Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Priests: Called for the Divine Ministry.
“ Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests”(V.1)
The Priests were the mediators between God and the nation Israel. They represented the people to God by offering sacrifices, by leading worship and praying for divine guidance. They also represented God to the people, for the priests instructed Israel in God’s law, were channels through which God communicated His will.
The Holy garments not only distinguished the priests from people but showed the glory of the divine majesty and the mark of the minister without which the ministration and person will be had in contempt. Today each Christian is a priest with direct access to God. But priesthood is a special call for divine ministry.
(1). Priestly ministry is not the designation of the community but a call and a ministry which comes from the Lord Himself (v.1). Priesthood is not a personal possession or a privilege in human sense. Priesthood is a call to ministry to be a minister of Jesus Christ.
(2). The Priest is the one who inspires others (v4). Service was part of the outfit. The Priest by definition is a servant. The priest is a channel to lift up others from lowly conditions, to inspire the people to higher aspirations, to provoke people to noble virtues and raise the consciousness of humankind. A Priest should feel the suffering of others and elevate them by encouraging them to find the way out of it. The Priest exhorts others to “ lift up your eyes unto the heavens and behold the glory of God”.
(3). Priest is to be a cause of encouraging and stimulating holiness in the heart of others (v 38). He does so in 3 ways, by fulfilling the role of public ministry, by teaching the word of God and by the example of his life. His whole mission is to make sure the people are accepted before the Lord.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, help we the Ministers in Thy church, to be faithful stewards in your Vineyard……..Amen
Thought for the day: Priest is a bridge builder.

Rev.Saji Thomas, Sehion MTC, Texas

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

-
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

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