Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Give praise to the Restorer of Dignity, the Giver of Worth.


Prijo Thomas
St. Andrews, NY

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 

The story of the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate is well known. However we tend to gaze over verse 4. Peter and John DIRECT THEIR GAZE at this man who is probably used to being ignored for hours and hours day after day. Not only that, but they ask him to look at them! While asking for alms (gifts of money or goods), the first thing that the beggar actually received from Peter and John was dignity. Looking someone in the eye, giving them your attention, is to first acknowledge them as a person--a human being made in the image of God. It was at this moment that healing actually began in the beggar’s life.


After proclaiming healing over this man with the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus, Peter TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND, and raised him up. So he looked him in the eye, and then physically touched his hand--what a gift the beggar received even before his physical healing. Peter was simply following the example of Jesus, who did not shy away from a messy person or situation, who revealed in each person their intrinsic worth as the masterpiece of a Creator, who drew near to the broken and dirty. Of course the physical healing is also of utmost importance--he was lame from birth! The leaping and praising that ensued was a result of not only a restored body, but restored worth and dignity. Only Christ the King can give such good gifts.

PRAYER

Lord, we ask that You help us to follow Your example. Increase our capacity for love and compassion. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The first thing that the beggar actually received from Peter and John was dignity. What can we give away today?

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more