Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Priests called to be imitators of Christ

2 Timothy 2:1-13
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.” V.8

In today’s scripture portion Apostle Paul begins by encouraging young Timothy to focus on the gospel, a message which concerns the Lord Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. The expression "raised from the dead" is the central truth of the gospel. Jesus Christ who rose from the dead is the unblemished, sacrificial victim and sinless high priest and brought us salvation. Christ himself is the cornerstone. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the foundation of a new community of which God is the author and perfector. Christ has broken the bonds of death and is alive, and because he lives we may live also.

In addition, St. Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm for Christ in his Christian ministry and his calling. God is calling people of God to proclaim the good news concerning Jesus Christ. God calls people in every age to the ministry of the word and sacrament. Calling for a particular ministry is not a human appointment, but by God’s divine authority. God calls people to varieties of ministries.  The edification of the body of Christ involves different forms of ministry, including apostles, preachers, teachers, evangelists and prophets (Eph. 4:11-12).  

Furthermore, Apostle Paul explains why he himself strives to "endure everything." Paul’s exhortation to Timothy is to hold fast to the tradition they have received and not be swayed by competing Christian influences. Entanglements are to be avoided, as in the life of the enlisted soldier (v.4), as in the life of disciplined athletes (v.5), and as in the life of the hard working farmer (v.6). 

Moreover, Paul is encouraging Timothy that God is faithful—that God keeps all promises. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” This means we can count on God to continue to love us, to help us, to always be there for us as a supporting presence—even in the worst of times, even if we are at times “faithless” (2 Tim. 2:13).

In conclusion, Paul’s exhortation to Timothy is to remain faithful to God’s ministry. “Jesus Christ raised from the dead” is the centrality of the gospel. A variety of gifts are given to the body of Christ for the edification of the believers. Entanglements are to be avoided. Remember that God is faithful and God keeps all God’s promises.
 
 
PRAYER
Dear God, by the power of the Holy Spirit open our minds to your wisdom and our hearts to your sacrificial, unending and faithful love. Amen.
 
Rev. Biju P. Simon
Philadelphia, PA

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

-
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

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