Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Our mission to the last, least and the lost
 Mathew 25: 31-40

VS.40 “In as much as  ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  
It is always amazing that Jesus, Son of God and the great teacher, identified with those who are considered the least. This is so radically different from the world standard. The world sees people as resources, from which one can draw benefits.  The world gathers around those who are great and neglects the marginalized. But, we see that Jesus who is truly the most influential and greatest personality that ever walked on the earth identified with the last, least and lost.
It is not just people who commit outwardly sins like murder and adultery that are cursed into eternal fire. People can be guilty for what they did not do, as well. This really prompts us to check the reality within our own heart.
The needy in our life might be a friend who is sick, one who is heavy-hearted or having any other type of need.  Each time we pretend not to see or hear or respond to their needs or assume someone else will take care of it, is a failure to identify with Jesus and grieves the heart of God who wants to use us to be the agents of His love and sources of blessing. The natural attitude towards sins of omission is much like the response of the cursed, “Lord, when did we see you hungry”. It is so easy not even to recognize or be aware of it.
Jesus never ceased to work, reach out and touch people in His three years of ministry.  He was without a doubt busy. So there is no time to relax. The reality is that there are so many who are needy and broken. The passage reminds us that there is a lot of work to be done. Let us be faithful to each person that God brings into our life. It also reminds us that there is no excuse not to love one another. We must constantly fight against the passivity, laziness and self-centeredness within.
This is one of the most vivid parables and the lesson is clear as crystal that God will judge us according to our response to human need. His judgment will not take into account the knowledge we have amassed or the fame we have acquired or the fortune that we have gained. He will judge us on how we have helped our fellow beings.
PRAYER
Loving God, help us to say ‘yes’ to the challenges that come our way, make us the people who heal each other, who grow strong together, moving towards the common dream for a new heaven and new earth in the power of   Your love. Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When we serve others, we serve God.
 
Christian Education Forum

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