Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Celebration of Redemption
Jonah 4:1-11
1 John 2:2 - “[Jesus Christ] Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins - and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”
I love movies that portray redemption stories, where the protagonist reaches a dire point in his/her life’s journey, but, through some miracle or perseverance, achieves ultimate victory. The Rocky movies are right up there among my favorites. In Rocky II, we see Rocky dealing with struggles and hardships, wrestling with whether he should continue his boxing career or not.

With any redemption story, there is a cost to pay, usually by the one needing redemption. Rocky had to endure difficulty finding a regular job; opposition from his wife, Adrian, for the rematch with Apollo; stress from Adrian falling into a coma during the premature birth of their son; and goading pressure from Apollo to fight. Ultimately, Balboa and Apollo fight in a rematch and Rocky wins! Rocky paid the price for his redemption.

We all need redemption from our sinful nature. Thanks be to God that we do not have to pay that price, which is death (see Romans 6:23)! Jesus Christ, our Messiah, displays His love for us by His sacrifice on the cross, being the full “propitiation of our sins,” delivering us from death and making the way for our salvation and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Our response to this redemption should be nothing short of celebration, honor, devotion, and praise to our God.

Let us not be like Jonah, who was hoping that God would make the Ninevites pay the price for their wickedness. When anyone turns away from a life of sin and towards a life with God, knowing that they have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb, let the party begin!
 
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, You are worthy of our celebration, affection, and adoration not only for what You have done for us, but also for who You are and how You love us. Motivate us, oh Lord, to share the knowledge of your redemptive power to all whom we encounter. We love you, Jesus. In Your name we pray, AMEN!
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Filled with the Holy Ghost, I am.
All my sins are washed away,
I’ve been redeemed!”

Shaun Rajan, St. Andrew’s Mar Thoma Church, New York
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