Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Call and the Commission of the Apostles
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in
the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you
as a prophet to the nations.”(V.5)
When we think of “prophets” and “disciples” we think of men
of great gravitas, with powerful booming voices, long flowing beards,
and a larger-than-life-presence, compelling us to change our ways through their
influence and compelling oration. The Bible shows us, however, that
those who are called to discipleship and ultimate sacrifice are actually
often reluctant, unwilling, and weak - unlikely candidates for God’s
purposes. Jeremiah’s first reaction to God’s call, in today’s
passage, is to say “alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am
too young.” Jesus’ disciples were not well-educated men of great
stature in the community. Rather, they were fishermen, tax
collectors, simple men without great learning. Days after Jesus’
crucifixion and resurrection, he finds that his disciples have returned to
their fishing life. After all that they had witnessed and learned in
their years of travel with them, their first reaction after his death was to
retreat to the simple tasks that made them comfortable. Ultimately,
it was these few simple men who carried Christ’s word to the
world. They were called out of weakness, and not strength, for God’s
purposes. As we are reminded in Paul’s Second Letter to the
Corinthians “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
(2Cor.12:9)
Just over twenty
months ago I became a father, to our twin sons Isaiah and
Elijah. Their arrival in this world was, in many ways, a great
miracle, and one which I will always credit to God’s great
mercy. They have grown a lot since they arrived into this world,
learning to crawl, walk, and now talk. And they have begun to copy those
around them, to mimic the behavior that they see, especially from their
parents. As they have begun to copy their parents, I have thought more and more
about the influence they have had on me and my life. Their simple
copy-cat behavior has challenged their parents to do our best to adhere to and
model Christ’s commandments at all times. When we fail, their
simple and innocent reactions remind us to return to God’s way. In
their own way, they serve as prophets to us, a force here on Earth to remind us
of our walk with Christ, and the importance of adhering to His will for the
future.
What we can and should learn is that God’s prophets are all
around us, calling us back to Him through their weakness- a child who looks to
you as a role model, a sick person who needs care, the poor and needy all
around us. These people challenge us, through their need, to do
God’s will. Their very existence, and need, is just as compelling as
John the Baptist’s “voice calling from the desert.” Similarly, we are
called to be God’s prophets and disciples, to reach out to others through our
testament, our lives, and our every action. .
Thought for the
Day: Who are God’s appointed prophets
in your life? Who has led you to a deeper faith? Have you
recognized God’s voice, when He has spoken to you through others? And who might
you lead to deeper faith through your testament and witness? Do you
live as a prophet, or are you hampered by your fear?
Prayer:
Lord, let me be your prophet, in all my ways, to those that you have placed as
witnesses to my deeds and words. Lord, let me also hear Your call,
in the prophets that you have sent to keep me mindful of Your will…Amen
Ajit
J. Thomas, Carmel Mar Thoma Church, Massachusetts