Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Church: The Way of Christ (Sabha Dinam)

Bible Reading: ::John 11: 5-16

Key verse:  

Bible Verse::Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us go, that we may die with him.”  John 11: 16

DEVOTION

The Mar Thoma Church celebrates December 21st as Sabha Dinam or Mar Thoma Church Day, every year.  The Church believes that St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, is the founder of the Christian Churches in Kerala.  It is believed that St. Thomas reached Kerala in 52 A.D. We conduct special thanksgiving services on December 21st which is also our Sabha Dinam.
In today’s Bible portion we see Jesus telling his disciples about revisiting Judea from where they had retreated owing to a threat from Jews.  The disciples reminded him of this fact.  But Jesus insisted because he loved the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Lazarus is dead.  Jesus said that his disciples would get a chance to believe in him when he raises Lazarus from the dead.  At this point Thomas says, ‘Let us also go, so we may die with him.”
Thomas is confident and courageous.  When he has doubts he does not fear to express his concerns.  But he accepts the truth when he realizes the truth.  When Jesus announces his desire to go to Judea to see Lazarus even in the face of threat posed by the Jewish leaders, Thomas, with unflinching courage, tells the other disciples, “Let us also go with the master, even if we may die.”  He is loyal to his master.  His commitment to his master, Jesus Christ, is superb.  Thomas does not give importance to his safety or even his life.  He is prepared to die for his master.  Later in life, Thomas, taking all risks, travels to Kerala, a land of idol worshipers, and spreads the Gospel.  He empties himself for the sake of Christ.  This is what is called the ‘Missionary Zest.’  It is said that every Marthomite is a missionary.  Are we prepared to die for Christ as Apostle Thomas did?  Thomas established the Church here for people to know the way of Christ.  Can the Church exemplify the way of Christ in these hard times?

PRAYER

O, Lord Jesus, thank you Lord for sending your beloved Apostle Thomas to our land so that we got the opportunity to know the real Savior and worship the God our Father Almighty.  Create in us O, Lord, the willingness to serve you wholeheartedly and spread your gospel throughout.  Make us your children and help us to work for establishing your Kingdom diligently and meaningfully, Amen.

Thought for the DAY

Let’s follow Jesus always
         and ever exist in Divine Grace.


Prof. Elias Abraham
Baltimore Mar Thoma Church

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