Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Cross-   Self-giving Love of Christ
Zechariah 13:1

"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.” (Zechariah 13:1)

There is no other fountain besides the blood of Jesus that can cleanse us from our sin and impurity. This week, we’re talking about the cross and self-giving love.  Yet in stark contrast to the gentle image of love we’re accustomed to, the rest of the chapter is full of violent imagery.  False prophets shall be punished, even by death, by their friends and parents.  A repentant tells of the “wounds I was given at the house of my friends.”  You don’t normally think of wounding someone as the actions of a friend.  However, within the spectrum of love lies both the use of a gentle hand and the use of strict discipline.  We all have a different comfort level in how we reflect God’s love - some of us find it easier to show “soft love" and others to show “tough love.”  But only showing just one aspect of God’s love would be trying to take just one color and calling it a rainbow.  We must grow in our ability to reflect the full range of God’s love.

The wounds on the body of the repentant paradoxically remind me of the wounds on Jesus’ body.  It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine that Jesus, who had the power to return from the dead, would be easily capable of healing the wounds inflicted on his hands, his feet, and his side.  Yet, he left the wounds unhealed as proof of who he was.  We remember that every time we sin, we are the ones who are hammering the nails into his hands and feet and stabbing his side.  It may seem almost contradictory how we are called to love one another and in the same breath, called to attack those who falsely prophesy.  This is not an easy task.

God tells us exactly how grueling this life on Earth can be.  Two-thirds will be struck down and perish even before the trials and one-third will be put into the fire to be refined.  Our nature must change and become purified before God will say, “They are my people.”  Let us strive to answer the calling of the cross and reflect the full spectrum of God’s love in our lives, not just what is comfortable for us.

Prayer: God, you are love and love in abundance.  Help us to reflect that love into our families and communities...Amen 

Thought for the Day: Grow!! Get out of your comfort zone and do what isn’t easy to do.  Foster God’s love in your heart and let it guide you.

                                    Dr. Jerel Chacko , Epiphany MTC, NewYork.

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