[Daily Devotion] October 11th, 2017

[Daily Devotion] October 11th, 2017

Today's Scripture

Matthew 16:13-20

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[b] and on this rock[c] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[d] the Messiah.[e]

Rich's Devotion

What Does the Passage Say?

Jesus asks the disciples, “What are people saying about who the son of Man is ?”.  Then he wants to know who they think he is. Peter gives the answer, “the Christ, the messiah, the son of the living God”. Jesus says he didn’t get that answer from any book but from My Father in heaven, God himself. Peter’s devotion to God has revealed this secret to him so now Jesus is going to tell Peter who he is.” You Peter, a 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.  And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s Kingdom, keys to open any and every door. No more barriers between heaven and earth. A yes on earth is a yes in heaven. A no on earth is a no in heaven.”- The Message

What Does the passage Mean to Me/Us?

Have you ever formed an opinion of someone from the way they look or perceived what type of person they are from how they said hello to you. Do you have an opinion about a celebrity you have never met based on how you see them on TV or what is written about them? The other day I realized how wrong these preconceived notions can be. I haven’t particularly cared for Deshaun Watson because in college he played football for a team I don’t particularly care for. But last week I actually had Deshaun show me who he was and I realized how wrong I could be. Now playing for the Houston Texan’s, He gave his first game check, over $100,000 to 3 stadium cafeteria workers who have been affected by the hurricane.

Many of the people observing Jesus didn’t really know him or what was going on and Jesus knew this. They sensed something great but hadn’t really given the time or devoted themselves to him enough to really know him like Peter and the other disciples. The same thing can happen to us. We can hear stories, read the bible and even with the spoiler alert, he died for our sins, still not really know him. Last week a Pastor in Elon, NC asked me if the Jesus I knew was the same Jesus that was pursuing me. It’s the same question Jesus asked the disciples. Who do you think I am? Am I the “Jesus” you want me to be or am I the Jesus that you will serve as your savior and Lord? Bottom line, Jesus wants for us the same thing he wanted for the disciples. To have such a deep relationship with him that we will be empowered to lead others to him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for the holy spirit to guide us and strengthen us to do your work for those who need to see your love and grace in our community. We pray this through your son Jesus Christ – Amen

 

Submitted by Rich McGimsey

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