Today's Reading: Luke 9
Today's Focus: Vs. 7-9, and 18-20
Author: [From 2020 archived devotional]
As you read this, I hope you're starting to see the importance of the connection between Elijah/John/Jesus.
In verse 7-9, Herod himself was astonished by what he is hearing. There's rumbling that Elijah had appeared, or that one of the dead prophets had risen. Apparently, the rumor must have tied Elijah to John, because Herod replies "John I beheaded. So it can't be him. I can debunk those rumors. But who is this guy?!" Verse 9 tells us, "he sought to see [Jesus]."
Then we jump to verse 18. Jesus is alone with his disciples. "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And we see the rumors that had been spreading around the city surface: They answered, "John the Baptist. But others say Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen."
Jesus is aware of the rumors. He wants to know who the disciples think He is. Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Or according to Matthew, Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16).
Both Herod and Peter knew that the rumors were false. But only Peter knew the true identity of Jesus. How did Peter know? Was this lowly fisherman wiser than the great king Herod? By human standards, no. However, Jesus' response to Simon's confession deserves our attention:
"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." (Mt. 16:17)
My prayer for you is that the Father would reveal to you the beauty of Jesus. He is not a mere teacher. He is not a social justice protester. He is not a nationalist or patriot. He is not a self-help guru. He is not your therapist. He is not going to make all your problems go away.
He is the Christ, the promised Messiah. He is the one who died on our behalf. He is the one who was raised back to life so that we, too, may have hope in a resurrection. He is the beloved and cherished Son of God Most High.
As you pray for your unbelieving friends/family/neighbor this season, may you point to the manger and also to the cross in declaring the identity of Christ. Then drop to your knees and earnestly pray that the Father who is in Heaven would reveal this to their hearts.
Today's Focus: Vs. 7-9, and 18-20
Author: [From 2020 archived devotional]
As you read this, I hope you're starting to see the importance of the connection between Elijah/John/Jesus.
In verse 7-9, Herod himself was astonished by what he is hearing. There's rumbling that Elijah had appeared, or that one of the dead prophets had risen. Apparently, the rumor must have tied Elijah to John, because Herod replies "John I beheaded. So it can't be him. I can debunk those rumors. But who is this guy?!" Verse 9 tells us, "he sought to see [Jesus]."
Then we jump to verse 18. Jesus is alone with his disciples. "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And we see the rumors that had been spreading around the city surface: They answered, "John the Baptist. But others say Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen."
Jesus is aware of the rumors. He wants to know who the disciples think He is. Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Or according to Matthew, Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16).
Both Herod and Peter knew that the rumors were false. But only Peter knew the true identity of Jesus. How did Peter know? Was this lowly fisherman wiser than the great king Herod? By human standards, no. However, Jesus' response to Simon's confession deserves our attention:
"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." (Mt. 16:17)
My prayer for you is that the Father would reveal to you the beauty of Jesus. He is not a mere teacher. He is not a social justice protester. He is not a nationalist or patriot. He is not a self-help guru. He is not your therapist. He is not going to make all your problems go away.
He is the Christ, the promised Messiah. He is the one who died on our behalf. He is the one who was raised back to life so that we, too, may have hope in a resurrection. He is the beloved and cherished Son of God Most High.
As you pray for your unbelieving friends/family/neighbor this season, may you point to the manger and also to the cross in declaring the identity of Christ. Then drop to your knees and earnestly pray that the Father who is in Heaven would reveal this to their hearts.
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