Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Sanctification of the Church 
Matthew 23:1-12
Vs 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
                 Jesus criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees, the custodians of law. In this context Jesus warns His disciples to keep themselves away from the danger of hypocrisy and pride. He reminds them that the way of discipleship is the way of humility and servanthood.
1.     Craving for honor  – a bad example
The passage opens with Jesus’ recognition that the Pharisees and the Scribes sit at the seat of Moses, the original lawgiver. He never questions their authority but expresses profound regard for their position. They are the teachers and interpreters of the law in line with Moses. But Jesus criticizes them mainly on three grounds, which indeed challenge us to examine our lives and priorities.
a.       They do not practice what they teach.
b.      They impose upon the people their own additional interpretations without considering human needs and circumstances.
c.       They are not willing to help the people who are struggling to carry their loads.
2.     Commitment for servant hood– a good example
Again, their attitude towards greatness is challenged. They are not to be called Rabbi, they must not call any one Father and nor are they to be called Instructors. These words of Jesus, seem to be strange, must be understood in the backdrop of the religious leaders’ craving for glory and prestigious titles.  Jesus insists that the disciples must be careful and avoid the temptation of pride and prestige.
As the disciples of Jesus, we should always remember that we are simply instruments in God’s hands. Often we confuse our interest with God’s purposes and our power with God’s sovereignty. We wish ourselves to be noticed and our projects to be highlighted over against God’s plans and purposes. We fail to let God walk ahead of us.  The only way to greatness is the way of servant hood and humility.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, forgive our craving for honor and prestige, fill us with Your grace that we may consider ourselves as servants and others great. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Jesus keeps loving and loving despite our failing and blemishes” - (Allen Hilton)
Rev. Joseph Johnny, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Guidance Center, Kottayam

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