Luke 9:18-36
"Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.' " (9:18-20)
I heard this testimony recently: For many years, Cynthia went to church and heard sermons based on the Bible. These preachers told her she was sinful and, therefore, evil, and without major changes in her life, she was destined to live an earthly life in turmoil, and an eternal life in hell. Cynthia decided that God didn't love her, and the Bible was clearly a book of hate.
But then she was challenged: "Read the Bible for yourself". So she started with the Gospels - the stories of Jesus, who loved regardless of race, gender, or social standing. She read Paul's letters - testimonies of lives changed by encountering the Living God. She even ventured into the Old Testament, and learned how God had loved His people, even before time began.
Cynthia had been listening to the Biblical opinions of others, third hand interpretations, coloured with personal bias and intentions. But in reading the Bible for herself, she learned that God is love, and the Bible is a love story.
In today's reading, Jesus asks His apostles to shape their own opinions. The crowd has their own thoughts about His true nature. But Jesus was essentially saying, "You know me better than anyone - Use that knowledge and make up your own minds."
Like Peter, each of us is invited into a personal relationship with Jesus. We have the opportunity to get to know Him through prayer, the Bible, hymns, and personal experience. The world will always have differing opinions on the concept of Jesus. Even Christians will have mixed thoughts on the nature of God.
But Jesus is asking us to step away from the crowd, and discover Him for ourselves.
Question: What are some secular ideas about Jesus? What are your personal thoughts on the nature of God?
Tomorrow's reading: Luke 9:37-62
(Today's post written by Allison Lynn.)
posted by Allison Lynn @ 8:06 AM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
HI A.L. & Friends: I commented but me think's it got lost: it went something like this, but not certain. Cynthia, story is familiar, and ring's an older bell. As an choir boy, opposite pew, the [2] best soprano friends, let's call them Peter/Ted, for they were. Often in best voice, and competitive maybe by accident in rehersals. An essential, but non-spiritual, favourite song was;
Who Is Sylvia, I Am She, for Such...an wonderful, melodic delight, joy. Maybe the analogy to Cynthia, could end their, there something like beg's the question...Who, Do You Say That I Am.
For, they both may have an problem of vanity, selfishness, and desire to be the center of attention.
Somewhere, we have to 're-start', and Lent is no better place, this scripture reading to-day no better place to connect, or 're-connect', with Jesus.
Although, the Sin is so much an personal thing that separates all here from God. So is the Design of the Will, with potential, to so change that all.
The key thing is to 'alway's remember', Jesus is the connection to God. For he is God, and in is nature...we are to examine our 'connection', possibly best through the WORD, stated here, 'Son of Man'.
Your's, my friend's, ALL here, self, should never get discourag'd for long, for even these good Apostles, not knowing, 'failed'.
For, awhile an nearby an very 'transfiguration-miracle' was happening while they in 'great-shade', were aslumber.
By portense for them, could this happen to us? And we awake, and say, "Master how good it is we are here". Echo'd, '3 tent's you say'; for we can sing, we can take up collection, we can re-build the spire.
But, all that was heard, an loud voice over - This is my Son, in whom I am well-pleased, chosen---listen to HIM.
WHEN the voice stopped, QUIET had to be there. And Jesus was all alone. Surely, those good apostles, were 'scared an little', for they even told no one, [but at that time].
So, for us even...amidst this miracle...which they at best got the 'tail end of it'...thumping on their head's, an little, to best, re-awaken only.
But if not for them, an example for US...for even here an example for 'many'.
On Your Knee, or an empty pew there, an example now for many....to what....not be discourag'd completely, for you too can make big errors, big failure's. And, in the spate of it all, said here, the sin or oversight, 'cut it short'.
Will yourself, to think good thing's, Will yourself to listen, in your Mind, and in your Heart. To some of these incident's made known known, not lost, as example's, for you. [Cynthia] as we read for us all.
The SON. For God so loved the world, for US. Now, what are we going to do about it?
No wonder I get just an little excited about it, when I read, and study the word.
Your, observations, interpretation, story unfold is also quite helpful....in finding this elusive, personal God.
Blessing's again;
+ @ T
i
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