Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Christian Approach to the Untouchables
Hebrews 13:8-16
v8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

When thinking of untouchables, in an Indian context, our mind goes to those in a lower caste who were considered untouchables by people of higher caste. But in a Biblical context when we think of untouchables, we think of lepers who were quarantined from the Jewish society and forced to live in camps outside the city walls. Yet we see that Jesus healed the leper not by word of mouth but by touching him and thereby breaking the barriers that humans had created to separate this child of God.
In the Bible, we see many instances of Jesus healing by His compassionate touch. He heals the blind, the deaf, the woman who could not stand up straight, and Peter’s mother-in law by touching them which goes to prove that a touch gives healing to the body, mind and spirit. So, should we look at another child of God as untouchable? Herein lies our approach to people who the world would consider untouchable.   
In today’s passage we see three exhortations:
Sacrifice of the Suffering/Self (v12-13)
Jesus Christ does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, no amount of false teachings can turn us away from Him. However, we need to sacrifice self (our) to the Son of God who suffered humiliation and contempt on our behalf. Just like the untouchables who were forced to live outside the city walls, Jesus also laid down His life for us outside the walls of Jerusalem.
Sacrifice of praise (v.15)
Paul says that the fruit of our lips is the confessing of His name that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We need to continually offer this sacrifice of praise through our worship in spirit and in truth.
Sacrifice of Sharing (v.16)
God in his benevolence has given us numerous gifts in talents and resources. These gifts are not only meant for our own use but to be used for the good of others too. This is what is pleasing to God.
Jesus was always with the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized and the oppressed. We are called to serve the unserved, underserved, and underprivileged. A true Christian should be the “voice” for the “voiceless”. Their suffering should trigger our conscious to alleviate their situation. Let us be an instrument of God’s unique plan to fulfill His purpose.

PRAYER
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross to redeem us from our sins. We thank thee for the abundant blessings You have showered on us. Help us to use these blessings for the good of others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3

Philip Manuel and Laila Anie Philip
Carmel MTC Boston

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

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