Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Christ who restores
Mark 10:46-52
Vs 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. 
During Jesus’s ministry of teaching, preaching and healing we often see Him making people whole. Through his three-fold ministry he emphasizes on restoring people and relationships that become damaged beyond repair, defaced beyond recognition and lost beyond scope of return.
The above passage has to be seen in the context of Jesus’s prediction and preparation for his suffering and death. In Mark 10:32, He is seen walking resolutely towards Jerusalem, with purpose, whereas the disciples are bewildered. It is in such a situation that they encounter Bartimaeus. I would like to bring out two thoughts that show Christ as the one who restores people to wholeness.
 
  1. Being restored in sight
The disciples who were following Jesus along the way would not have entirely realized the significance of Jesus’s prediction of his death. Yet they could realize that Jesus’s ministry was coming to a climax in Jerusalem. Perhaps, they expected Jesus to establish an earthly Jewish kingdom, now that he had a lot of support among the masses. So, when they were hurrying on to Jerusalem, the cry of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, to halt and show him some mercy comes as an obstacle for them. But what others saw as an obstacle, Jesus saw as an occasion for restoration. Bartimaeus, though blind, had recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the son of David, who alone could restore his eyesight. That is why Jesus heeded his plaintive cry among the entire throng of beggars who would have been begging for alms along the road to Jerusalem that festive season. Jesus restored his sight.
 
  1. Being restored in discipleship
Let us examine the wider context in which the Evangelist Mark has placed this passage. This incident happens after a rich young man and James and John come to Jesus with their requests. Bartimaeus’s request is granted whereas theirs is denied. James and John were looking for positions. The rich young man was looking for eternal life. But Jesus countered their requests, showing them how they lacked true discipleship. The rich young man wouldn’t let go of many things he held dear to go and follow Jesus. James and John felt that as a reward for following Jesus, they deserved positions in Jesus’s kingdom. Jesus’s conversation with them and the young man showed that discipleship involved giving up and sacrifice – all for the sake of Christ. Christ did not promise worldly comfort. And he was not looking for people who would follow him just for those comforts. Rather he wanted people who grew in discipleship and willingly committed their life fully to it. True disciples would have to follow Jesus on the path to the cross. They would have to sacrifice themselves to redeem and restore humanity to God.

Today are we ready to grow in our relationship with Christ? Do we yearn to follow him closely on the path to discipleship? Then we have to walk the narrow path of self-sacrifice and commitment. Jesus has to grow in us as we diminish and commit our selves to him.
PRAYER
Lord, grow in me as I diminish. Help me to be faithful to you and walk along the path of the cross, so that my life would be a pleasing sacrifice for you. Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.
- Rick Warren
Rev. Thomas John, Carmel MTC, Boston
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

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