Word for the day by Christina Education Forum
Celebrating the Joy of Salvation
Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar
Theodosius Episcopa
Sinai Mar Thoma
Center, NY
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.
Happy Easter!
For a Christian, everyday is an Easter. The resurrection of Jesus brought joy to all those who followed Jesus very closely, during His public ministry, and brought new life to them. When Jesus died on the Cross, outside the city, on a Friday afternoon, the followers did not go back to Galilee, instead remained in and around Jerusalem. We read about the women going to the tomb and disciples running to confirm what the women spoke about the resurrection of Jesus. It brought new meaning and set direction for their ongoing life. Death is not the last word. There is joy in resurrection. There is hope.
Salvation
Jesus died on the cross for the salvation of the whole creation. Salvation is in Jesus (Mathew 1.21) Salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:12). The blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross indicates that God is holy and human beings are sinful; God takes the initiative to provide a way of salvation and humans are called to respond. Therefore the dominant theme in the New Testament is salvation by grace alone through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise of salvation is eternal life with Jesus (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25). A believer thus experiences a lifelong process of growth in Christ-likeness.
Joy of Salvation
Joy is the delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God. The joy of Christ’s resurrection continued in the life of the disciples even after the event of ascension (Luke 24:52). When one walks with the Lord, the troubles of life will not deter him/her from the joy. Jesus spoke of those who could rejoice even when persecuted and killed (Mathew 5:12). Peter, Paul and James wrote to the early believers who went through times of trials that they could rejoice in the Lord. (It appears over 200 times in the Bible)
Celebration
Every time the Church members gather together, they remember the death of Christ and celebrates His resurrection. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and look forward to the second coming of Christ. He, the Alpha and Omega, will gather together the quick and the dead.
Happy Easter!
For a Christian, everyday is an Easter. The resurrection of Jesus brought joy to all those who followed Jesus very closely, during His public ministry, and brought new life to them. When Jesus died on the Cross, outside the city, on a Friday afternoon, the followers did not go back to Galilee, instead remained in and around Jerusalem. We read about the women going to the tomb and disciples running to confirm what the women spoke about the resurrection of Jesus. It brought new meaning and set direction for their ongoing life. Death is not the last word. There is joy in resurrection. There is hope.
Salvation
Jesus died on the cross for the salvation of the whole creation. Salvation is in Jesus (Mathew 1.21) Salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:12). The blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross indicates that God is holy and human beings are sinful; God takes the initiative to provide a way of salvation and humans are called to respond. Therefore the dominant theme in the New Testament is salvation by grace alone through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise of salvation is eternal life with Jesus (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25). A believer thus experiences a lifelong process of growth in Christ-likeness.
Joy of Salvation
Joy is the delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God. The joy of Christ’s resurrection continued in the life of the disciples even after the event of ascension (Luke 24:52). When one walks with the Lord, the troubles of life will not deter him/her from the joy. Jesus spoke of those who could rejoice even when persecuted and killed (Mathew 5:12). Peter, Paul and James wrote to the early believers who went through times of trials that they could rejoice in the Lord. (It appears over 200 times in the Bible)
Celebration
Every time the Church members gather together, they remember the death of Christ and celebrates His resurrection. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and look forward to the second coming of Christ. He, the Alpha and Omega, will gather together the quick and the dead.
PRAYER
Easter assures us, O
Lord, your eternal presence with us. Help us to walk daily with the Risen Lord.
Amen
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain’- St. Paul (Philippians 1:21)
‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain’- St. Paul (Philippians 1:21)