Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

The Restoring Christ


Sonia Joseph
St. James MTC, NY

"In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.."


In the letter to Philippians, Apostle Paul encourages us to be Christ like in our relationship. It further discusses the humble nature of Jesus and how Father God exalts Him at the end.

1. Humility of Jesus
Apostle Paul points out that even though Jesus was fully God in nature, He did not regard equality with God. Being equal to God did have its own privileges like power, glory, riches etc. But Jesus humbled Himself and took the nature of a servant, being obedient to the Father even in death.
We live in a society which is obsessed with social status. We try to achieve importance by having material possessions. We are constantly in a fight to come up a step higher than a friend, relative or neighbor etc. Apostle Paul asks us to be Christ like in our relationships. Jesus Christ asks us to value the other person above ourselves. In Matthew 20, 26-28, he says, "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."  Jesus demonstrated this concept throughout His entire life. From the simple birth in a manger, to spending time with the socially and economically marginalized, in loving and accepting the outcasts,  in washing the feet of His disciples and ultimately to sacrificing His life on the cross for us. The manner in which Jesus gave His life itself points to the very fact that He loved and regarded us above himself. Death by crucifixion was considered a heinous punishment as it was reserved for criminals and murderers. God's own son bore all this disgrace to save all human kind. Jesus fulfilled His father’s will by being totally obedient to Him. To imitate Christ in relationship is a great challenge for us. Can we consider the needs of our spouses and children above our own? Can we give more importance to the needs of our friends or people at our church?

2. The Exaltation of Jesus
Apostle Paul points out that God exalted Jesus and gave Him the name above every name. James 4:10 says, "Humble yourself under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Being a Christian does not guarantee an easy life. Psalms 34:19 says many are the trials of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all. It is easy to get discouraged and question the faith when we face difficulties. But the life and resurrection of Jesus teaches that our father God always has us in the palm of His hand.

If Christ Himself, though He was divine, did not seek selfishly anything, but obeyed His father, we ought to do the same.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, You have called us to lead a life valuing others above ourselves. You have shown this through many examples in Your life and by giving Your own life to save us. O Lord, help us to follow Your example in our relationship and lead a life pleasing to You. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“To be blessed, be a blessing.
To be loved, give love.
To be honored, be humble. " 

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

-
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

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