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

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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?

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(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.)

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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