Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Joyful expectation of Christ coming

2 Samuel 18: 24-33
 
Vs 33 - The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
 

The advent of Jesus Christ has given hope and peace to the world. The coming of Jesus Christ had been foretold by the prophets (Acts 3:18, 10:13; Lk: 24: 44, 46, 47; Jn. 5:33). The birth of Christ, His ministry, His resurrection, his Second Coming - all these have been already prophesied by the Old Testament prophets.
In 2 Samuel, 18:33, we see King David lamenting the death of his son Absalom. We know King David was one of the greatest Kings of Israel and his life was a paragon of all the virtues of leadership. Yet, it was this same David who yielded to the passions of the flesh, who committed adultery and who amassed deceit upon deceit to try to cover up his treachery. Thus, it is not difficult to understand why the growing disrespect Absalom had for his father exploded into rebellion and eventually motivated him to attempt to put his father out of power and gain the throne himself.
Even as messengers bring the good news about the  battle, David was concerned about the well-being of his son Absalom. Here we see a father’s unconditional  love for his son. David loved him dearly, even though Absalom had committed serious sins. Eventually, he understands the price for this victory in battle is the death of his precious son.
Our heavenly father send his only son, Jesus Christ  who was blameless and sinless to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. All we have to do is to believe in him, but as the scripture reminds us he will come again to judge both the living and the dead. The Church affirms this faith through the words of both Apostles and Nicene Creed. 
Acts 1:11.tells us our Lord will come back the same way ascended into heaven. St. Paul elaborates the second coming of Christ in 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:16-18 and 5:1-3. The greatest hope of a Christian believer is that Christ will come again, and those who are living at that time will be gathered up to meet the Lord in the air, who will then reward us according to our deeds. The meditation about the coming of Christ should not be forgotten after the Christmas celebrations. Rather we should be encouraged to wait upon daily for the coming of the Lord.

PRAYER
Lord, help us to lead a life pleasing to you, so that You would find us blameless and holy on the day of your return.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled...In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
 
Anish Thomas
Marthoma Church of Greater Washington
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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