Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Anointed for Death
Matthew 26:1-13
 Vs. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
 We see this passage as the initial hours of tribulation of our Lord, starting with the meeting of Chief priests plotting to kill Jesus, followed by the anointing by the lady - a substantial sign before a burial.
Let’s shift our focus to the lady as she represents people like us today - Some translations have the lady was in tears as she was wiping Jesus' feet and anointing Him with the expensive perfume – for me, personally, this illustrates Jesus being the church and the lady representing the people. I believe every church bench will definitely carry tears of people who will be repenting their guilt or facing difficult circumstances in life. How fortunate it is to cry at the feet of the Lord because every tear drop will be accounted for in Heaven. She was broken and wounded.
Let’s take the instance of Job – he was staring at 10 corpses of his own children and hence laid claim on the most significant words in the Bible– "The Lord has given, The Lord has taken away". Are we ready to face the uncertainties life has to offer and continue to march in His grace?
Finally - our Lord elevates the woman’s spirit and proclaims “Now, I assure you that wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her”
We will have people passing judgement for our actions and leaving us stressed but all God wants from us is to admit and submit to Him – admit that we have a problem or repent for the wrongs we have done and completely submit to His will. Prayer with a tearful eye and a contrite heart will never be despised by our God. Are we spreading the fragrance of Christ our Lord? If we do, let us continue to take courage, and work on. What greater encouragement can we desire than we see here? We may be laughed at and ridiculed by the world. Our motives may be misunderstood. Our conduct may be misrepresented. Our sacrifices for Christ's sake may be called "waste,"--waste of time, waste of money, waste of strength. Let none of these things move us. The eye of Him who sat in Simon's house in Bethany is upon us. He takes note of  all we do, and is well-pleased. Let us be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58.)
 PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for the hope that You offer to us. When with hesitant faith, we take hold of Your words and Your promise, fill us with Your joy. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Do we take time to understand the needs of our fellow human beings and help spread the fragrance of Christ to others?

Terrin Soman, Dubai MTC – UAE
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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