Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Christ is the Lord and God for us
John 20: 24-29
Vs 28-29 “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 
Let us thank God for the experiences and blessings received during this Lenten season. We have celebrated the Feast of Resurrection (Easter), and are now approaching the New Sunday (1st Sunday after Easter). Christ’s Resurrection invites us to a renewed form of life. In this passage, we are asked to retrospect our faith, and recall the life of St. Thomas, and his interaction with Jesus after the Resurrection.
We are reminded that Thomas had doubts at the time of the Resurrection of our Lord. At this moment, he was expected to stand on his own two feet and believe. Though his initial response to the news of the Resurrection demonstrates his doubts, this came with good intention, and out of his love and devotion to the Lord. His faith was reaffirmed after visibly seeing and experiencing the Risen Lord. The Epistle to the Hebrews, 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
We live in a world where we see and experience disheartening moments. The Corona virus disease has arrested the movement of humanity, which has caused many to descend into fear, anxiety, or doubt. Our faith is being put to the test. It is not a sin to doubt. The actions manifested through our doubts are judged. Can we rise to the occasion, recall how our triune God worked throughout history, and lives in us today? Let us remember God’s salvation history and immerse ourselves in scripture and in the presence of our triune God, which will allow us to move forward in hope.
Christ assured the disciples of His presence by empowering them with the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), and reminding them that He is with us unto the end of ages (Matthew 28:20). This promise is for us too. Have we understood it? Do we keep up in Christian hope amid despair?
As a church, we have an ‘empty cross’ theology (as opposed to a crucifix). The reason is grounded in our faith and hope in the Resurrected Christ. Christ is no longer on the cross; He has risen! Understanding this brings us to self-realization and empowers us to move forward in our journey of faith. We look forward to and patiently wait for His second coming.
 
PRAYER
Lord, help us to understand that we have been baptized and set apart as your children. We thank You that you have a purpose for each one of us. Help us to listen to Your voice, be your faithful disciples in this world, and to confess that you are Lord and God. Amen. 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The history of salvation has been unfolded before us through the cross. Where do we locate ourselves in the midst of Christ and the Cross?
Rev. Dennis Abraham, San Francisco Mar Thoma Church
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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