JIL Batangas

The Almond Branch of Hope

by Bro. Eddie Villanueva

“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see?
And I said, I see a branch of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me,
You have seen well: for I am ready to perform My word” Jeremiah 1:11-12

Resurrection always brings a message of hope. There is nothing more hope-boosting than knowing that the dead, yes the DEAD, may rise again!

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the single redemptive event that perfected mankind’s salvation and deliverance from sin, at the same time proving that faith in Him that holds the indisputable power over death is not useless.

Jesus, the Son of God, had to taste death to give His sinless life as a sacrifice for all the transgressions of mankind (Isaiah 53: 3-6; Hebrews 2:9). When He cried out on the cross: “It is finished!” (John 19:30) every requirement for the forgiveness of the sin of every man, under the Law and the Commandments, was satisfied! Every work needed to be done to set man free from the dominion of the evil one was indeed finished!

The Lord Jesus was the Lamb of God who, by His sacrifice on the Cross, had taken away the sins of the world. The Heavenly Father proved to all that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was accepted as payment for man’s debt when He raised Him from the dead after three days of being in the grave. Because of the resurrection, those who have received Jesus as their Savior and Lord are now assured of eternal life, and just like Him, will also experience their own bodily resurrection (I Corinthians 15:12-22)!

The resurrection was also the message of God to Israel in the time of the prophets. Every time the Israelites were chastised by God because of their collective sin and backsliding from their covenant with God, the Lord raised up prophets to bring His message of restoration to their nation. One such prophet was Jeremiah.

In the beginning of God’s call to Jeremiah, the young prophet, the Lord showed him a vision. It was the vision of an almond branch (Jeremiah1:10-12). The almond tree in Israel is the very first tree that awakens to life after the long winter season. It is the very first tree that would burst forth with beautiful white flowers in the early spring while the rest of the trees are still barren and sleeping. It is a symbol of the powerful phenomenon: The Resurrection!

Christ Bridged the Gap Between Belief and Reality

by Sis. Dory Villanueva

Is it not disturbing when what you believe in does not match the way you live? But it is not disturbing at all if you are not even aware of it. Like when you say you believe in God and yet it is as clear as the sunshine that you are living in the dark. Like also when you say life is beautiful and yet misfortunes keep pouring on your lap. Indeed, there is a wide gap between belief and reality.

But that is not something new. People regardless of color, race, nationality, religious beliefs, social standing, and economic status suffer the same fate. Everyone has his own share of confusion and hardship in this perplexing world. Many, if not all, try to change the way they live, for the better.

They desire to be freed from life’s woes. People born in poor families want to attain financial freedom. Though not all will be able to get it, many will keep striving to get this freedom at any cost. And it may really be so costly, like long separation from loved ones, longer hours spent at work, doing multiple jobs, lack of rest or sleep, worry and anxiety, and among others.

Moreover, it is disheartening to know the fact that the world economy will not remain as stable as we want it to be. And although overseas work or migration is a strategy that most people take advantage of in finding a greener pasture, it does not follow that those countries that seem to be wealthy today will still be as wealthy as they used to be. As it seems, every thing on earth is subject to change and therefore will not guarantee genuine security and freedom.

People also put their faith in what their government or political leaders can do to improve their means of living, yet it seems to be futile as well. Most of those in power and in authority had failed to fulfill their promises to the people from whom they owe so much. Their moral corruption and political greed caused the people they govern too much suffering specifically the gargantuan poverty.

Those who are locked up in a failed or distressing relationship may have wanted for so long to get away from it and find somebody who they think will make their lives happier. But not all succeed. Oftentimes, they reach the end of their lives without having done what is supposed to be done, or making right the wrong. That is why society has turned even more than chaotic.