Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Passion Week:Standing Firm on the
Promises of the Cross
Varghese Thomas
Christos MTC,
Philadelphia, PA
13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Looking back fifteen years ago, the word "Y2K" caused anxiety all over the world. The thought of the world ending at the stroke of midnight on January 1st, 2000 was hard to swallow. Jesus in this passage talks about the end times and the destruction of temple. He outlines the events leading up to end of the world as we know it. Dear friends, we are witnesses to many of the signs in our current time. Famine, war, persecution, earthquakes and false prophets are just some of the signs occurring every day all around us. In verse 13, Jesus tells us to stay vigilant and firm in our faith. Through His death, He has saved mankind and given us a chance at eternal life one day. But until then, we are to preach the good news, as He says in verse 14, “as a testimony to all the nations”. In order to do this, we must believe in the ultimate sacrifice that was given to us. As John 3:16 tells us, by believing in His Son, we will not perish, but have eternal life.
Our Marthoma mission is “lighted to lighten”. Let us stand firm together by lighting the faith of others. While the hour and time remain unknown, we do know that end will come one day. Are you prepared? Are you ready to stand firm till the end? In order to stand firm till the end we must have great faith, small enough as the mustard seed. As Jesus said, faith like a mustard seed, is enough to move mountains.
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, tragically died while doing the will of God. Mrs. Staines reported after the death of her husband, “God gives us the strength to be able to carry our cross and to live in His will.” Her words are relevant then, today, and tomorrow. We are called to carry on the Will of God, to spread His good news, until that day comes.
During this Passion Week, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice of love to defeat evil. Jesus died on the cross to save us from death, so let us not fear when we see the signs and hear of the end times. Instead, as Christians, let us look to each other for encouragement, prayer and faith; let us look up to God for strength and courage, and let us stand firm together till the end.
Looking back fifteen years ago, the word "Y2K" caused anxiety all over the world. The thought of the world ending at the stroke of midnight on January 1st, 2000 was hard to swallow. Jesus in this passage talks about the end times and the destruction of temple. He outlines the events leading up to end of the world as we know it. Dear friends, we are witnesses to many of the signs in our current time. Famine, war, persecution, earthquakes and false prophets are just some of the signs occurring every day all around us. In verse 13, Jesus tells us to stay vigilant and firm in our faith. Through His death, He has saved mankind and given us a chance at eternal life one day. But until then, we are to preach the good news, as He says in verse 14, “as a testimony to all the nations”. In order to do this, we must believe in the ultimate sacrifice that was given to us. As John 3:16 tells us, by believing in His Son, we will not perish, but have eternal life.
Our Marthoma mission is “lighted to lighten”. Let us stand firm together by lighting the faith of others. While the hour and time remain unknown, we do know that end will come one day. Are you prepared? Are you ready to stand firm till the end? In order to stand firm till the end we must have great faith, small enough as the mustard seed. As Jesus said, faith like a mustard seed, is enough to move mountains.
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, tragically died while doing the will of God. Mrs. Staines reported after the death of her husband, “God gives us the strength to be able to carry our cross and to live in His will.” Her words are relevant then, today, and tomorrow. We are called to carry on the Will of God, to spread His good news, until that day comes.
During this Passion Week, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice of love to defeat evil. Jesus died on the cross to save us from death, so let us not fear when we see the signs and hear of the end times. Instead, as Christians, let us look to each other for encouragement, prayer and faith; let us look up to God for strength and courage, and let us stand firm together till the end.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank
You for the greatest sacrifice through Your Son. By His death, we have been
given the gift of eternal life. And until that day, please give us strength and
courage to resist everyday evil that we face during these end times. Help us to
lean on Your understanding, trust in Your ways, and ultimately stand firm till
the end. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
― Mother Teresa
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
― Mother Teresa