Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Be Witnesses of the Risen Lord

Gen 33:1-11
 

...for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favor. 


The Cross and the Risen Savior demonstrate the gospel of harmony and peace between the child of God and the God in heaven. Harmony with God is expressed in and through the harmonious interactions with our fellow beings and the wider family of God. Christians are called to be agents of reconciliation as they are considered witnesses and messengers of the resurrected Lord. Our text today presents the reconciliation of two brothers, Jacob and Esau. It is a beautiful comparison of the complete change that takes place in us when we encounter the Risen Lord and his Cross. Both of these men have a change of heart which brings about the reconciliation between them.
Jacob was reared up with ambitions to be greater than Esau, his older twin-brother. As advised by his mother Rebekah, Jacob tricked both Esau and his father, Isaac and deceivingly received the blessing of the firstborn from his father. It is quite weird that they who shared a common space in their mother’s womb could not tolerate each other as they grew up. This rivalry reached its peak when Esau swore that he would kill Jacob. In an attempt to escape the wrath of Esau, Jacob fled from his home to spend the rest of his life apart from his brother.
However, Jacob reminds us that we cannot run away from our responsibility or our problem forever but has to reach a point of reconciliation. Wrongs against society and against one another require forgiveness before God and people. He is told directly, "Go back to the land of your fathers" to which Jacob never argues. During the journey back, the time of prayer leads to a time of intense struggle in the dark hours of night. Jacob seems to be struggling both with God and with himself. He is struggling to submit his will to God. And when he does that, he enjoys the blessing of reconciliation. Jacob knew that he had done wrong to his brother and that he had to make it right. They had to meet and it was never a meeting in the accusatory or revenge seeking mode. Jacob humbled himself before his brother. He acknowledged that he had done the wrong and that marks the beginning of reconciliation.
Romans 5:10 reads, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” The encounter with the risen Lord can be the catalyst to enter into reconciliation with our fellow beings.
 
Prayer
Help me Lord, to see others through your eyes, and to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of each person, even those who have hurt me. Give me the courage to reach out and initiate reconciliation, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable. Amen.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"There is no reconciliation until you recognize the dignity of the other, until you see their view- you have to enter into the pain of the people. You've got to feel their need." - John Paul II


Sherin Mary Jacob
Boston Carmel Mar Thoma Church
       

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