Reflections on the Maha Kumbh Festival

By David Kowalski (originally written 2-8-13)

More than 100 million pilgrims from India and abroad are expected to attend the 55-day Maha Kumbh festival — an event held once very twelve years in which Hindus bathe in the Ganges to wash away their sins. We should feel no sense of personal superiority to these people nor harbor any feelings of derision toward them. Love for them, though, would have us pray and labor that they find the true source of cleansing from sin:

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” — Romans 5:9

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” — Ephesians 1:7

“…having made peace through the blood of His cross.” — Colossians 1:20

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“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy placeby the blood of Jesus” — Hebrews 10:19

“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:18-19

Years ago, I had the privilege of knowing Morris Williams, who had been a missionary to Africa for over forty years. He is one of the small number of people I have known that I feel comfortable calling a man or woman of God — not a reference to his justified state but to his life as a servant.

A friend told me of an incident when he was taking a class on world religions taught by Morris Williams. Brother Williams was writing on a board, constructing a comparison chart of the varied beliefs of different religions. When Williams turned to face the class, tears were coursing down his face as he said with a broken voice, “These people are lost, without Jesus.”

“We cannot love the people of this world and leave them as they are.” — Morris Williams

Morris Williams was not ashamed of the gospel. He considered it the power of God unto salvation and spent his life spreading the good news:

“Let’s not beat around the bush. Let’s not pretend that we are no threat to other persuasions. We are a threat…because we are out to convince…to convert…to change men’s minds. Our objective is to free all captives…to turn Muslims to Christ…Hindus to Christ…Animists to Christ…agnostics to Christ…Buddhists to Christ…Communists to Christ. Let’s say it as it is. We proselyte. We seek to enter every stronghold of Satan and take captives….Jesus said ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ We are committed to worldwide conquest…to bringing every man into the kingdom of God!” — Morris Williams

Let’s not forget what we are here for. People such as the millions at the Maha Kumbh festival need to hear the good news of the blood that cleanses us from sin.

© Copyright 2013, David Kowalski. All rights reserved. Links to this post are encouraged. Do not repost or republish without permission.