before you do something that will change your life for the worse.
I leave you with this verses from:
" But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20-22
"Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthian 6:8-11
A man claiming to be Jesus is gaining followers and causing concern among cult experts in Australia.
Former IT specialist Alan John Miller, or AJ as he prefers to be known, runs a religious movement known as the Divine Truth from his home near the small town of Kingaroy in the state of Queensland.
Mr Miller claims that not only is he Christ, but his partner, Australian Mary Luck, is in fact Mary Magdalene, who according to the Bible was present at the crucifixion.
He told Sky News: "I have very clear memories of the crucifixion, but it wasn't as harrowing for me as it was for others like Mary who was present.
"When you are one with God you are not in a state of fear, and you have quite good control over your body's sensations and the level of pain that you absorb from your body."
Mr Miller holds seminars near his home and also travels around the world teaching people how to have a personal relationship with God, often by delving deep into their emotions.
Dozens of his followers are understood to have bought properties in the area to be closer to him.
After his crucifixion the Australian claims he entered the spirit world where he met Plato, Socrates, popes and presidents.
He also says he remembers performing miracles.
He said: "I did resurrect quite a number of people ... including a friend of mine Lazarus, who most people know is mentioned in the Bible."
Whilst critics dismiss his claims the seminars attract large groups of people, up to 150 a time.
British woman Louise "Luli" Faver, 39, is a former neuroscientist who has given up her career to be closer to the couple.
"It's just nice to instead of being surrounded by people who think you are nuts, to be surrounded by people who understand what you are going through and the difficulties of trying to deal with all the emotional stuff," she said.
She believes AJ Miller has helped her become happier and more fulfilled in life.
Mr Miller holds seminars near his home in Kingaroy, Queensland
George Hamel has left behind a business and his wife in California to be closer to Mr Miller and his teachings. He firmly believes Mr Miller is Jesus Christ and insists there's nothing sinister about him.
"It's natural that people form fears when they don't know about something," he said.
"Anyone who has a chance to look into it aren't going to find anything too upsetting."
Some, however, are concerned - like the Rev David Millikan, who has met AJ Miller and has studied cults for 30 years.
He said: "The danger is you'll be drawn closer and closer into his web to a point that you lose access to your social life, you spend all your money, you'll have the curses of all your family ringing in your ears and you may well lose your relationship."
But Mr Miller says he does not demand anything of those who come and listen to him speak. He claims donations are welcome, but not obligatory.
He refutes any suggestion that he forces anyone to do anything they are uncomfortable with.
"All we do is present seminars and answer people's questions. I still for the life of me can't quite understand where the cult thing has come from," he told Sky News.
He added: "There were lots of people in the first century who didn't believe I was the Messiah and were offended by what I said - and in fact I died at the hands of some of them.
"Unfortunately they didn't learn love either and my suggestion is, even if you don't believe I am Jesus, at least learn how to love."
Mary Luck admits her family have not supported her relationship with Mr Miller.
She said: "My parents became very afraid simply because AJ was saying he was Jesus publicly and by their own admission they feared for what my life would be like.
"They also had some fundamental issues with looking at emotions which is core to these teachings."
Through DVDs, the internet and in person AJ Miller is spreading his word globally.
Whether he is the Messiah or just make believe, there are plenty of people who are prepared to listen.
