Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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  • Holy Qurbana: Table of Reconciliation

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21 

Key verse:  18-19

 18-19  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:   that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

DEVOTION

A friendship that has fallen apart. A family that once shared life together but now no longer speaks. Communities divided by hurt, misunderstanding, and resentment. Even nations separated by years of conflict. In each of these situations, we long and fervently pray for reconciliation—a word that means restoring a broken relationship and bringing people back into peace, harmony, and fellowship. 
But reconciliation is not easy. Someone has to take the first step. Pride has to give way to humility and hurt has to give way to forgiveness. The Bible tells us that we, too, were once separated from God because of sin, a separation that we could never overcome through our own efforts. Yet God did not leave us in our brokenness. The beautiful truth of the gospel is that God took the first step toward us.  Through Jesus Christ, He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
The Old Testament sacrifices pointed to the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement, but they could never provide the complete and final redemption that Christ accomplished. Jesus, our perfect Redeemer, offered Himself once for all. His sacrifice was sufficient. 
When we celebrate the Holy Qurbana, we come to the table remembering Christ's sacrifice and celebrating the new covenant established through Him. We remember that our reconciliation with God is not something we earned. It is God's gift of grace through Christ. Because of Christ's finished work, we can approach God with confidence. 
Paul also reminds us that God not only reconciled us to Himself through Christ, but also gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That means reconciliation cannot stop at the altar. If Christ has crossed the greatest divide to bring us back to God, are we willing to take a step toward someone with whom we are divided? 

                                                    PRAYER

 Gracious Father, thank You for reconciling us to yourself through Jesus Christ. Give us humble hearts, willing to forgive, seek forgiveness, and pursue peace. Help us carry the grace we receive at Your Table into our relationships and become instruments of your love and reconciliation. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

       Every time we come to the Lord's Table, we are reminded: We are people who have been reconciled. Therefore, we are called to be people who bring reconciliation.

Lisa Cherukara
 St. Stephens MTC, NJ
 

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