The Importance of Finishing Well

Akhir tahun sudah dekat. Tinggal countdown dan kita akan memasuki tahun baru 2013. Namun sebelum memasuki tahun baru, sudahkah tahun 2012 ini ditutup dan diakhiri dengan baik? Tanpa suatu closing yang baik, kita tidak akan memasuki tahun 2013 dengan baik juga. Mengakhiri dengan baik sangatlah penting. Ketika kita memasak, penting untuk mencuci sayuran, memotong bawang, memberi bumbu, namun hasil akhir masakan yang paling penting untuk dinikmati. Dalam suatu pengerjaan skripsi, penting untuk menganalisis data, namun hasil sidang yang paling menentukan.  Dalam memasuki tahun baru, penting untuk berencana dan memulai dengan baik, namun jauh lebih penting bagaimana kita mengakhirinya.

Worship the King of kings

People often think and even illustrate that The Magi worshiped the Lord Jesus when He was lying in a manger at the night of His birth, so they met the shepherds. That's totally wrong. The Bible said that The Magi came AFTER Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It might be few weeks or months later, if we consider Herod command to kill the babies under two years old. The Magi came from the east, maybe from Persia. They came with a deep knowledge of who Jesus is. They knew that Jesus is the Messiah. From their question to Herod, we know that they knew exactly that Jesus is the king of the Jews. The Israelites did not accept that Jesus is the king of the Jews, but these strangers were looking to worship Him! They were the second people who worshiped the Baby Jesus. The Bible does not record how The Magi knew by 'only' discovering the star, but even though they were so wise, I think they were chosen by God to worship the Baby Jesus. However, God must revealed about Jesus to them. We just do not know how God did it and how could The Magi believed, even seriously came to worship.

Family Restoration through the Birth of Jesus Christ

Kita tidak pernah tahu bagaimana caranya Maria memberi tahu Yusuf bahwa ia mengandung bayi dari Roh Kudus. Alkitab tidak mencatat percakapan yang terjadi di antara mereka. Kita juga tidak tahu dengan pasti apa yang mungkin Maria rasakan ketika harus memberi tahu tunangannya dengan risiko diceraikan, bahkan yang lebih mengerikan, mungkin dilempari batu sampai mati.

Sinners in the Genealogy of Jesus The Messiah

I think the biggest good news for Christmas season is reconciliation that Jesus brought. God's idea of reconciliation had been prepared even before Israel became a nation. It started by the time God called Abraham. I believe that God determined the people in the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah purposefully. These sinners below were chosen to show us how great is His love for the sinners!

Worry About Tomorrow: Financial Issue

I met a friend last week and he told me about his worry about finance. He said that a labor's wage now is about 2.2 million rupiah. A labor is not educated. My friend will have double degree in computer and mathematics but he might be paid for ONLY 2.7 million rupiah during 1.5 years of work after he graduates next year. It seems very unfair. He said, "Two point seven million rupiah for a month to live in Lippo Karawaci? That's impossible! How can I survive? For my room I have to pay 1.7 million. Then, I only have 1 million for other needs? 1 million for food, transportation, and other daily needs?? How can I live??"