Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Joy Regenerated

Isaiah 35: 1-10

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

For over 13 years, I have been working for Be The Match, the national blood stem cell/marrow registry of the United States. The organization’s mission is to save the lives of patients with blood cancers and blood disorders by educating and registering blood stem cell/marrow donors. I am proud to say many members of the Mar Thoma Church have registered at events hosted by our churches and a few lucky people have donated their blood stem cells to save the lives of patients worldwide.
Over the course of my time with the organization, I’ve been blessed to be part of donor-recipient meetings. This is when the patient finally meets the person who saved their life for the first time. It is one of the most emotional and joy filled moments, one I look forward to each year.
Recently, an elderly patient named James had the opportunity to meet his young donor Jeff. As expected, there were a lot of tears of joy and James would not stop hugging Jeff. James’ wife Shirley could not stop crying and thanking Jeff for saving her husband’s life. As James shared his story, he told everyone how his hair had less grays, he doesn’t need glasses anymore and he feels 20 years younger. Not only was his blood cancer cured, he felt like there was a physical regeneration that took place.
Reading today’s passage reminds me of the ultimate regeneration, a regeneration due to the gift of salvation. It mentions the dry land rejoicing and blossoming with joy, weak hands being strengthened, feeble knees becoming firm, and the blind, deaf, and lame being healed. All of this because of the coming of our God, His triumphant return. Isaiah says, “He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
Isaiah then describes the following image: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” The imagery should put a huge smile on everyone’s faces.
During this pandemic, many have suffered physical, mental, and emotional distress. We are all wondering when this will finally end with the world getting back to “normal”. As our joy and gladness returns, I urge everyone to remember the ultimate regenerative healing that awaits us upon the impending second coming of our Savior.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, we come to You with excitement knowing You will save us and bring to us an indescribable joy! AMEN.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Say to the weary one
YOUR GOD WILL SURELY COME
He will come and save you.
And He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Lift up your eyes to Him
You will arise again
He will come and save you.
– He Will Come and Save by Don Moen, Paul Wilbur
 
Dr. Ron Jacob, Long Island MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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