First Visit to the Saints in Sitapuri

About ten years ago the saints in Sitapuri were recovered and shepherded into the church life in New Delhi. Since then, I have been hearing about these saints who speak mostly Matu but have never even once visited them despite being invited a couple of times. I guess the time was not ripe then. However, last Monday, the 11th of Nov 2024, I received a surprise and emergency call from one of the responsible brothers in the church in New Delhi to attend a Memorial Day meeting of one of the sisters who went to be with the Lord while we all were in Chandigarh for the Serving One's Training. Since many brothers were also out of station, it was fellowshipped that I could join the brothers and stand with the family during this time of grief. I did not have much time to think and consider as the matter was urgent. Though I had other work to attend to, I believe that was what I should prioritize. Therefore, I amened the fellowship. 

In fact, my Bible reading portion that morning was exactly on the death and burial of Sarah from Genesis 23. When I received the call, I also knew that the Lord had already given me the message for the meeting. The message was to preach the gospel of the God of resurrection! As most of the attendees would be saints from different Christian groups in addition to the saints in the church life. Then, I prepared and prayed for the message and it became perfectly clear what I needed to minister. Thus, I attended the meeting with two other brothers from Gurugeram and ministered on the God of resurrection. 

The footnotes of the Holy Bible Recovery Version helped me in finetuning my understanding of the entire episode on why Abraham was so particular about the burial of Sarah. All the deeds Abraham did in purchasing the burial ground and burying his beloved wife Sarah and later, he himself along with Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah were buried there too. The spiritual significance of these burials with its geographical location pointed to the future hope of the New Jerusalem. Quote from the Recover Version:

That he would give me the cave of Machpelah, which is his and which is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your midst for the possession of a burial place.  Gen. 23:9 

Machpelah Gen. 23:17; 25:9; 49:29-32; 50:13

Meaning double, doubling. Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah, three couples, were all buried in the cave of Machpelah (v. 19; 25:9; 49:29-32; 50:13). The names Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the components of the divine title of God, who is the God of resurrection (Exo. 3:15; Matt. 22:32 and note).

Gen. 23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah and which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it and all the trees that were in the field, which were in all its territory, were assured

Gen. 23:18 To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, in the presence of all who went in at the gate of his city.

Gen. 23:19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Gen. 23:20 And the field and the cave that is in it were assured to Abraham for the possession of a burial place from the children of Heth.

Note on field

Although Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac were living at Beer-sheba (21:33), Sarah died and was buried in Hebron, the place of fellowship with God. Hebron is between Beer-sheba on the south and Jerusalem on the north. Thus, Hebron was not only a place of fellowship but also a way that led to Jerusalem. In spiritual significance, the cave of Machpelah in Hebron (v. 19), in which Sarah was buried, is the gateway to the New Jerusalem.

The cave of Machpelah was at the end of a field, in which were many trees (v. 17). A field is a place where life grows; thus, it implies resurrection. Abraham did not bury Sarah in a place of death but in a place of life, a place full of resurrection (1 Cor. 15:36 and note). This indicates that Abraham believed in the God of resurrection (Rom. 4:17) and was filled with the expectation that his wife would be resurrected and would be in the city which has the foundations, the New Jerusalem. According to Abraham’s realization, Sarah’s death was not a termination but an entering into the gate of resurrection, the gateway into the expected city and the better country (Heb. 11:10, 16).

1 Thes. 4:13 But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are sleeping, that you would not grieve even as also the rest who have no hope.

1 Thes. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and arose, so also those who have fallen asleep through Jesus, God will bring with Him.

1 Thes. 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who are left remaining unto the coming of the Lord, shall by no means precede those who have fallen asleep;

1 Thes. 4:16 Because the Lord Himself, with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thes. 4:17 Then we who are living, who are left remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will be always with the Lord.

1 Thes. 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thes. 5:10 Who died for us in order that whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with Him.

1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore comfort one another, and build up each one the other, even as you also do.

On my first visit to the saints in Sitapuri on the Memorial Day Meeting of a sister I never knew in the flesh, the Lord ministered His word on living out Christ as the God of resurrection who is in our spirit today with the reality of becoming the New Jerusalem. This incident also reminded me of the verse which states:

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man,  And the living takes it to heart. Ec. 7:2

By the way, we also visited the family members of the bereaved saints and an elderly brother. A very timely visit beyond my imagination.

 

Here is a lesson that I have been learning. Always wait for the Lord's perfect timing for everything. Never act on your own nor on other's insistence. God knows best. And let God be your God for all things at all times.