Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

DISCIPLESHIP
1peter 4 12-19

But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings ,that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 pet 4:12)          
As Peter began to follow Jesus, he was  not at all optimistic  about Christ’s passion and sufferings. But Jesus, the Lord of the church, rebuked Peter and confirmed the message of cross  as the way of salvation and redemption. Finally, the misunderstandings of mission were rectified when Peter and Resurrected  Jesus encountered at the sea shore of Tiberius. He was commissioned there to "tend my sheep".
Tough times in discipleship are a reality.
          Peters letter was written in a tough period due to the severe persecutions operated by the emperor Nero. Peter’s encouragement comes from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians should be bold as their saviour. No deceit comes in His mouth when Jesus was in trials (1 peter.2:22).Trials and sufferings are inherent in the track of discipleship. Followers are called to endure suffering for the righteousness sake, while doing the good things for the kingdom. Jesus says, “the world hated me first, it hates you also” (John.15:18). As Jesus, the disciples be refrained from  vengeance. They can transcend the world by Ahimsa or Non-violence. They must rejoice in Jesus as they are being shared the sufferings of Jesus. To align with the status quo is an easy task but as we choose to travel  the less travelled roads, challenges  are ahead. Transformation comes only when we ready to embrace this mode of prophetic discipleship.
The call to discipleship is a disciplined faith journey
       The trials and sufferings equip us to be relevant and authentic in the witnessing process. The hope that every disciple has is nothing but the presence of Jesus in this path of sufferings and pain. The word here used by Peter is "glory" and it can also be translated as "shekhinah of God"-the everlasting presence of Jesus. Today we experience that presence by the presence of Holy Spirit. So do not be nervous or ashamed, but lead a life to glorify God as a disciple with a disciplined life. Being a Christian means to lead a prophetical way of life. The call to discipleship is a graceful and blessed call that extended to eternity. We hear this conviction from Dr.Martin Luther King Jr's speech when he received the Nobel Prize in 1964"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality."
 Prayer; Our dear Lord, our refuge, fortress and present helper, give your presence to witness you in the cheerful and tougher experiences of life. Amen.
 Rev. Sam. T. Panicker, Boston



Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more