Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Re-reading of the Scripture with the Risen Lord
James 2:1-13
 Vs. 1.My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?
 When we choose the rich over the poor, the beautiful over the plain,  how do we rationalize our actions.Favoritism – we all do it and we might even argue that is normal! Rational!  But here God says “have you not discriminated and become judges with evil thoughts?” (v4)  “If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” ! (v9)  Why is the Bible so adamant about not showing favoritism?  Because as v 1 says our Lord Jesus Christ did not show favoritism. In fact, that is why you and I can be in His family. 
God picked Leah, the LESS BEAUTIFUL, LESS LOVED wife compared to Rachel – to be the great-grandmother of Jesus.  God picked Moses, the THIRD child – the stuttering kid – to be the leader of Israel.  God chose Mary – a WOMAN – to be the first to see the Risen Christ.  Jesus chose a SAMARITAN – the disliked Race – to be the hero of His parable. Jesus chose a CRIMINAL – a THIEF – to be the first one to be promised Eternal Life.
To God there is no favorite – because each and every one He has created has VALUE.  That’s what we rob from someone when we choose favorites – we rob them of their dignity and value.  Today let us have the Spirit of the Risen Lord – who chose the least likely and gave each of His children Value.
 PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for loving us. Help us today to love each person we come across and show them how valuable they are in Your eyes. 
 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Lord, Give me your eyes for just one second.
Give me your eyes so I can see.
Everything that I keep missing. 
Give me your love for humanity”          
~ Song by Brandon Heath


Betsy Mathew, Epiphany MTC, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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