“Jab tak rahega , Samosae mein Allu, tab thak rahega Bihar mein Lallu,” (till potato remains in the Samosa, till then Lallu will remain in Bihar…an apt rustic translation befitting the person…) shouted the angry supporters of Lallu Prasad Yadav, the Chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal party and Ex-Chief Minister of Bihar State (the second largest in India in terms of Lok Sabha seats) some years ago (2013 to be more precise). He cried this even as he was being whisked away by the police from the Ranchi High court after having been convicted in the infamous fodder scam. A jail sentence of five years awaited him then, however this earthy, street-smart Political maverick has since made a strong comeback both in State and National politics! Now, for the catchy afore-mentioned slogan… The uninitiated Samosa with spiced, mashed potato filling in the centre is an Indian snack relished by every Indian from “Kashmir to Kanyakumari” (the Indian equivilent of “from Dan to Beersheba” See1 Sam 3:20). Really what is in the centre makes the difference in a sandwich too, doesn’t it?
Now coming to the spiritual realm in this Series of 5 parts, I wish to focus on the subjects related to the “Centrality of the Cross” in God’s redemption plan. Firstly…
Of Cement and Conciliation…
Even though Adam, by sinking his teeth into the forbidden fruit, conveyed through his actions that he wanted to live independently of the very One who had given him life in the first place, our benevolent God has spoken all along in many different ways (seeHeb 1:1) about the reconciliation He had planned between estranged mankind (represented by Adam) and Himself. That reconciliation would come through the cross. In other words, the cross was “central” to God’s wise plan of Salvation, which would “cement” the broken relationship between Him and His prized creation, mankind.
With advancement of medical science, several startling medical truths are coming to the fore on a routine basis. One among them is that the protein, Laminin, which binds all the cells (keeping body together as one functional unit) virtually is a cross-shaped “cement”. It is as though it suggests that in God’s infinitely wise mind, the cross’s eternal purpose all along had been one of “binding” between two parties (Him and Mankind).
Prayer: Father in Heaven, we praise thank Thee for planning for us the great redemption plan. Today we are your children because your Son completed the same on the Cross 2000 years ago. We once again glorify Thee for your infinite love and wisdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries