Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 The Annunciation to Zechariah

1 Chronicles: 24: 1 - 19
v19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
 

Introduction: 
The passage for our devotion reveals how the priests of Israel got their turn (appointed order) to perform priestly duties in the Temple.
The first list is believed to be initiated by Aaron the high priest (vs. 1)
King David continued the tradition of appointment with the help of Zadok and Ahimelek (vs. 3) by picking lots, from among the descendants of Eleazar and Edhamar.
 
According to the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah the priest, the father of John the ‘Baptizer’, was born in the 8th priestly division of Abiya and Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth, was a descendant of Aaron. [Luke 1:5]
 
Annunciation ‘for us’– biblically this means ‘to be spoken to, by God or, receive an announcement through an angel of God’.
Zechariah the Priest was spoken to by the angel of God while he was performing his priestly duties. [Luke 1:11-20]
Just like Zechariah, we are called by God every day.
We are expected to respond (responsibility) to God’s Voice speaking to us.
As God’s children we have a responsibility to listen and understand what God wants us to do with our lives for His purpose.
 
Called ‘to Minister’:
‘Did you go for service on Sunday?’ what does this really mean?
Traditionally we believe, that our duty on Sunday is to ‘just go and attend’ the liturgical service in the sanctuary.
The clergy being servants of Christ, are responsible to prepare us the people of God, for ministry/ service in the world.
We need to understand that, the purpose of the liturgical prayers is to prepare us for service in the world through our chosen profession in the world.
We are ‘called to minister to, or serve the community’ in the world [Mark 10:45]
It is believed that since we humans have access to God through Christ, we are the royal priesthood. [1 Peter 2:9; Revelations 5:10]
 
Annunciation ‘today’:
Each day we make an effort to serve God through the opportunities that are provided for us.
Our profession should be seen as our vocation to serve God. [Vocation meaning - being called (vocally) to serve God].
Since we are baptized, we believe we are called to enter the fellowship of the body of Christ.
We must remember that each one of us are set apart for Godly service;
each day is a chance to listen to God’s voice and serve God’s people;
This responsibility to serve others is not exclusive for the clergy or evangelists only.

 
PRAYER
Gracious and loving God,
Thank you for reminding us that we are being called each day, to serve your purpose in this world at our work places. Strengthen us and help us, to listen and obey your voice each day, Amen! 
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The only way you can serve God is by serving other people” – (Rick Warren)
 
Geeve Mathew, Jerusalem MTC, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
 
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