Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Partake in the Table of Christ

Bible Reading:   1 Corinthians 10:14–22

Key verse: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor. 10:17)


DEVOTION

The Corinthian church lived in a culture where feasts to idols were everywhere. Paul reminds them that to partake of the Lord’s Table is to belong fully to Christ. “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too” (v. 21). Jesus also said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
 
Idolatry may look different today. It might be the glowing phone that steals our mornings, the calendar that leaves no room for prayer, or the quiet pressure to measure our worth by career or possessions. These rival “tables” promise satisfaction but leave us empty. Christ, however, invites us to His Table where He alone is the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Here we partake of gifts beyond measure: pardon for our sins, fellowship in His body, and rest for our weary hearts.
 
In the Mar Thoma Church, the liturgy of the Holy Qurbana makes this call to exclusive devotion vivid. Before communion, the deacon exhorts us: “Beloved brothers and sisters, let us participate… with commitment, reverence, humility, purity of heart, love, true faith and devotion.” At that moment, the noise of the world fades. This is no ordinary meal. It is fellowship with Christ Himself. The celebrant declares: “Take, eat, this is My Body… Drink, this is My Blood of the new covenant”. These are words that renew our covenant in forgiveness and unity. Together we pray, “May Your holy Body and Blood… be not for our condemnation, but for life and salvation.” In that prayer we confess our weakness and rest in His mercy.
 
Each Holy Qurbana is a reminder that idols cannot satisfy, but Christ alone is enough. When we come to His Table, are we carrying divided hearts? Are we trying to feast at the tables of the world while reaching for His bread of life? Or will we lay aside these distractions and approach with undivided devotion, ready to be renewed in His covenant? When we come with such hearts, we rise from the Table not only forgiven but strengthened to live as His witnesses in the world.
 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, quiet our distractions. Cleanse our hearts of every idol. Renew us in Your covenant of grace and unite us as one body in You. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

At the Lord’s Table, the noise of the world fades as we partake in unity with Christ.

Fantin Prasad Varghese
St. Thomas MTC, Calgary, Canada.

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 wh...
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

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 tel...
Read more