Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Education for Liberation
Acts 8:26-38
Joseph Koshy
St. Paul's MTC of
Dallas, TX
30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet
Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver quickly faced the harsh realities of this world. As an infant he lost his mother and sister to slave raiders. He was in poor health much of his childhood. The doctors told him he wouldn’t live past the age of twenty one. He set out to get an education at a time when African Americans could not due to racial inequality. Even through all these harsh setbacks Carver had a steadfast desire ---a desire to know God. This desire led him to accept Jesus as his personal Savior at the age of 10. He went on to get an education and become a renowned scientist, educator and inventor. He lived a productive life helping his fellow man until the ripe old age of 78. He firmly trusted in God and had the belief that, “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
In today’s passage we see another man with the same desire to know God. We see an encounter the Apostle Philip had with the Ethiopian official returning home from his trip to Jerusalem. He was reading a certain passage (Isaiah 53:7-8) and lacked the wisdom to understand it. Philip led by the Holy Spirit instructions not only gave answers to his questions, but gave him the answer –the good news of Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, we see the profound impact of Philip’s conversation had upon the man –the man asks to be baptized. It is the prompting of the Holy Spirit that led the man to go to Jerusalem, that led him to read the Scriptures and that led him to finally accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Sweet freedom.
The Mar Thoma Diaspora community has strongly emphasized the value of a good education. We know that a good education leads to better opportunities in life and financial stability for our families. But lately, we are seeing an emphasis on education first, God second. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived said it best, “Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Eccl 1:2), -even education, if God is not at the center of it. It’s like putting the cart in front of the horse; having both serves no purpose until it is put in the right order. Education has value but only in knowing God first who gives us the wisdom to understand its purpose in our life, which leads to true freedom.
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver quickly faced the harsh realities of this world. As an infant he lost his mother and sister to slave raiders. He was in poor health much of his childhood. The doctors told him he wouldn’t live past the age of twenty one. He set out to get an education at a time when African Americans could not due to racial inequality. Even through all these harsh setbacks Carver had a steadfast desire ---a desire to know God. This desire led him to accept Jesus as his personal Savior at the age of 10. He went on to get an education and become a renowned scientist, educator and inventor. He lived a productive life helping his fellow man until the ripe old age of 78. He firmly trusted in God and had the belief that, “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
In today’s passage we see another man with the same desire to know God. We see an encounter the Apostle Philip had with the Ethiopian official returning home from his trip to Jerusalem. He was reading a certain passage (Isaiah 53:7-8) and lacked the wisdom to understand it. Philip led by the Holy Spirit instructions not only gave answers to his questions, but gave him the answer –the good news of Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, we see the profound impact of Philip’s conversation had upon the man –the man asks to be baptized. It is the prompting of the Holy Spirit that led the man to go to Jerusalem, that led him to read the Scriptures and that led him to finally accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Sweet freedom.
The Mar Thoma Diaspora community has strongly emphasized the value of a good education. We know that a good education leads to better opportunities in life and financial stability for our families. But lately, we are seeing an emphasis on education first, God second. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived said it best, “Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Eccl 1:2), -even education, if God is not at the center of it. It’s like putting the cart in front of the horse; having both serves no purpose until it is put in the right order. Education has value but only in knowing God first who gives us the wisdom to understand its purpose in our life, which leads to true freedom.
Prayer: Dear
Lord, You are the source of all knowledge and wisdom. In seeking it,
we are ultimately seeking You. Help us today to put our trust in You,
to know You more. And in knowing You, all that we seek to know leads us
back to You, Complete freedom. Amen.
Thought for the day: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).