Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Cross - New Model to Discipleship
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
  Mrs. Aswathi Varghese

St. Thomas MTC, IL

4 who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
 
During the first two centuries of Christianity, the cross depicted a purposely painful and gruesome method of public execution and Christians were reluctant to use it.
Christ, crucified on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice, transformed the cross to a symbol of hope and salvation for mankind.
A story was shared by a friend of a boy in a wheelchair who saw a man desperately struggling on crutches with a broken leg, offering to carry his backpack and books. The boy in the wheelchair helped the young man all the way across campus and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”
Life throws us many curveballs.  Often the experiences are not what we ourselves would have chosen.  Losing my only sister 19 years ago to cancer dragged me to depths of sadness and pain that is beyond what words can express. Yet through the pain, one constant remained: My Jesus never left my side. Today, because of my personal sorrow, Christ compels me to carry His message to the bereaved.  Yes, as we are comforted, we comfort others and thus bear witness to our Lord.
Secondly, more often than not, our troubles are not momentary.  There is a period of waiting and waiting and TRUSTING! Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. David in his weakest moments, never doubted the Lord’s protection.
Finally, in a “Me, Mine and I” world, followers of Christ are required to be selfless examples of the greatest teacher of all, Jesus, who embodied compassion and love. A young man traveling in Kenya met a refugee from Zimbabwe who said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. The young man offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the refugee said was, “We can share it”: this, then is what Jesus exhorts his disciples.
Discipleship: Witness, Trust and Serve!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, may Your spirit compel us to be rays of light, brightening the darkest gloom with Your love and the trust that You instil in us, so that in a turbulent world, we may carry the cross of Your discipleship as a beacon of hope. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Discipleship to the cross means to Witness for Him, Trust in Him, Serve Him!
  


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