#elishia – Serambi Jeffry Sudirgo

JOY TO THE WORLD

One day a young boy told his father, “Daddy I am so bored with the church song. Too far behind the times and so slow”. His father answered him, “If you think you can write a better song then why don’t you?” The boy went to his room and wrote his first hymn, “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” Later in 1690 he wrote the song, “Joy To The World” based on Psalm 98 and Luke 1:46-55. This boy was the famous songwriter Isaac Watts.

JOY TO THE WORLD! That’s the same words when the Angel came to the shepherd not far away from Bethlehem, he said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Why “JOY”? Why must the world be joyful for Christmas? Christmas is not about Santa claus, candy, cake, or glamorous lights.

The word “afraid” in this verse came from the Greek translation phobeistei, meaning an extreme or irrational fear. In the Hebrew translation Orthodox Jewish Bible the word pachad mean terror. Too many times we hear bad news from the world: war, conflict, sickness, disaster, terrorism. All of these make us afraid.

But, The Angel of the Lord came not with some bad news! Not just nice news, not just happy news. The word Good News in hebrew, simcha means peace, love, friendly, and the source of joy. The Angel came with GOOD NEWS about Jesus Christ the Savior will come to the world!

Jesus Christ is The One whom the world needs most today. He created heaven and earth. He created human beings. He is the one who can make the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and He is the only one who can heal every disease and weakness.

When we consider all of what Jesus has already done and what He can do, we are full with joy of and thankfulness. Mary was filled with joy and she was ready to serve God. A huge number army of Angels from heaven was filled with joy and praise for the Lord. The Shepherds filled with joy, worshiped Jesus and told Good News to people around them. If our hearts truly believe in Jesus Christ and are filled with joy, let us use our life to glorify Him wherever we are, whatever we do.

You and I have the same opportunity to respond to what God has done in our lives and share it with people around us! May God bless you and fill you with joy. Amen.

IF OUR HEARTS TRULY BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AND ARE FILLED WITH JOY, LET US USE OUR LIFE TO GLORIFY GOD.

BABY SHARK DODODO

(I Korintus 15:33)

“Baby shark, dododo…” itulah potongan lirik sebuah lagu yang lagi tren di kalangan anak-anak termasuk Elishia, putri bungsu saya. Berhubung lagu ini diajarkan di sekolah (mungkin untuk mengasah kemampuan dasar bahasa Inggris anak) dan dinyanyikan terus menerus oleh Elishia maka saya jadi penasaran dan ikut menyimak hingga akhirnya terngiang dalam kepala. Lagu ini disajikan dengan susunan kalimat sederhana yaitu tentang keluarga ikan Hiu yang sedang berburu. Menurut saya tidak ada hal yang khusus dan spesial dari lagu ini, namun karena dinyanyikan berulang-ulang maka menjadi populer. Dalam hati saya tersenyum sambil bergumam, “Betapa mudahnya anak mempengaruhi orang tua”.

Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa hidup kita ini dipengaruhi oleh informasi di sekitar kita. Entah orang muda atau pun orang tua, pergaulan buruk akan merusakkan kebiasaan baik. Paulus mengingatkan jemaat di kota Korintus pada waktu itu agar waspada dengan gaya hidup duniawi dengan pikiran yang sia-sia. Ada kebangkitan hidup dan harapan sorgawi bagi orang percaya yang hidup dalam Kristus Yesus. Kerja keras umat percaya di dalam persekutuan dengan Tuhan tidak akan pernah sia-sia oleh sebab itu sangat penting untuk tidak menodai kerja keras di dalam Tuhan dengan pergaulan buruk.

Kalau anak-anak saja dapat dengan mudahnya mempengaruhi orang tua, apalagi generasi anak-anak muda tentu juga gampang dipengaruhi oleh banyak hal. Berkaca dari Firman Tuhan ada pertanyaan yang perlu dipertimbangkan yakni : Tipe kawan kawan seperti apa yang di sekeliling kita? Orang-orang yang suka berkata kotor? Humor jorok? Atau yang mengasihi Tuhan dan berusaha melakukan Firman itu siang dan malam? Kiranya Tuhan menolong setiap kita. Amin.

PERGAULAN BURUK MERUSAKKAN KEBIASAAN BAIK