Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Priest: Ambassadors of Christ
“ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us, we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2.Cor.5:20) Since we have given the topic to ponder, priest ambassadors of Christ. The word ambassador is a political term commonly used to represent a country to other countries which means representative, substitute, and one who sent. We can define this word with much responsibility entrusted to someone. The mission is entrusted by a superior to the subordinate. Therefore, when we read this word with the eye of a spiritual person its meaning implies very high. What does Paul mean by Ambassador of Christ in this chapter? This letter to Corinthians has been penned around AD 55 or later. Paul offers wisdom and encouragement as well as a directive for the nascent believers. He encourages them to give generously, reject false teaching, and strive to articulate the true and higher meaning of Christian ministry. For early Christians, an ambassador represented one state or land to another. They were treated with the utmost respect, it was a well-known title with a great deal of respect and dignity, and that warranted great decorum on the part of the ambassadors. Paul meant Christians should see themselves as the representation of God and were to behave accordingly.
1. Who are Ambassadors of Christ?
Probably the term is mostly applicable to the Apostles, in such a manner their commission and induction are unique and special. An ambassador owes his /her importance, not to themself but to the power that represents, the message he /she bears. The preachers of Christ or the evangelists are the heralds even not to be identified as ambassadors of Christ. The apostles or the one who was sent by God are the ambassadors in such a sense they are the ministers of the kingdom of heaven. Strictly speaking, an ambassador is one who is accredited to power of authority, such a manner gospel is given to this world. The ambassador is the one who acts on behalf of Christ, instead of Christ God sent us to this world as the representative of the kingdom of heaven. As a whole, every Christian who got the message of Christ and goes to the world preaches the gospel. Therefore we as a church have the responsibility to preach Christ into the unreached world. Hence we all are the ambassadors of Christ.
2. Priest as Ambassador
As we read in 1Peter 5.2-3 “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” This is the meaning of a priest. The priest as a leader leads the people behind him; he represents the whole congregation to God in heaven.
The responsibility of a priest or the minister is one who is willing to do their assignment with confidence and loyalty to God. Go where they are sent irrespective of time and space. They should be able to communicate the message properly and seek the glory of their master, diligent in quality of behavior and confident in every work and also endeavor to do work the best possible way with the intention of the welfare of the flock he shepherds. Priests have the responsibility to deliver, with courtesy and with intense earnestness. Priests are regarded as one who speaks on behalf of God and he stands as the mediator. As an ambassador of Christ, we are also to be peacemakers, we shine the light of Christ into the dark. Ambassadors are to be the eyes and ears of the sender, likewise, we are the instruments of the sender- Our God.
God, we are here, resend us as ambassadors of Christ, forgive our mistakes……..Amen
Thought for the Day
We are ambassadors of God, Were we faithful to the call and assignment?
Vicar, St.Peter’s Marthoma Church
Township Of Washington
New Jersey.