Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Jesus Christ - Our Lord and God

Matthew 16:13-20

Vs 16 "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

 In today's passage Jesus and his disciples are in the city of Caesarea Philippi. It was a non-Jewish region, populated mostly by gentiles. Peculiar to this city was the existence of shrines and temples dedicated to various gods. That region was considered as the birthplace of Pan, the greek god of nature. Several shrines dedicated to the Syrian deity Baal existed in that region. Also in that region was an imposing marble temple dedicated to worship of Caesar. Situated on the southwestern base of Mount Hermon, the city of Caesarea Philippi presented spectacular views of all these shrines. It was as if Jesus stood at a place where all these were visible and asked a pertinent question to his disciples against the backdrop of prominent world religions and gods - "Who do you say that I am?" Whereas the common people in the region may have had various opinions of who Jesus was as one in line with the prophets, Peter, speaking up for the rest of the disciples said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God". 

Whereas all the other presumed gods were idols or dead, Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Son of the living God whom he worships. The Son of God is the very Savior who would be the Messiah who would deliver them. Jesus firstly commends his faith and declares that it is on the basis of such a faith that Jesus would build His Church - the faith community. Next, Jesus foretells His crucifixion, death and resurrection by which the Son of God would redeem all humankind. Thirdly, Jesus tells his disciples that they have to follow his path of the cross and deny themselves in complete obedience to God, the Father. By obedience, self-denial and bearing their crosses, the disciples would walk in the path of the Savior and lead others to salvation.

Today, Jesus commends the faith of all those who trust Jesus as their God and Savior in the midst of a world that projects many other idols before us. And he commands us to follow in his path of the cross. Our cross is to obey the will of God by following what his will is for our lives. By this we become the agents of salvation for many others, leading them to Christ. It is on such a faith that the Church of Christ will be built upon.
 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, give me the wisdom to discern the cross, that is, your will for my life. Give me the strength to carry it. Give me the will to follow in your path of obedience and self-denial, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Salvation begins when we realize who our Savior is.

Rev. Thomas John
Carmel MTC, Boston

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