Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Isaiah 50:1-11
V10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God?
In the introductory chapter of St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he boldly states, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” He has supreme confidence that, “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.” (Ref. Rom 1:16) What is the “Gospel” Paul preached? We see in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul reminding the Corinthians what the Good News is. “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scripture, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.” Paul emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in the ensuing verses. The resurrection of Christ is the hope of all Christians because it ensures our resurrection and future salvation/glorification.
The totality of the Gospel also includes the life of obedience the Son had to the Father in Heaven as well. Today’s portion. Isaiah prophesies about the obedience of the Messiah in chapter 50. “The Lord opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.” (v. 5-6) This was a prophesy of what would happen to Jesus prior to the crucifixion.
We who are partakers of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through Baptism, should live in obedience to the teachings of Christ. In doing so we too can be unashamed of the Gospel we believe in as the hope of our upcoming salvation. With gratitude in our hearts for what God has done for us, we too, like the Son, must reverently submit to the will of our Father in Heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that You sent your Son into the world to redeem us. We thank you for the example you set for us through Him. Help us to place our entire trust in you regardless of the darkness that surrounds us. Please help us to live a life that is worthy of the sacrifice you made. We put our hope in the resurrection of our Lord. In Jesus' name; Amen.
Vivin Varughese
The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island