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 from this passage are to be emphasized.
Separated for a difference: When God appointed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, God commanded to wash and cleanse them as a mark of purification. God also commanded them to come to his presence with a special sacred dress and consecrated them to serve the Lord. All these verses emphasize a separated way of living and a different life style. Priests are chosen to lead a life with a difference, a life of purity, and a life solely dedicated to serve the Lord. This difference has to help and encourage the people to subscribe to a life with a difference. What makes a Christian different in this world is this difference in the life styles and in the attitudes.
Anointed to anoint: God commanded Moses to anoint the sons of Aaron and separate them as priests. This anointing is for a particular purpose and for a special ministry. A priest is anointed to anoint his people for the diversified ministry of the church. Ordained ministry is one of the ministries of the church but the people are to be equipped and anointed for the diversified ministries of the church. The ministry of the laity is to go hand in hand with the ministry of the priest. All the people of God are co - workers with God in His kingdom. So the priest's duty is to anoint the other people of God in Holy Spirit to be partners in His ministry.

Let us dedicate for this partnership in ministry. Both the priests and the lay people have a ministry in the church and it is a ministry of working together. Let us strive together to establish God's kingdom by establishing a difference in life and ministry. Let us equip and anoint each other for this ministry.
Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for the diversified ministries of the church and we pray to give us the courage and help for the combined ministry of priests.Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Every Priest should grow up to the image of Christ.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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