Monday, December 31, 2012 The Transfiguration

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, December 31, 2012       The Transfiguration

Page 143-144         Matthew 17:1-13; Mark9:2-13; Luke 9:28-38

The ultimate reality for the children of God is captured in the eloquent prose of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8, which concludes with the affirmation that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39b). There is however a lesser reality; often we feel separated from God. To help us see the ultimate reality of God’s presence, the Bible sometimes uses an apocalyptic literary style. Apocalypse means revelation, and this literary style is a method of pulling back the curtain, so that we can see the behind the scenes action of God. The account of the transfiguration of Jesus is an example of this literary style.

The account parallels Moses’ assent to a mountain top to encounter God (Exodus 24), which reveals that as Moses led the exodus of God’s people out of oppression and slavery, Jesus is leading the second exodus; God’s people are being set free from slavery to sin and death. Both mountain top encounters occurred after a period of six days, both Moses and Jesus had their appearance changed and both heard God speak from a cloud.

When Moses and Elijah appear in the vision, the pulled back curtain reveals the continuity of God acting through the Old Testament Law and Prophets to fulfill His mission to save humankind. When Jesus is left standing alone, we see that Jesus is now the fulfillment of all of God’s saving actions. When Jesus walked up the mountain, his appearance was that of an ordinary man. When Jesus “was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light,” (Matthew 17:2) the pulled back curtain reveals that “though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7). When God spoke, affirming again as He did at Jesus’ baptism that Jesus was His dearly loved Son, who brings Him great joy, He adds a declaratory statement, “Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

Familiarity breeds contempt. Perhaps that explains how Peter could have followed his confession of faith in Caesarea Philippi by taking Jesus aside to reprimand him for saying he would be crucified in Jerusalem. Now Peter has heard God command obedience to Jesus. Is there any wonder why the disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground? (Matthew 17:6)

Most of the time God keeps the curtain pulled closed, because we couldn’t stand it otherwise. Even so, the writer of Hebrews calls to never forget to “give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;  for indeed our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28b-29).

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, January 01, 2013          My Disciples Could Not Heal       

Page 144-145         Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43a

Friday, December 28, 2012 Simon Peter's Revelation and Rebuke

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Friday, December 28, 2012          Simon Peter's Revelation and Rebuke   

Page 142-143         Matthew 16:13-28; Mark 8:27 - 9:1; Luke 9:18-27

Jesus is in Caesarea Philippi, which is due north of the Sea of Galilee near Mt. Hermon and the head waters of the Jordan River. The town has a Roman name because there was a temple built to the Roman god, the Emperor. Against this backdrop, Jesus asked his disciples “who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.” The Jews expected their Messiah to do three things. First, he will cleanse the Temple. Second, he will defeat the occupying Roman army. Third, as the true and final King of Israel, he will rule the entire world with truth and justice.

When Jesus begins to explain how his ministry will end, Peter objects. Peter understands that Jesus is the Messiah; he doesn’t yet understand how or why the King of Israel must be killed. Jesus wasn’t crucified because he came to save people from their sins. It was because of Jesus’ claim that he was Messiah – King that the Jews insisted he had to die.

I believe Jesus makes it clear that there is a cost to discipleship, and that not all people will be willing to pay that cost. There is no simple formula to calculate this cost, but Jesus does want us to know we are secure in his grasp. He wants us to have the assurance of our faith, he wants us to rest in the knowledge he has us securely in his hand. We cannot earn this security; it is a gift of God. Just as God authored Peter’s confession, so also will God reveal to you the rock of our salvation: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

“Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out” (Matthew 16: 17-18 The Message).

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, December 31, 2012       The Transfiguration

Page 143-144         Matthew 17:1-13; Mark9:2-13; Luke 9:28-38

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Thursday, December 27, 2012     I Restored a Blind Man's Sight    

Page 141-142         Mark 8:22-26

In the preceding passage Jesus admonished his disciples, “You have eyes—can’t you see?” (Mark 8:19).  The lack of vision by the disciples is followed by Jesus restoring the sight of the blind man. There are some interesting parallels in how this story unfolds and in the following episode where Peter will make his confession of faith. In both cases there is a two-step process and in both cases, Jesus moves away from other people. Taking the man outside the village was a way of putting the spotlight on Jesus and the man. The two-step process in the healing illustrates that growing in faith does not happen all at once.

Two passages of scripture are helpful in seeing how Jesus’ two-step healing of the blind man is a metaphor for our need of divine help in answering Jesus when he asks us, “Who do you say I am?” The Apostle Paul warns us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12b NRSV) and in 1 Corinthians 12:3b Paul writes, “no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”

Our culture has trivialized into cutesy sayings much of the doctrinal foundations of the Christian faith. But becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus is very hard work. The renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) is as much a matter of unlearning the ways of the world as it is learning the ways of Christ. I intently believe there can come a moment in our lives where we know, but we know, but we know to the very depths of our being that Jesus is Lord. We can only get to this place with the help and with the power of the Holy Spirit. But when we do, we live in that most wonderful of places where we know, but we know, but we know to the very depths of our being that we are safe and secure for all eternity in the hands of Christ Jesus our Shepherd, Savior and Lord. (See John 10:27-30)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Friday, December 28, 2012          Simon Peter's Revelation and Rebuke   

Page 142-143         Matthew 16:13-28; Mark 8:27 - 9:1; Luke 9:18-27

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Wednesday, December 26, 2012 The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees Page 140-141        Matthew 16:1-12; Mark 8:11-21

The religious leaders knew Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God was a danger to their status quo. They were greatly annoyed with Jesus because he had much to say about the abuse of their authority over the people. Asking for signs was their way of dismissing Jesus.

The disciples were still maturing in their faith journey and had much yet to learn. Their eyes were on the meager amount of food they had, and thus, when Jesus warned them about the ‘yeast’ of the religious leaders, they didn’t understand. When Jesus reminded the disciples of feeding the five thousand and the four thousand, he was challenging them to put into practice his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount:

 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:31-33).

When the disciples stopped worrying about food, they recognized that Jesus was showing them that the religious leaders were missing the Kingdom of God because of their self-centered ways.

Charles Sheldon's inspirational book, In His Steps, explains what could happen if we asked ourselves, 'What would Jesus do?' Many years ago a youth group in the Midwest tried to live out that idea. Pretty soon WWJD bracelets and necklaces were available everywhere, and what began as a serious effort to be committed followers of Jesus was trivialized into a cutesy saying.

Jesus calls his followers to join him in a great adventure to bring the Kingdom of God to our world. Yet, far too often, His followers have exchanged their opportunity of an adventurous journey for membership in a religious club that meets on Sundays for coffee and conversation. It is easy to tell when we are slipping into the realm of trivialization. Take a moment to consider where you spend your money and your free time. When you daydream, where do your thoughts take you? In those three realms of your life, where do you see the Kingdom of God?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Thursday, December 27, 2012     I Restored a Blind Man's Sight    

Page 141-142         Mark 8:22-26