Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sing praise to the God of Salvation

Rev. Thomas John

Vicar
St. Andrew’s Mar Thoma Church
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39

In this passage we see how Jesus and His disciples reach the region of Gerasene and come face to face with a demon-possessed man. When Jesus enquires his name, this man gives his name as Legion because he is possessed by numerous demons who are tearing his life apart. He does not have any other identity or name. We could very well imagine that this man would have initially had a name, a family and people who cared for him. Also this passage mentions that this man had immense physical strength. But it is sad that because of his inner demons, he has now run away from his family and community. He has used his great strength to break away from them and hurt himself. He had become a nuisance to himself and others. His dwelling is now among the tombs.

Jesus goes out of His way to reach out to this man in a gentile territory. Whereas others would have tried to run away or confine the man, Jesus reaches out with compassion and delivers him from the clutches of his demons. The people notice a dramatic change in the man after Jesus delivers him. Earlier he was naked, shameless, a horrific sight to see, harming himself and his community. Whereas now he is clothed, seated still, and in his right mind.

Having experienced the love of God, he takes the decision to follow Christ. Jesus sends him back to the community and family whom he had hurt. Now his place was no longer among the dead. Jesus had offered him salvation and he was to be a witness of this salvation among his people. From that day on, he used his strength, his relationships, his power and his words among his own people to proclaim what the Lord had done.

We have all experienced the saving grace of God. Our family, having people to love and be loved, health, power, our ability and talent – all these are precious gifts from God. Often we take such things for granted. But God has reached down to us and bestowed us with so much. It is upto us to acknowledge those blessings by witnessing for Christ. May our words and work be our offering of thanks to God.  

PRAYER


Heavenly Father, We thank You for all the blessings that You have given us. Help us never to take it for granted. Help us to responsibly care for our health, our family and relationships, our talents and abilities and witness for You through our words and actions. In Jesus’s name…Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 

“What is life if it is not to love,

what is love if it is not for service,

what is service if it is not for Christ”

-Anonymous

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