Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
COVENANT: A CALL FOR RENEWAL
Nehemiah 10:28-39
The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept. (Nehemiah 10:39)
 
 Nehemiah continues the history of the Jews after their homecoming from exile in Babylon where Ezra leaves off. He went to Jerusalem and encouraged the people to repair the city walls. With Ezra he provided religious leadership for the people too. The first half of the book (chapters 1-7) is devoted almost completely to Nehemiah's work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The second half of the book (chapters 8-13) presents the combined climax of the two reformers' work in the spiritual renewal of the community and related matters. The community enters into a binding agreement to observe various aspects of the Law, mostly, though not entirely, related to the support of the temple and its services (9:38-10:39).
Covenant: A call for Renewed Leadership: Neh. 10: 28-39 is people's response to restoration, not a condition of restoration. This implies two things. One, restoration is made possible through the grace of God, and not because of the exceptional leadership qualities of Nehemiah or Ezra. God initiates restoration. And, God fulfills restoration. God elects leaders to cooperate with him. Second, Nehemiah does not consider restoration as his personal achievement; rather, he perceives it as an achievement of the people. Sometimes, as leaders, we are tempted not to give due credit to the toil and sweat of many-known and unknown; visible and invisible-which made our roles as leaders a success, in our own respective walks of life. Nehemiah challenges our craving for credit and appreciation. He shows us as to from where renewal must begin.
From Restoration to Renewal: The sincerity of the people to live a life worthy of those who have experienced the restoring grace of God is revealed in 10:28-39. Confession of faith needs to be translated into a practical and visible change of life style and practice. Each individual has a responsibility to accept for himself or herself the values which characterize the whole. Restoration is not a one off phenomenon. It becomes complete only if we constantly revisit restoration itself. Revisiting restoration is called renewal. The details of the agreement in 10:28-39 reflect a holistic understanding of renewal. It touches not only all aspects of life, but life itself. Commitment to God, His Law and His temple is the basis of any renewal (vv. 28-29, 32-34). The purity of life (v. 30), importance of observing the Sabbath (v.31) and tithing their earthly first fruits and biological first fruits (v. 35-38) were also not exempted from the purview of renewal. Let us grow from restoration to renewal and from renewal to fullness of life.
Prayer:
O Lord, in your grace, restore us, renew us and consecrate us! Amen.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A change of heart can lead to a change in our destiny.

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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