Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Priest: Ambassadors of Christ

Zechariah 3:6-10

If you will walk in my ways and keeps my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. (V.7)

  An ambassador is an appointed official who represents the nation in a foreign land. It is the duty of the ambassador to act according to the wishes and commands of the supreme body that granted him authority in whichever place he is delegated to. Likewise, Christians are God’s ambassadors as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. When we live in this world, we are entrusted with the duty of reflecting the qualities of the Kingdom of God and it is our responsibility to reflect the true essence of being a part of God’s kingdom through all that we do. 
As we meditate on the theme ‘Priests: Ambassadors of Christ’, we need to realize our calling as members of His priesthood. In 1 Peter 2:9 we read “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
 In today’s scripture portion, we read about Zechariah’s fourth vision. After returning from the captivity, the people of God started to rebuild the temple. Zechariah was a priest and a prophet. He was motivating and encouraging the people of God for doing God’s ministry. In the vision Zechariah sees Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan standing against him. As a high priest, Joshua is the representative of the nation, and he is encouraged with the conditional privilege of the sort of communion with God. Until Joshua was cleansed, he could not do this. So, after those symbolic actions of removing old filthy clothing and replacing it with new pure clean clothing, the angel of the Lord now has instructions for Joshua.  Through the temple duties anticipated for Joshua, expansions of high-priestly power into areas formerly associated with kings and prophets are suggested. When we accept the calling to be ambassadors of Christ, we are entrusted with greater responsibilities.
The four terms listed in these verses – servant, branch, stone, vine- are all Old Testament designations for the Messiah. This can be understood as a foretelling of the coming of the Messiah.  We have to understand that our only hope is in the   Messiah, the One who was wounded for our sins. Jesus ultimately fulfilled Joshua’s priestly work. Jesus is the great High Priest who died for you and me. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are obliged to continue the charges that was given to Joshua, to walk in obedience to fulfil his commandments and to enjoy the fruitfulness of being Christians. 

Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to be your ambassadors and to reflect your love sacrifice and obedience through our deeds. Amen



 Thought for the Day
 The righteousness of our action and fruitfulness of our life should be the indicators of Christ’s presence in our hearts.


 
Rev Bibi Mathew Chacko
Vicar ,Philadelphia Ascension M T C

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