Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Beginning of Great Lent

The New Creation
Genesis 33: 1-17

Genesis 33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Waking up to good news is a dream come true for every human being. But imagining it in a decade where we are surrounded by - pandemic, racial and religious hatred, and warmongering; is perhaps next to impossible. 

But imagine if we were Jacob and every day we had to wake up fearing death by his own sibling, would have been such a nightmare. 

So, envisage that day when Esau embraced Jacob
Forgiveness and reconciliation between the brothers who had sworn to kill each other is a historical event. Reconciliation in Greek means ‘change completely’ and perhaps because of reconciliation, Jacob started to see God's reflection in Esau. A conflict that started from the womb of their mother and continued until Jacob's realization of his inequities after years of toil and suffering, ended in reconciliation and the formation of a great nation- Israel.  

Can we see God through Reconciliation?
According to Apostle Paul, we are a ‘new creation’ in Christ through reconciliation. In Matthew 5:23 Jesus says leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer the gift. Many individuals in this world are not willing to talk to their brothers, sisters, partners, parents, and friends. In fact, terminating conversation and ignoring the person who has been part of your life has become easier than reconciliation. 

Can we deliberately start the conversation again with the person whom you have not spoken for long or not forgiven and strive to understand their viewpoint? Apostle Paul wrote in detail about reconciliation by God the Father with human beings by sending his only begotten son as a sacrifice for our sins. If our God the Father can forgive our sins and reconcile with us by sacrificing his only ‘Son’; can’t we take the first step in calling the person on whom we still carry grudge, hatred, or remorse?

The Apostle Paul clearly teaches that a believer can be a “new creation” in Christ through reconciliation. Jacob became the great nation of Israel after reconciliation with his brother, I am sure, your reconciliation will make you a ‘new creation’, and Jesus will bless you and use you for His great plans. 
God bless you all !!!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us the grace to forgive and reconcile with our near and dear ones so that we can live a life pleasing to you. A M E N

Thought for the Day

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. 
- Paul Boese 

Joyce Gigi
Mar Thoma Church in Oman

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